Education news
7 November
Curriculum & qualifications
New curriculum to be introduced in 2028 as review published
Government also commits to scrapping the EBacc and making citizenship compulsory in primary schools
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curriculum-to-be-introduced-in-2028-as-review-published/
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/curriculum-and-assessment-review-key-recommendations
Curriculum review: The subject-specific policy proposals
Mandatory citizenship, RE in the national curriculum and triple science entitlement: the key subject recommendations from the Francis review
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-review-the-subject-specific-policy-proposals/
Interview: Becky Francis on the big ideas in her curriculum review
Review chair explains her thinking behind major policies including year 8 tests, scrapping the EBacc and a triple science entitlement – here’s the interview in full
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-becky-francis-on-the-big-ideas-in-her-curriculum-review/
DfE ignores Francis review and proposes sweeping progress 8 reform
Government pledges reforms to subject make-up of key secondary school league table measure – despite curriculum review calling for no changes
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-ignores-francis-review-and-proposes-sweeping-progress-8-reform/
Francis review: the recommendations rejected by government
The DfE wants full rather than phased implementation of curriculum reform – from 2028 – and puts the brakes on inclusion of RE in the national curriculum
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/curriculum-review-recommendations-rejected-government
Ministers will put RE on national curriculum – but sector must ‘reach consensus’
Government to set up taskforce to oversee the change, but only if sector reaches ‘consensus on whether this is achievable’
Triple science pledge will require more specialist teachers, admits Phillipson
Experts say chronic science recruitment and staffing issues pose significant obstacles to triple science entitlement plan
Leaders criticise curriculum review ‘dumbing down’ claims
But some point to concerns that it could cause a dip in language take-up
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-criticise-curriculum-review-dumbing-down-claims/
Ofqual won’t publish modelling on 10% exam time cut
Ofqual told review the reduction – which works out as cutting 10 percent of exam time on average – was ‘feasible with current content levels’
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-wont-publish-modelling-on-10-exam-time-cut/
‘Another expectation’: Schools to be judged on enrichment benchmarks
Leaders demand support to meet new expectations as more than a quarter of schools cut extracurricular activity funding in past year
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/another-expectation-schools-to-be-judged-on-enrichment-benchmarks/
Labour accused of ‘educational vandalism’ as it moves to ‘dumb down’ curriculum by scrapping flagship Tory drive towards ‘tough’ GCSEs in favour of ‘Mickey Mouse’ subjects
My verdict on the ‘woke’ review of England’s school curriculum? It isn’t radical enough
Ofsted
Ofsted: 7 findings from pilot inspections
The schools watchdog has published findings from its pilot of new report card inspections, along with the changes it plans to make. Here is everything you need to know
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-findings-tests-of-new-inspections
High Court rejects NAHT’s Ofsted report card challenge
Leaders’ union to consider appeal and will consult members on industrial action after judicial review application refused
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/high-court-rejects-nahts-ofsted-report-card-challenge/
Ofsted tweaks inspection framework just days before roll-out
Changes come after concerts in pilot inspections over increased workload, pressure on staff and how achievement is evaluated
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-tweaks-inspection-framework-just-days-before-roll-out/
Teacher retention and recruitment
Multi-year pay recommendation: all you need to know
The government has proposed that teachers get a 6.5 per cent pay award over the next three years. Tes sets out all the key information about the DfE’s provisional offer
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/multi-year-pay-recommendation-all-you-need-know
10 things we learned from DfE teacher pay evidence
Department believes schools can make savings by looking at composition of leadership teams and deployment of support staff
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/10-things-we-learned-from-dfe-teacher-pay-evidence/
Can schools really afford to cut assistant heads?
Ministers point to rising numbers of assistant heads in cost-cutting advice. What’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/can-schools-really-afford-to-cut-assistant-heads/
Inclusion
Government ‘will struggle to fix SEND crisis by 2029’
The government’s approach to SEND reform is ‘disjointed’ and its ambitions will be restricted by the budget it has set for this parliament, new analysis warns
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/government-will-struggle-solve-send-crisis
DfE plans £3m SEND research centre
Ministers look to pilot an ‘education neuroscience research centre’ to help inform policymaking in key reform areas
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m-send-research-centre/
Heads say SEND league tables won’t improve provision
Leaders’ union warns the priority should be properly resourcing schools to deliver SEND provision
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/heads-say-send-league-tables-wont-improve-provision/
Equalities
I’m a teenager who was lured into the manosphere. Here’s how to reach young men like me: Josh Sargent
Embed diversity and antiracism into teacher training, DfE told
Teacher training providers also call on government to set up a national body for early career and trainee teachers
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/embed-diversity-antiracism-teacher-training-dfe-told
Disadvantage
Call for schools to have FSM pupil places quota
Giving pupils who receive free school meals priority for 15 per cent of places in schools could create a more equitable admissions system, researchers suggest
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/call-schools-fsm-pupil-places-quota
Appoint staff contact for uniform issues, schools told
New guidance also suggests rules banning ‘visible logos’ on PE kit to reduce ‘pressure to wear designer gear’
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/appoint-staff-contact-for-uniform-issues-schools-told/
Tech
AI qualification at risk of rapid obsolescence, warns exam chief
In an exclusive interview, AQA chief Colin Hughes warns that an AI qualification stemming from this week’s curriculum and assessment review may not have a long-term future
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/colin-hughes-aqa-ai-qualification-curriculum-review
Early Years
Early years recruitment not boosted by DfE payments
A government pilot scheme offering £1,000 payments to attract early years staff resulted in fewer applicants than expected, a review shows
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/early-years/dfe-payments-fail-to-improve-early-years-recruitment
Policy-making
DfE seeks teachers for policy ‘sounding board’
The government is looking for primary and secondary teachers to join the latest cohort of its Teacher Reference Group
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/government-reference-group-teachers-policy
__________
For the news archive, please visit: my.chartered.college/education-news-archive