GEMS plans Georgia school opening for 2029
International group follows up Zanzibar school announcement with foray into Eastern Europe.
Phillipson doing ‘bad job’ as education secretary, NEU members say
Biggest teaching union calls for ‘new leadership’ at the DfE, with members rating Bridget Phillipson even lower than the outgoing prime minister.
International education champion defends Ofqual over teachers’ grades
Sir Steve Smith writes to international school associations praising the work of schools during the war in the Middle East, and apparently addressing concerns about Ofqual’s refusal to accept teacher-assessed grades.
Heads ‘overwhelmingly negative’ about new Ofsted inspections
Revamped Ofsted inspections have left headteachers feeling “overwhelmingly negative” about the visits with some vowing to quit the profession, an independent survey has found.
Ofsted’s FE chief ‘confident’ more ITPs will secure elusive exceptional grade
Ofsted’s top ‘exceptional’ grade is not out of reach for independent training providers, the inspectorate’s new FE chief has said, despite only one provider achieving the feat since the new regime launched eight months ago.
City College Norwich CEO to step down
City College Norwich’s principal Jerry White will step down this summer.
Apprenticeship funding band review ordered by skills minister
A review of apprenticeship funding bands has been launched as an “immediate priority” by the government, with Skills England ordered to identify which standards should be first in line for “potential funding uplifts”.
Why is the government celebrating 1,900 fewer teachers?
The DfE says it has recruited 4,654 new teachers towards it election pledge target of 6,500. But the latest workforce data shows 1,900 fewer teachers this year. Daniel Kebede scrutinises the government’s claim.
Qualified Teacher Status could replace Early Years Teacher Status, Government consultation reveals
Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) could be replaced by Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as part of plans put forward in a Department for Education consultation.
Thousands back campaign to prevent proposed closure of South Tyneside Council nurseries
More than 4,000 people have signed a petition urging South Tyneside Council to reconsider plans to review its early years provision, which campaigners fear could lead to the closure of as many as 12 nurseries based inside Family Hubs.
SDG measures ‘meaningless at grassroots level’
Universities’ contribution to a sustainable world will remain ‘patchy’ until they become less ‘stuck’ in metrics and better at talking to their communities.
York v-c Charlie Jeffery to lead University of Southampton
University of York leader will switch to fellow Russell Group member in October after seven years in charge.
Starmer’s departure ‘leaves university challenges unresolved’
Prime minister fell short of pre-election promise to stabilise higher education sector as focus shifted to other priorities, say policy experts.
Paternity leave ‘shockingly low’ at several UK universities
Campaigners call for institutions to commit to giving new dads six weeks off as audit reveals stark differences in entitlements across sector.
UK ‘may live to regret’ loss of Turing exchange scheme
Focus on widening participation and shorter exchanges difficult to replicate in wider Erasmus programme, experts fear.
English test options ‘confusing’ international students
Range of current providers and questions around which assessment is best requires greater clarity from universities, UKCISA warns.
Inclusion without a structural lens just reproduces exclusion
With universities relying on disclosure models and deficit framing to address awarding gaps, Emma Gaunt argues that racism and ableism aren't distortions of the system – they're built into it.
English language requirements are about more than getting in
With sector debate about English language requirements often driven by anecdote and risk, Yinbo Yu presents findings from new UKCISA research – and argues the conversation needs to start from diversity, not assumption.
Scotland and Wales to pilot phone outreach for international graduates
A new graduate outcomes pilot will contact international alumni by telephone from December 2026 as the sector seeks stronger evidence of graduate outcomes beyond the UK.
Badly behaving pupils should not be banished to special needs areas as punishment, says Bridget Phillipson
Badly behaved pupils should not be banished to special needs areas as a punishment, Bridget Phillipson has warned teachers.