News Sources - EdCentral - Results from #280

Drawing on new evidence, this blog examines the decline in young people’s optimism about work, success and social mobility, and argues for a new deal to rebuild trust in Britain’s social contract.

Nearly half (45 per cent) of the children surveyed in a new report from researchers at LSE and the University of Oslo said age-based restrictions on social media would not make them feel any safer online.

Nearly half (44 per cent) of the gap between the GCSE results of disadvantaged pupils and their peers already exists at age 11, according to new Education Policy Institute (EPI) and Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) research, underscoring the critical role of early years and...

Ofqual has fined Cambridge English £875,000 after it issued incorrect results to thousands of people who took English language tests, including those used for visa, immigration and university entrance purposes.

Thousands of young people across England will get protection against meningococcal B disease (MenB) through a one-off vaccination programme launching ahead of the 2026 academic year.

More qualified nursery teachers will be attracted to England’s most deprived communities with £4,500 bonuses – ensuring tens of thousands more children get the best start in life.

Revealed: the widening gender gap in MAT CEO pay

There has been a sharp rise in the salary gap between male and female leaders of the 100 biggest academy trusts, Tes analysis reveals.

Eastern trusts plan 42-school merged MAT

The Inspiring Futures through Learning trust and Chiltern Learning Trust hope to merge next year if their plan gets DfE approval.

NEU strike fund falls as teacher pay decision looms

Industrial action ballots have jumped by nearly two-thirds since 2023, the union’s latest accounts show, as redundancy disputes rise.

Natural history GCSE finally gets go-ahead

Landmark qualification to be made available in schools years after its initial target start date, with content to be decided after a 12-week consultation.

Number of pupils with EHCPs rises above half a million

The latest official data shows a 24 per cent increase in the number of pupils with an education, health and care plan in the past two years.

A-level music ‘could disappear’ after entries sink to record low

Tes analysis shows entries are down 41 per cent since 2013, with the government accused of showing ‘none of the action required’ to help music flourish.

Wanted: £70k leader for DfE’s new policy testing team

Ministers have begun their search for a “strategic” leader of a new team set up to test key policies from the schools white paper.

SATs markers given more time and money due to online glitches

Markers of year 6 SATs have been given more time to finish processing papers and a pay bonus, after facing weeks of technical glitches on a new Pearson-run system.

Minister suggests Ofsted could inspect new school food standards

New school food standards “will have to be monitored” by Ofsted, a health minister has suggested.

More cuts coming as energy bills soar, leaders warn

School leaders are warning of more cuts if ministers do not provide urgent help to cover surging energy bills caused by Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

DfE refuses to explain Gould’s 7,500 SEND experts claim

The government has refused to reveal how it calculated its need for 7,500 specialist SEND staff for its flagship £1.8 billion “experts at hand” service.

Weekly guide to who's new and who's leaving.

Smacking children could increase risk of bullying others as teens, research warns

Children who are victims of hitting as punishment in early childhood are more likely to bully others, including siblings, as teenagers, research finds.

‘Significant’ amount of data stolen in Nottingham cyberattack

Hundreds of thousands of email addresses understood to be affected in hack claimed by notorious ShinyHunters group.

Britain’s broken social contract: Young people have lost faith in their future

Social media bans risk excluding children from important opportunities rather than tackling harms, new report finds

44% of the GCSE disadvantage gap is locked in by age 11, first-of-its-kind research shows

Ofqual fines Cambridge English £875,000 after incorrect results for global English language tests

Thousands of young people to be offered two-dose MenB vaccine

£4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to deprived nurseries

Revealed: the widening gender gap in MAT CEO pay

Eastern trusts plan 42-school merged MAT

NEU strike fund falls as teacher pay decision looms

Natural history GCSE finally gets go-ahead

Number of pupils with EHCPs rises above half a million

A-level music ‘could disappear’ after entries sink to record low

Wanted: £70k leader for DfE’s new policy testing team

SATs markers given more time and money due to online glitches

Minister suggests Ofsted could inspect new school food standards

More cuts coming as energy bills soar, leaders warn

DfE refuses to explain Gould’s 7,500 SEND experts claim

Movers & Shakers: Edition 537

Smacking children could increase risk of bullying others as teens, research warns

‘Significant’ amount of data stolen in Nottingham cyberattack