Topics - EdCentral - Results from #220

In a landmark moment for education, young people will soon be able to grow the knowledge and skills they need for future careers shaped by science, technology and environmental change, as the new Natural History GCSE is one step closer to being taught in classrooms.

On Thursday 18 June, members of the House of Lords will debate tackling child poverty.

The Government is introducing a free one-off, time-limited MenB (meningococcal B) vaccination programme from July 2026 for young people.

The hidden costs for parents of children attending a prom

Parents are facing significant financial pressure as the cost of school proms can exceed £300 per child, a new survey reveals.

Unhealthy school food ‘fuels disruptive behaviour’

Findings come as the government’s consultation on school food standards closes, ahead of new rules in September.

King’s Birthday Honours: heads and MAT leaders recognised

Multi-academy trust CEOs and headteachers are among many education figures included in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

The key changes to Ofsted inspection for 2026-27

Ofsted publishes updated grading toolkits and guides for inspectors coming into effect from September.

DfE set to publish new enrichment benchmarks for schools

The government is set to publish enrichment benchmarks for schools this week, alongside announcing a £132.5 million scheme to fund activities in schools.

King’s birthday honours recognise school leaders

Headteachers, academy leaders, trustees, school support staff and charity leaders are among those recognised for their services to education in the King’s birthday honours.

Ofsted: The key changes to school inspection from September 2026

Ofsted inspectors will look more closely at whether pupils with “barriers to their learning or wellbeing” are achieving well in schools from September.

GCSE natural history: what schools need to know

Pupils will learn how to identify plants, animals and fungi, as well as learn about climate change and habitats, under subject content proposals for the new natural history GCSE.

DfE set to publish enrichment goals for colleges

Colleges will be included in new government enrichment benchmarks to be published this week, but ministers have not said they will be eligible for funding from a new £132.5 million activities scheme.

King’s birthday honours 2026: Damehood for ex-FE commissioner Shelagh Legrave

Former FE commissioner Shelagh Legrave has been made a dame in the King’s birthday honour list.

Ofsted to test new SEND inclusion cash plans

Colleges and training providers receiving new SEND inclusion funding will have to show inspectors how the money is improving outcomes for students under updated Ofsted rules coming into force this September.

Government rolls out emergency MenB vaccine scheme for students

Around one million young people will be offered a meningitis B (MenB) vaccination this summer under a one-off government programme aimed at preventing outbreaks in universities and residential further education colleges.

Surge in EHCPs fuels latest rise in SEND pupils, DfE data shows

The number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has risen by 5.2% to more than 1.8 million over the past year, according to data released by the Department for Education.

King’s Birthday Honours: top accolades for data science pioneers

University of Lancashire vice-chancellor and former chief executive of Advance HE also recognised in annual list.

Marking boycotters face heavy sanctions as assessments disrupted

Edinburgh extends pay deductions to those who refuse to cover for colleagues taking part in industrial action.

Universities too reliant on cuts to balance the books – Blunkett

Former education secretary says mergers the solution for institutions in financial crisis as he calls for more ‘ambition’ in higher education.

A look back at the last week in education, a peek at what's coming up, plus lots of other bits and...

New natural history GCSE to grow next generation of green careers

Lords debates tackling child poverty

Getting the MenB vaccine ahead of starting university or college

The hidden costs for parents of children attending a prom

Unhealthy school food ‘fuels disruptive behaviour’

King’s Birthday Honours: heads and MAT leaders recognised

The key changes to Ofsted inspection for 2026-27

DfE set to publish new enrichment benchmarks for schools

King’s birthday honours recognise school leaders

Ofsted: The key changes to school inspection from September 2026

GCSE natural history: what schools need to know

DfE set to publish enrichment goals for colleges

King’s birthday honours 2026: Damehood for ex-FE commissioner Shelagh Legrave

Ofsted to test new SEND inclusion cash plans

Government rolls out emergency MenB vaccine scheme for students

Surge in EHCPs fuels latest rise in SEND pupils, DfE data shows

King’s Birthday Honours: top accolades for data science pioneers

Marking boycotters face heavy sanctions as assessments disrupted

Universities too reliant on cuts to balance the books – Blunkett

Weekly Round Up - 12/06/2026