The financial situation for schools is looking a little less bleak today, at least, after the chancellor’s unexpected announcement on Thursday that he would increase funding over the next two years.
However, sector leaders were quick to point out that Jeremy Hunt’s extra cash will come “after a decade of real-terms cuts” - and the commitment wasn’t enough to halt the momentum towards teacher and headteacher industrial action over pay this winter.
Also in the past week, education leaders appealed to the Department for Education to scrap its controversial new curriculum quango, Oak National Academy; new research identified the key triggers for teacher stress; and the effect of high teacher turnover in schools was uncovered.
Catch up on your must-read Tes news and analysis right here:
- Hunt: Schools to get extra £4.6 billion over two years
The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced a surprise increase in school funding in his Autumn Statement.
- Teacher pay must not drive prices higher, says Keegan
Education secretary Gillian Keegan has said that next year’s teacher pay award must take into account the government’s target for keeping inflation down.
- Axe “unwanted” Oak National, Keegan told
Heads, teachers and edtech leaders have jointly called on education secretary Gillian Keegan to cut funding for the new curriculum resources quango, Oak National Academy.
- Heads’ strikes won’t close schools, says union boss
Headteachers taking strike action over pay will not lead to the closure of schools, the general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union has said.
- What causes teachers the most stress?
The two things that are the biggest causes of teacher stress have been revealed by new research.
- Make ‘Parent Pledge’ a legal requirement, DfE advised
The “Parent Pledge” should be included in statutory guidance for schools, the children’s commissioner has said.
- Early years curriculum: five Ofsted findings
The inspectorate has emphasised the importance of play and the ongoing impact of Covid in the first of a series of reviews looking at the early years sector.
- Why some schools won’t screen the World Cup
Some heads won’t be allowing pupils to watch England’s opening World Cup match because of “ethical” concerns over the tournament in Qatar.
- How schools can save money now - and prepare for the future
With schools in the grip of a funding crisis, one MAT chief outlines what his trust is doing to cut down its spending now and in the years ahead.
- Revealed: The “corrosive” impact of high teacher turnover
What the research tells us about the consequences of high staff turnover in schools - and the action leaders can take to minimise the disruption.
- How a phone ban helped us stamp out bullying
To mark Anti-Bullying Week, one headteacher reveals the six-step strategy his school used to tackle poor behaviour and stop bullying.
