Authors

Jabed Ahmed
All articles by Jabed Ahmed
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahmed
General
7 November 2025
The number of single-academy trusts is in decline after government efforts to promote groups of schools
Triple science GCSE plan ‘ignores chronic teacher shortages’
Giving all GCSE students an entitlement to study triple science will force schools to make ‘compromises and substitutions’ without a major recruitment plan, warn subject experts
Secondary
6 November 2025
Triple science GCSE entitlement criticised for ignoring teacher shortages
Unity Schools Partnership appoints CEO to replace Coulson
Dominic Norrish, previously COO of United Learning, will take up the role following Tim Coulson’s departure to become director general of the DfE’s regions group
General
4 November 2025
Dominic-Norrish
Most pupils in poverty missing out on free school meals
Free school meals eligibility is ‘no longer fit for purpose’ as a measure of pupil deprivation, EPI report warns
General
17 October 2025
Majority of children in poverty miss out on free school meals
Most MATs expect an in-year deficit this year
Analysis of multi-academy trust finances warns of a ‘sharp deterioration’ since last year and ‘growing pressures’
General
16 October 2025
More than half of MATs expect in-year deficits next year
Government sets 90% phonics check target
A mandatory reading test for Year 8 students will also be introduced by the end of this parliament, Bridget Phillipson confirms
General
15 October 2025
Government sets 90 per cent phonics target