Wednesday
Lords vote to curb new powers over academy admissions
Peers back an amendment to the government’s schools bill, despite Labour warnings that the change would leave schools victim to ‘ridiculous market forces’
School phone ban backed by Lords in government defeat
The House of Lords votes in favour of a statutory ban on phones in schools, despite the government strengthening its guidance on this issue last month
Internal suspensions guidance boosts headteacher autonomy
Amid claims that government guidance is watering down school leaders’ powers, head Sophia Haughton says the opposite is actually the case
Monday
Minister does not commit to transport for school breakfast clubs
In response to fears about pupils being denied access to free school breakfast clubs, early education minister Olivia Bailey would not be drawn on the likelihood of a policy change
Qualifications Scotland takes over from SQA on ‘momentous’ day
Scotland’s new national qualifications body promises a bigger role for teachers and school leaders and will review ‘all the qualifications we have in our portfolio’
Why being phone-free prepares pupils for life beyond school
Debates about phone bans often ignore the longer-term benefits that come from teaching pupils to survive without constant distraction
Friday
McVittie appointed to lead review into Cabot Learning Federation
Multi-academy trust is the subject of a review following controversy over a decision to postpone a school visit by a Jewish MP
Specialist bases to move mainstream schools ‘beyond comfort zone’
DfE director general Dr Tim Coulson expresses hope that the ambitious schools White Paper is ‘weeks away’
Why the Schools Bill remains a threat to a thriving sector
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been stuck in Parliament for a year and yet key problems remain within the legislation, argues Meg Powell-Chandler
White disadvantaged girls see sharpest drop at GCSE
Leaders call for the government to set out targeted action amid fears that girls are being overlooked in the drive to improve white working-class pupils’ outcomes
