Thursday
Weekly round-up: No ‘revolution’ for embattled Ofsted
This week’s education news round-up includes Sir Martyn Oliver’s pledge to ‘change the way’ Ofsted inspects and a challenge to the watchdog from former inspectors
Faith special schools can help to ease SEND pressure
The chief education officer of the Church of England says new government plan could have a big impact on special educational needs support – but more resources will still be needed
Warning over ‘creeping centralisation’ of MAT system
Academies’ leaders and experts debate the future of the sector, including a stronger role in helping to ‘resolve’ wider social issues impacting pupils
Wednesday
Sir Martyn: Ofsted should not make trusts ‘afraid’ of orphan schools
Chief inspector says he is ‘really concerned’ about ‘schools that no one wants’
Gaelic provision in Scottish schools ‘limited and marginal’
Fewer than 1% of Scottish pupils are taught Gaelic and 95% of primaries offer no Gaelic learning, MSPs are told
Hundreds of thousands ‘clawed back’ for unfilled ITE places
But Scottish deans of education say the loss of funding could be worse, with a ‘reduced clawback’ recognising universities’ efforts to hit recruitment targets
‘Alternative Big Listen’ to probe single-word Ofsted ratings
Former senior inspectors launch their own consultation on Ofsted, amid concerns that the watchdog is failing to ask important questions
Faith schools: DfE to scrap 50% cap and allow special academies
Move to lift faith cap ‘unnecessary’ and ‘potentially retrograde’, heads’ union warns
Tuesday
‘Useful’ old school building guidance poses funding questions
New guidance on managing older buildings in the school estate is welcome – but makes the difficulty of accessing funding even starker, say these trust leaders
How to reform childcare to truly benefit teachers
Could these innovations being used in schools and nurseries help more working teacher-mothers stay in the profession?
‘Nearly all’ schools rely on donations for classroom essentials
Only 1 per cent of school leaders say they get enough funding to meet all their pupils’ needs, according to an NAHT poll revealing schools’ reliance on additional money
