Friday
Schools must convert in groups to claim academy support grant
Under new criteria for an academy conversion grant, schools will not receive £25k funding unless they convert in groups of three or more
Do phones, tablets and laptops really disrupt learning?
The great tech fightback in schools is well underway, but Holly Korbey finds that technology’s true impact on education is more nuanced
Lynne Neagle appointed new Welsh education secretary
She replaces Jeremy Miles as new first minister Vaughan Gething unveils his ministerial team during a crucial period for Welsh education
Apprenticeship plan ‘risks quality of teaching’
The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship scheme is being ‘unduly rushed’ and should be put on hold, warns school leaders’ union
Outwood Grange confirms Lee Wilson as permanent CEO
He will take over role from former CEO and current Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver
Explicit instruction: why we need it and how it works
Explicit instruction is not a one-sided process but a complex social interaction requiring mutual adaptation from teacher and learner, explain neuroscientists Chris Frith and Uta Frith
Recruitment crisis: DfE funds international market probe
DfE wants research to inform decisions on the current use of financial incentives, spot ‘barriers’ and ‘assess eligibility and appetite’ for international recruitment
Leadership skills can’t be ‘frozen in time’, warns NIoT
Professional development for school leaders needs to evolve to equip them with the tools to tackle new challenges, says NIoT chief Melanie Renowden
‘Something bad will happen’: how social care cuts hit exclusions
School leaders trying to uphold good behaviour are facing impossible decisions because the decline in social services has removed the safety net for vulnerable students who are suspended or excluded, finds Dan Worth
Schools’ hunt for attendance support as crisis continues
Huge hike in vacancies comes amid major government attendance drive and ‘decimation’ of local authority support
Thursday
SNP under fire for changing free laptops policy
Scottish education secretary forced to defend rowing back on government promise to provide a free laptop or other digital device to every pupil
Four councils agree new deals to cut high-needs deficits
Five councils have also seen their government payments to help balance high-needs deficits put on hold as their agreements have been put under review
