Thursday
Weekly round-up: Pay deal accepted but strike threat remains
This week’s education news round-up includes the two main teacher unions accepting the government’s pay offer, a warning of strike action over workload and teacher training providers under ‘enormous pressure’
Local authority schools ‘perform better than MATs’
A new analysis of Ofsted ratings provides evidence for restoring councils’ right to build new schools, says the Local Government Association
Wednesday
Teachers report more girls playing playground football
A poll has revealed a big rise in primary girls taking part in playground matches and schools with girls and mixed football teams
Ex-trust chief charged with historic child sex offences
Gareth Mason, former CEO of Falcon Education Academies Trust, is due to appear at Leeds District Magistrates’ Court next month
Knowledge-rich curriculum ‘could close reading gap’
But findings in report claiming to be the first long-term study of the knowledge-rich approach may not be ‘decisive’, says leading academic
‘MATs must support families over the summer holidays’
For some families, the summer holidays are a stressful time of year – which is why trusts must provide their communities with support all year round, says Steve Chalke
Limit school leaders’ working hours, says ASCL
The next government should also set up an independent curriculum body and extend free school meals, according to heads’ union ‘election manifesto’
Tuesday
Scottish school support staff back strike action over pay
Cleaners, janitors, caterers and pupil support staff in almost a third of councils have backed industrial action
‘Scottish education has huge strengths,’ says new shadow secretary
Constructive criticism and acknowledging what’s good about our schools is the best approach to opposition, says Liam Kerr, the Scottish Conservatives’ new shadow education secretary
Ofsted MAT evaluations: what really happens?
Ofsted is now conducting summary evaluations of multi-academy trusts – but what do these involve? Astrea CEO Rowena Hackwood explains her trust’s experience
Covid hit socioemotional skills in ‘half of pupils’
Research highlighting the impact on children’s social and emotional development shows the ‘urgent’ need for better-funded services, says heads’ union leader
