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Labour Party Education Reforms:Major Talking Points from the 2024 ConferenceThe 2024 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool has brought a renewed focus on education, with the party outlining its vision for tackling critical challenges facing schools in England. From introducing free breakfast clubs to addressing the systemic issues within Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, the Labour Party education agenda …
Ofsted’s New Look On 16 September 2024, significant changes to the Ofsted school inspection framework came into effect, aimed at increasing transparency and reducing pressure on school leaders. These changes were designed to address long-standing concerns about the inspection framework and to create a more supportive environment for school leaders and staff while maintaining accountability following widespread debate and feedback, particularly …
Bridget Phillipson Faces First Education Questions from MPs Bridget Phillipson and her ministerial team faced their first round of questions from MPs yesterday after Labour’s victory in the July election. The topics, centered around some of the most pressing issues in education today, included SEND education, the ongoing funding challenges, private schools, and the relationship between the government and teachers’ unions. …
Moving Beyond Ofsted’s Single Headline Grades As was expected, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that from today, schools will no longer be assessed using Ofsted’s single headline grades, often referred to as single-word judgements. This move marks the beginning of a broader overhaul of the school accountability system, with the introduction of School Report Cards reportedly set for September …
‘Unacceptable’ Exam Fee Increases Add Pressure on SchoolsIn a move that has sparked significant concern among educational leaders, major UK exam boards have announced above-inflation fee increases for the 2025 examination season. These hikes, which affect both GCSE and A-level exams, have been met with widespread criticism from headteachers, who argue that they place an additional, unsustainable burden on schools …
DfE Publishes Academy Trust Handbook 2024The Department for Education has today published it’s annual Academy Trust Handbook in time for the new academic year 2024/25. Acting as a guide for academy trusts, the guide covers myriad topics such as trust funding agreements, the need for effective governance, safeguarding, and much more, laying out its points in a ‘must’ and ‘should’ …
Private Schools and VAT: Labour Publish New Details on PolicyLabour has today published new details on it’s oft-controversial plan to change the way VAT is applied to private schools. Perhaps not coincidentaly following on from the news that there is a “£20 billion black hole” in the country’s finances, the policy is intended to generate significant revenue but has in …
PAG named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ 2024 PAG is incredibly proud to announce that we have been named on the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™. The Best Workplaces for Women™ list recognises companies in the UK that are committed to ensuring a reasonable balance of women and men across the organisation; removing barriers to women’s career …
Multi-Academy Trusts: Trends and Insights from 2023-24In recent years, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in the UK have navigated through mixed signals regarding their growth and expansion. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the MAT program, a somewhat divisive Conservative invention, the new Labour government’s stance is leaning towards a focus on raising educational standards rather than structural changes en masse. Even so, there …
Eight Key Takeaways from Bridget Phillipson’s First Sector Address1. Ofsted’s Expanded RoleIn her first live Q&A session with ther education sector, Bridget Phillipson emphasised integrating Ofsted’s school inspections with broader child services and promised a reform to the way inspections are scored and presented, as well as suggesting MATs will soon be inspected by the body.2. Curriculum ReviewA comprehensive review …