News

The Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF) came into effect in September promising to advance equality of opportunity for all learners. Dawn Jotham considers what the EIF means in the context of equality and diversity in SecEd.

Commenting on the 2019 phonics screening check and national curriculum assessments at key stage 1, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said “The over-emphasis on Phonics has distorted the teaching of reading in schools, and has produced no discernible increase in children’s ability to read with understanding and pleasure.

A poll of over 2,800 children aged 11-16 in England and Wales, commissioned by the social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, found that 27 per cent have received private tuition, up from 18 per cent in 2005. The Telegraph reports.

The new programme aims to recruit more professionals to enthuse and inspire young people. The scheme will provide training and match them up with opportunities in schools and colleges. GOV.UK reports

It’s a problem many teachers are familiar with, a student apparently struggling in class, but in fact just suffering from something that’s easily fixed – vision problems – with an inexpensive pair of glasses. Roisin P. Corcoran, Chair in Education and Professor at the University of Nottingham writes in The Conversation.

One teacher told Tes she had written to Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman complaining that her school’s inspection was “aggressive and soul destroying” and could drive committed teachers out of the profession.

As I started writing this piece, my son’s fourth report this academic year dropped through the letterbox. That was 30 seconds ago. That’s all the time I’m giving it. That’s all the time it deserves. JL Dutaut, parent and editor of Flip the System UK: A Teachers’ Manifesto writes for Teachwire.

With liquidation expected to begin later this month, former staff and trustees have criticised management of Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT). The BBC reports.

According to the Independent, leaders of elite private schools have vented outrage over Labour’s plan to abolish them, branding the policy “incredulous” [sic] and an “act of unprecedented vandalism”.

I don’t often get cross these days: after all, I’ve been retired for over a year. Nonetheless, on Wednesday I was stirred to ire by the findings of the 15-year research project by University College London (UCL), which revealed that one in four teachers works more than 60 hours a week. Tes report