Category: Department for Education

Prime Minister Announces Fast Track Review Amid Claims of ‘Extreme Sexualised’ Lessons

The British government is to review how relationships and sex education are being taught in schools, following concerns from MPs that children are being exposed to “extreme, sexualising” content. On Wednesday during Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi Sunak said he asked the Department for Education (DfE) to “ensure that schools are not teaching inappropriate or contested…


Wage Increase for Teachers a Short Term ‘Band-Aid’ Solution for Education Sector: Expert

One Australian expert says wage increases for teachers are not a silver bullet for resolving the myriad problems facing the New South Wales’ education sector. His comment comes after tens of thousands of teachers on June 30 walked off the job in the biggest teacher strike in the state in over 20 years demanding better…


Inflated A-level Grades Could Make Fair University Admissions ‘Difficult’

Even more top grades could be awarded to A-level students this summer than last year to compensate for the greater disruption to learning, it has been suggested. There are warnings that “inflated grades” will become the new norm, making it more difficult for universities to “select accurately and fairly.” It comes ahead of A-level results…


‘Refusal’ to Make COVID-19 School Contingency Plans ‘Unforgivable’: Report

The government’s “refusal” to make contingency plans for schools and exams in summer 2020 is the “most unforgivable aspect” of its handling of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report has suggested. Lessons regarding school closures and examinations from the first lockdown were “not learnt,” leading to a case of “pause, rewind, repeat,” a…


Minister Admits Just 25 Percent of Department’s Civil Servants Are Back in Office

Only about 25 percent of staff in one government department are currently in the office on any one day, a minister has said, despite the Chancellor advocating the benefits of young people returning to the workplace. Gillian Keegan, minister for apprenticeships and skills, gave the estimate for the Department for Education when asked on Times…


Number of Children Being Home-Educated in UK ‘Rises by 75 Percent’ Amid Lockdowns

The number of children registering for home-education in the UK rose by 75 percent in the first eight months of this school year, according to an investigation by the BBC. The broadcaster received Freedom of Information responses from 153 of the 205 county councils and unitary authorities in Great Britain, and all of Northern Ireland,…


School Mobile Phone Bans Considered in Behaviour Consultation

Mobile phone bans and other measures to promote “calm classrooms” will be considered as part of a consultation on behaviour and discipline in schools. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he wants to make the school day mobile-free, describing the devices as “not just distracting” but also potentially “damaging” when misused. The idea is being considered…


Schools ‘Not There to Be a Political Space,’ Says Gavin Williamson

Schools must be impartial and there is “no space” for them to be showing or pushing political views, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said. Williamson was asked about the use of the term “white privilege” and whether the Department for Education (DfE) could intervene and tell a school it was not an appropriate term to…


Government Backs ‘One Britain One Nation’ Campaign by Former Police Officer

The Government has supported a campaign by a former police officer which aims to instil pride in Britain through a celebratory day this week. One Britain One Nation (OBON) Day is due to be celebrated in schools on Friday through the singing of a patriotic song, after the campaign was founded by retired police inspector…