Are mobile phones being banned in UK schools?

School children looking at a mobile phone

The UK government has issued new guidance to schools amid a call for a total ban of mobile phones in schools. Research has found that almost all secondary age pupils have a mobile phone. The Department for Education says 97% of 12-year-olds carry a smart phone and they are concerned that they can be a […]

Researchers find widespread support for Ofsted report card plan

Ofsted inspection

Parents and teachers want Ofsted inspections and the school accountability system to be more transparent, well-rounded, and less high-stakes, a major new report into public support for education reform has found.  And they have agreed that it is time to scrap the one word judgements that can taint schools for years. Published in the same […]

Gogglebox star Baasit Siddiqui celebrates Nottingham school’s Apple award

Gogglebox star Bassait Siddiqui visits Parkdale Primary School in Nottingham

Former teacher and Gogglebox star Baasit Siddiqui has seen the importance digital learning plays in children’s education following a visit to the forward-thinking Parkdale Primary School which has been recognised by Apple for its commitment to “continuous innovation using technology”.   Mr Siddiqui, who previously worked as an IT teacher, visited the school to see first-hand the innovative technology championed by the […]

Teachers Believe Ebooks Benefit Primary Pupils’ Reading But Only A Third Have Access

ebooks benefit primary school pupils

A new report on the impact of eBooks on reading for pleasure has been published by the National Literacy Trust in association with Pearson, the world’s leading digital media learning company. The report, Using eBooks to support reading for pleasure in 2023 brings together responses from more than 500 primary educators, including classroom teachers, headteachers and SENCOs, […]

Young Tree Champions: Apply now for free trees, tech and support at your school

The Tree Council Young Tree Champions

UK schools can now apply for The Tree Council’s Young Tree Champions (YTC) programme, with free trees and hedgerows, inspirational resources, and lots of support available to develop green spaces – and grant children opportunities to feel connected to nature. Since 2020, The Tree Council’s flagship education programme has worked with more than 400 school and youth groups, […]

Young pupils recovering from Covid learning gap

The Covid learning gap is starting to narrow. Female teacher is teaching shapes to her primary school students. She is asking hem a question and some of the students have their hand in the air to answer.

New research suggests the Covid learning gap suffered by young pupils as a result of the pandemic is starting to narrow. The difference between reading and maths scores of Year 3 and 4 pupils in the 2022/23 academic year compared to those before Covid is smaller than it was. But the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their […]

Economic Research Council offers free Econ Club access to all Sixth Forms

Economic Research Council has opened up its Econ Club to all sixth forms

The Economic Council (ERC) has announced that it is opening up its ‘Econ Club’ program to all schools in the UK. The bespoke ‘Econ Club’ program has been developed over the past year as a dedicated space for in-depth economic discussion and learning in a bid to serve as a transformative educational platform for sixth […]

A Sporting Chance: Citron Hygiene and Aunt Flow Donate 73,000 Period Products to Keep Girls Off the Sidelines

As Citizens Advice reports that 2023 was the “bleakest ever” start to a year, Citron Hygiene has launched a new initiative to help tackle period poverty.  The leading provider of washroom hygiene services will donate 73,000 Aunt Flow pads and tampons to the national children’s charity, the Youth Sport Trust, to alleviate period poverty and help girls enjoy being physically active all month long. […]