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Schools 6 days ago

Reform UK overseas worker levy 'would damage schools and social care'

Experts warn that Reform UK's proposed 'migrant worker surcharge' would exacerbate staff shortages in schools and children's social care, whilst pushing universities into financial difficulty. The policy would require employers to pay higher national insurance contributions for all non-UK passport holders except those with Irish passports.

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'Without this it's all just tourists': Soho's last primary school fights for survival
Schools Jul 18, 2026

'Without this it's all just tourists': Soho's last primary school fights for survival

Soho Parish C of E primary, the last remaining school in a neighbourhood that once had 16, faces an uncertain future due to falling pupil numbers affecting hundreds of primaries across England. Supporters are mounting an ambitious campaign to save the 'unique' inner-London institution, arguing it serves as a vital community anchor amidst the capital's changing landscape.

Pupils Suffer Heatstroke in 40C+ Classrooms as Schools Urged to Adapt Buildings
Schools Jul 11, 2026

Pupils Suffer Heatstroke in 40C+ Classrooms as Schools Urged to Adapt Buildings

Teachers have resorted to desperate measures—including covering younger children with wet paper towels and placing water trays beneath desks—to keep pupils cool as classroom temperatures climb above 40C. The extreme heat has left children suffering nausea, headaches and heatstroke, prompting urgent calls for schools to be adapted for increasingly hot weather.

School Suspensions Fall in England for First Time Since Pandemic
Schools Jul 9, 2026

School Suspensions Fall in England for First Time Since Pandemic

Recent data indicates a welcome decline in school suspensions across England for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that intensive support for pupils is beginning to reverse post-lockdown behavioural challenges. Ministers recognise the "pernicious legacy" of disrupted education whilst praising teachers for helping vulnerable children turn a corner and re-engage with learning.

World Cup Victory Leads to 300,000 Pupil Absences in England Schools
Schools Jul 6, 2026

World Cup Victory Leads to 300,000 Pupil Absences in England Schools

Initial attendance figures reveal approximately 332,000 fewer children attended school on Monday following England's 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico. The drop of more than three percentage points came after England manager Thomas Tuchel encouraged parents to let children watch the historic late-night match.

Rural exodus: Why thousands of Kenyan primary schools face closure
Schools Jul 4, 2026

Rural exodus: Why thousands of Kenyan primary schools face closure

Over 2,000 primary schools in rural Kenya are facing closure as enrolment numbers collapse, with some institutions reportedly housing more livestock than pupils. The crisis highlights the profound impact of demographic shifts and urban migration on educational provision in remote areas.

How school governance has evolved over two decades
Schools Jul 2, 2026

How school governance has evolved over two decades

School governance has undergone profound transformation since the mid-2000s, shifting from traditional local authority oversight to complex multi-academy trust structures. This evolution reflects wider education reforms, changing accountability frameworks, and new expectations for strategic leadership in our schools.

DfE Recruits School Leaders to Support ‘Mission’ Areas
Schools Jul 2, 2026

DfE Recruits School Leaders to Support ‘Mission’ Areas

The Department for Education is seeking experienced school leaders to work in designated ‘mission’ areas as part of its ongoing efforts to drive educational improvement in underperforming regions. The initiative aims to deploy expertise where it is most needed to raise standards and support struggling schools.

Councils Prepare for the Stark Reality of Falling School Rolls
Schools Jul 2, 2026

Councils Prepare for the Stark Reality of Falling School Rolls

Local authorities across England are confronting significant declines in pupil numbers as demographic shifts create excess capacity in the school system. This trend threatens to strain budgets and force difficult decisions about consolidation while councils work to maintain educational standards.