Category: News
New vocational GCSEs
The government is rethinking what success at 16 looks like by introducing new vocational GCSEs to give 14-year-olds in England more choice — alongside core academic subjects. From 2029 such subject as building and construction, business and finance and child development will become options at GCSE. A great idea on Read more
Ofsted reporting: another overhaul already?
It’s hard to escape the sense that schools are once again being asked to adapt to a moving target. Ofsted’s new inspection framework and report cards only came into effect in November 2025, replacing the previous single overall judgement with grades across different areas, including achievement, inclusion, attendance and behaviour, Read more
Europe’s Education Warning: The Results Are Falling
Europe’s education success story is showing serious cracks. The latest PISA results reveal dramatic falls across some of the continent’s best-known education systems. France and Germany recorded their worst results ever, while the Netherlands also hit an all-time low. Even Finland, once celebrated as a global education leader, saw scores Read more
School Admissions, Fairness & the Reality of “Hidden Selectivity”
The idea that state school admissions in England are fair, transparent, and accessible to all has long been a cornerstone of the system. But increasingly, that assumption is being questioned. Beneath the surface of published criteria and official policies, a more complex picture is emerging—one shaped by what many are Read more
AI Knows the System — But Not the School Gates
For today’s parents, artificial intelligence has become an always-on research assistant. Whether you’re comparing school performance, decoding admissions criteria, or trying to understand catchment areas, AI can surface answers in seconds. What once required trawling through council websites, forums, and spreadsheets can now be condensed into a single, tidy response. Read more
The changing face of nursery funding
Coram Family and Childcare’s latest survey suggests a marked fall in nursery costs in England—but the reality is more complicated than the headline figures imply. Average fees for children under three have fallen sharply following the expansion of government-funded childcare. For many working families, this represents a significant reduction after Read more
New V Levels announced and what they mean
The announcement of new V Levels today marks another chapter in England’s long-running effort to rethink post-16 education. For years, the system has been defined by a familiar divide: A Levels as the academic route and technical qualifications as the vocational alternative. V Levels are intended to sit somewhere in Read more
Parents the target of private school fee scams
New research reveals that parents across the UK are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams that intercept private school fee payments—costing families thousands and exposing major gaps in school payment security. A recent study has found that every independent school surveyed had been targeted by scammers attempting to intercept fee Read more
Have UK graduates been “missold” their degrees?
There are new claims that UK higher education institutions and the government misled students regarding the value, costs, and repayment terms of tuition, particularly post-2012. Graduates, especially those on Plan 2 loans, may pay up to £14,000 more than expected due to retrospective interest rate changes. Key issues include overhyped Read more
Sharp pupil decline forecast for London state schools
Demand for state school places in London is falling fast, reshaping the admissions landscape for relocating families. Forecasts across all 32 boroughs show a 4% drop in Year 7 places and a 2% fall in reception places between 2025/26 and 2029/30, with Inner London seeing the steepest decline. For the Read more