Tough new "world class" school performance targets achievable with right investment, say heads

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT heads' union, said today that there was "no reason" to believe that in the long term schools could not reach the ambitious new standards called for today by the think tank Centre Forum.

The organisation, which is chaired by former schools minister David Laws, has today published a report urging the government to bring in tough new targets for schools' GCSE and key stage 2 results, in a bid to raise England's education system to a "world class standard".

19/01/22What are the Covid rules in schools and will they stay open this term?

Face coverings will no longer be compulsory in England's secondary school classrooms from 20 January.

17/01/22Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places needed over the next five years

Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places will be needed over the next five years.

11/01/22Covid: Face mask refusals in some of England's secondary schools spark parents' concern

Secondary school pupils in England returned from the Christmas break this week to new advice – to wear face coverings in lessons and to take lateral flow tests at school before heading into classrooms.

19/10/21Further strikes threatened at universities this term

Students could face more strike action at universities this term after the academics' union opened a ballot over pay, pensions and conditions. University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said the UK's flagship university sector was built on the "exploitation of staff". They had experienced a decade of pension cuts, collapsing pay and insecure contracts, she said. University employers said the prospect of disruption was "disappointing".

01/10/21What changes are being made to GCSEs and A-levels next year?

Department for Education says 2022 will be a ‘transition year’