The Latest Breaking News from Ofsted

Former DfE permanent secretary Jonathan Slater suggests replacing current Ofsted inspections with a new accountability system for schools

All secondary-age school pupils in year eight (aged 12 and 13) in England will be required by the government to take a reading test. The declared purpose is to help drive up reading standards so that “everyone can thrive”. Is this additional test a good idea?

Recommendations to help young people make better progress post-16 will be reflected in the coming skills white paper, Professor Becky Francis said.

The ASCL said members are ‘gravely concerned about the stress and pressure likely to be generated by the new inspection system’.

Baroness Amanda Spielman said teachers could be ‘unintentionally encouraging children to find things to be unhappy about’.

Secondary school pupils would take the test at the end of Year 8, according to measures in the Government’s Schools White Paper.

Proposal aims to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children and improve schools’ focus on reading

One union leader is unhappy with the plans

The Association of School and College Leader has warned the new system could deter people from becoming teachers and school leaders.

Fees for some private schools could increase by more than £1,000 a year over the next five years.

The Education Secretary’s allies said it is ‘unfair’ that taxpayers whose children go to state schools are bankrolling the costs of private schools.