Tes reports that 12 staff and parent organisations have written to the prime minister, Liz Truss, and the education secretary, Kit Malthouse, warning of a “decline in educational standards” if schools have to make further cost savings. The letter is published in full (at the end of the article). By Callum Mason.

Literacy levels among six-year-olds in England have declined to the 'lowest level in almost a decade' according to The Telegraph, after learning was disrupted during COVID lockdowns. A Department for Education (DfE) spokesman is quoted, saying "the data shows why it is so important to keep rolling out our ambitious recovery plan across the country". By Louisa Clarence-Smith.

The key stage 1 test results show the first drop in attainment since the phonics check, 'a key government measure of progress among five- and six-year-olds', was introduced in 2012. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Coram family and childcare survey, the number of women not working to take care of family in England has risen by 5 per cent in the last year. The analysis also shows full-time nursery provision for children under two costs parents' almost two-thirds of their weekly wages. By Alexandra Topping, The Guardian.

In an attempt to lower childcare costs, Liz Truss is reportedly looking at removing the staffing ratio required by nurseries in England. This would leave them 'free to decide how many staff they need to look after their children'. By Henry Zeffman, The Times.

Writing in Tes, Sam Freedman looks at the likelihood of the ban on new grammar schools being lifted. He says: "My advice to schools and multi-academy trusts is not to spend a second worrying about this, whether you’re opposed to or planning to build one." Sam Freedman is a former senior policy adviser at the Department for Education and a senior fellow at the Institute of Government.

The Department for Education (DfE) must 'urgently' address the issue of falling numbers entering the teaching profession after analysis by Tes has revealed that places on courses could be lost across 'swathes' of England. This follows a government shake-up which saw initial teacher training (ITT) provider numbers cut by a quarter. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Schools Week reports that Will Bickford Smith has joined Teach First, the education charity, as a director. Mr Bickford Smith was formerly a senior schools policy adviser at the Department for Education and also advised on the Government's ITT reforms. By Tom Belger.

Matt Robertson, associate director of property at LocatED, the Department for Education's (DfE) property company, has said schools could look at selling land and using roofs for solar panels to generate income, in light of rising costs. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Schools Week reveals the DfE is to 'review hundreds of school sites in a bid to find land suitable to be sold for housing.' By Freddie Whittaker.

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