Writing in The Times, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer explains why he wants speaking skills to play an important part in the party's plans for a reformed school curriculum. Emphasising the importance of children learning to speak well and express themselves, Sir Keir says: "An inability to articulate your thoughts fluently is a key barrier to getting on and thriving in life."

In a news item accompanying Sir Keir's article, The Times takes a closer look at the Labour party's plans for education reform. The Labour leader is set to use a speech in Kent later today, which is also expected to include a retention policy and plan for language skills, to confirm his commitment to oracy. By Steven Swinford and Nicola Woolcock.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Sir Keir said he wants to remove "barriers to opportunity" and break the link between "where people start in life as children and young people, and where they end up". BBC News.

Tes reports that Sir Keir's speech will also focus on Labour's target of getting more than half a million more children to meet early learning goals (ELGs) by 2030 if the party is elected at the next general election. By John Roberts.

Daniel Kebede, who will take over as general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU) in September, is preparing to arrange the biggest teachers’ strikes in decades. Mr Kebede warned yesterday that there will be coordinated walkouts in the autumn term if all four teaching unions gain mandates for industrial action. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

Gillian Keegan has accused striking teachers of undermining children’s recovery from the pandemic, as an estimated one in 20 schools in England are thought to have closed completely during walkouts this week. Addressing the Local Government Association annual conference, the education secretary said: "Children have been through so much in the pandemic and I can’t think of a worse time to be willingly keeping them out of school.” By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

The public views greater provision of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and mental health services as a top priority for the government regarding education, according to a survey by Ipsos. By Mark Gould, Tes.

Only a fifth of parents think that their children should take all their GCSE and A-level exams with pen and paper, a poll by Ofqual has found. Exam boards are piloting screen assessments and have already adapted some parts of GCSE computer science to move online. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Jonathan Taylor, director of education for the Repton Family of Schools, writes in Tes on the impact of the pandemic which, he argues, "showed education can adapt and take on new ways of working when they are in the best interests of staff, pupils and parents". Mr Taylor points to increased digital proficiency and the use of edtech as indicators that schools are continuing to "get more things right than wrong". Reference is made to Harrow Online.

Three teachers talk to The Guardian about their reasons for leaving the profession, citing rising demands, low pay and budget pressures among other factors. By Jedidajah Otte.

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