Prime minister Rishi Sunak is drawing up plans for a reform of A-levels to move towards a more continental-style system of education and the introduction of a British baccalaureate. The move would see pupils studying more subjects after the age of 16, with English and maths becoming compulsory until 18. By Oliver Wright, Steven Swinford and Rachel Sylvester, The Times. 

Schools should not permit gender-questioning pupils to “socially transition” without their parents’ involvement, according to NHS guidance on how staff should respond to children exploring their gender identity. It represents the first national guidance on how to support young people with gender-related questions or distress in education settings. By Amelia Gentleman and Richard Adams, The Guardian. 

Industrial action that will see schools closing across Scotland are set to go ahead after public service union Unison rejected a new council pay offer, which would have included a rise of roughly £2,000 a year for the lowest paid. Unison members are expected to strike on 26, 27 and 28 September in 24 council areas. BBC News. 

Research by the University of Oxford has revealed secondary school pupils in the UK endured significantly higher rates of depression, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and overall worse mental wellbeing during the pandemic, with that of girls deteriorating more than boys. By Rachel Hall, The Guardian. 

Headteachers' leaders have warned Ofsted’s complaints overhaul is a “missed opportunity” because it does not give schools the chance to go to an independent body to challenge inspection grades. The inspectorate has now closed a consultation on improving its approach to handling school inspection complaints, but several major education organisations have said in their responses that the plans do not go far enough. By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

Tes outlines some of the changes to Ofsted school inspections, with information on how and why they are changing and a look at Labour's plans for the watchdog. By Cerys Turner and John Roberts.

In a blog marking the end of National Coding Week, Manique Wilson, a computer science teacher at Pocklington School, describes how a programming competition has sparked the creativity of Year 8 pupils and raised the profile of computing across the school.

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