Bridget Phillipson has done worse as education secretary than Sir Keir Starmer has as prime minister, according to an NEU poll. Some 74 per cent of teachers and support staff surveyed by the teaching union said that Ms Phillipson was doing either "quite badly" or "very badly" as education secretary, while 70 per cent held the same view of the outgoing prime minister. The survey found that nine per cent believe she is doing well, while five per cent of respondents said they believe Labour has performed "fairly well" on education issues, and no respondents were recorded as agreeing that Labour has performed "very well". Calling for change, the union's general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said Labour needs a "fundamental change of direction, starting with education". By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer yesterday, BBC News looks at Labour MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham’s potential policies should he become prime minister. On education, the broadcaster notes that the former mayor of Greater Manchester has repeatedly emphasised the importance of young people having alternative routes to training and employment, aside from university. By Harry Farley and James Gregory.

"Expecting schools to carry on like normal right now is dangerous," Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU teaching union, posted on X yesterday afternoon. The union's message came as ministers highlighted updated guidance on what schools should do during a heatwave. This week's extreme heat has led to concerns over the impact on schools, after rare red health alerts were issued by the UK Health Security Agency. Addressing MPs during education questions in Parliament, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said it is "a matter... for school leaders as to how they manage that best". By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have warned that they could be locked out of discussions that affect their children’s schooling and access to other local services. A number claim they have been told they cannot publicly campaign on issues related to SEND or post on their own personal social media channels if they want to lead parent carer forums, which work with local authority officials to influence services for children in the area. Renata Watts, co-director at Special Needs Jungle, told iNews the guidance reads like a "warning shot" to "silence" families. By Alexa Phillips.

Schools Week ran live updates from yesterday's parliamentary education session, which covered a number of issues including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform. By Lydia Chantler-Hicks.

Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat spokesperson (schools), submitted two written questions in the House of Commons in which she asked the education secretary what estimate she has made of the number of independent schools in England that have closed, and the number of pupils who have moved from independent to state schools since the introduction of the VAT on fees policy. Responding, early education minister Olivia Bailey referenced school closure information, which is available via the register of schools, adding: "The latest school census data, as at June 2026, reveals pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over the last 20 years," with further information available here. Hansard.

In a letter to The Times, Cheryl Giovannoni, CEO of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) questions whether the growing trend of boys' boarding schools admitting girls is being driven by the interests of girls or by schools seeking to modernise and boost pupil numbers. "This is not about educating girls separately to protect them from boys, but rather because they deserve to be in an environment that caters to how they learn best. As the trend for boys' schools shifting to co-ed gathers pace, we should not forget the girls in this conversation," she writes. The letter appears above halfway.

Tes speaks to staff to find out what it’s like to live and work in Nigeria, where strong population growth is driving a booming international school scene. The paper highlights new entrants such as Rugby School Nigeria and Charterhouse Lagos (soon to be joined by Wellington College International Lagos), which sit alongside more established schools offering a mix of British, International Baccalaureate and national curricula to children from both local and expatriate families. By Dan Worth.

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