- Tributes paid to Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison
- Strikes: EIS union warns teachers will walk out during exams if no resolution found
- UCAS website to showcase apprenticeships alongside degrees
- Experts call for 'proper funding' of mental health provision in schools
- Online Safety Bill 'leaves schools exposed'
- Labour leader 'under pressure' to uphold pledge to remove university tuition fees
- Cancelled academics 'must be able to sue universities', education minister warns vice-chancellors
Tributes paid to Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison
Top storyTributes have been paid to Emma Pattison, headteacher of Epsom College, who was found dead on Sunday with her daughter and husband. Mrs Pattison became the first female head of Epsom College last September. Sky News.
Dr Alastair Wells, chairman of the board of governors at Epsom College, said: "Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person. Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Emma's family, friends and loved ones, and to the many pupils and colleagues whose lives she enriched throughout her distinguished career."
A statement from The Heads' Conference (HMC) said: "Everyone at HMC is devastated to hear of the awful news from Epsom College that we have lost Emma Pattison and her family. Our thoughts and prayers at this time are for Emma’s family and close friends as well as the Epsom College, Croydon High School and St John’s Leatherhead communities.”
Staff at the ISC shared a message of condolence which can be read here.
If you have been affected by this tragic news and would like to speak to someone for support, Education Support can be reached by calling 08000 562 561.
Strikes: EIS union warns teachers will walk out during exams if no resolution found
Strike actionAndrea Bradley, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), has warned that teachers will continue to strike during the exam season if the pay dispute is not resolved. Further strikes in Scotland are planned for the end of February. BBC News.
The Times reports that plans are in place to ensure that students do not lose out on qualifications while teachers are striking. By Mark McLaughlin.
Data from FFT Education Datalab suggests that secondary schools in England prioritised keeping lessons open for students in Years 11 and 7 during the teacher strikes last week. By John Roberts, Tes. The analysis shows a 'huge variation' by year group at secondary level, with Year 11s having the highest attendance, at 54 per cent, close to that seen in primary year groups. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.
UCAS website to showcase apprenticeships alongside degrees
ApprenticeshipsFrom this autumn, school and college leavers will be able to explore and apply for apprenticeships alongside undergraduate degrees via the university admissions service's (UCAS) website, enabling them to decide between their options in the same place. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.
Members of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers have called for reform of the the apprenticeship levy funding system, saying that it is "too complicated". By Isabella Fish, The Times.
Experts call for 'proper funding' of mental health provision in schools
Mental healthMarking the start of Children's Mental Health Week, Sarah Hannafin and Sally Etchells Wragg explain that schools play a crucial role in supporting pupils' mental health but warn that there is a "real urgency" for additional resources in this area. They say: "Children’s mental health and wellbeing is a cross-government issue necessitating a coordinated and long-term plan." Sarah Hannafin is senior policy adviser for the NAHT and Sally Etchells Wragg is policy and public affairs manager for children’s mental health charity Place2Be. Tes.
Online Safety Bill 'leaves schools exposed'
SafeguardingDiana Young, a primary school governor, outlines her concerns in Schools Week that the Online Safety Bill, currently going through Parliament, does not go far enough. Although schools are already taking preventative measures to keep pupils safe online, Ms Young argues that the Government is 'ultimately responsible'.
Labour leader 'under pressure' to uphold pledge to remove university tuition fees
Higher educationiNews reports that Sir Keir Starmer is under renewed pressure to confirm his stance on university tuition fees after Labour Students, the student wing of the Labour Party, supported calls for the fees to be removed. By Chloe Chaplain.
Cancelled academics 'must be able to sue universities', education minister warns vice-chancellors
Higher educationWriting in The Telegraph, Claire Coutinho, the education minister, has said that the Government will “make sure that for academics and speakers who have their free speech rights wrongly infringed”, there will be the “right to go to court for compensation”. By Louisa Clarence-Smith. Ms Coutinho's article appears below halfway.