- Shadow education secretary: 'Tackling persistent absence would be mission critical for Labour in government'
- Ministers consider tax on vapes as part of drive towards 'smoke-free generation'
- Action needed to encourage pupils to read for pleasure, former children's laureate says
- Most inspectorate grades align with exam results, Ofsted report shows
- Parents share anxieties over childcare shortages
- Over a third of parents 'out of their depth' with primary school homework
- Merchant Taylors' Girls' School singers awarded gold at 'Olympic games of choral music'
Shadow education secretary: 'Tackling persistent absence would be mission critical for Labour in government'
AttendanceThe Labour Party will reportedly use parliamentary debate of the government's legislative agenda in the King's Speech to warn that England is facing a “lost generation of children”. Officials will accuse government ministers of having “no plans” to tackle persistent school absences, following party analysis of Department for Education (DfE) figures showing more than 1.5 million pupils were persistently absent across both the autumn and spring terms this year, almost double the number for the same period five years ago. By Nina Lloyd, The Independent.
Writing in Schools Week, Rachel Bostwick outlines five steps to understanding and tackling emotionally-based school avoidance. Ms Bostwick, a senior consultant at the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, advises instilling routine and placing children in small groups to help build their resilience. She adds: "Being more flexible about when a child comes to school can improve attendance over time."
Ministers consider tax on vapes as part of drive towards 'smoke-free generation'
HealthA new tax on vapes is being considered by MPs in a significant expansion of moves to create a “smoke-free generation” that also includes the gradual introduction of a complete ban on smoking for children. Documents published alongside prime minister Rishi Sunak’s first King’s Speech revealed that an eight-week consultation on smoking and vaping would “explore a new duty” on vapes, bringing the country in line with some 40 other countries to have already introduced such a measure. By Pippa Crerar, The Guardian.
Action needed to encourage pupils to read for pleasure, former children's laureate says
General educationAuthor and former children's laureate Dame Jacqueline Wilson writes in today's Times on the need to encourage children to read for pleasure. Alarmed by 2023 statistics from the National Literacy Trust revealing only 43 per cent of children and young people say they read for enjoyment, Dame Jacqueline stresses the importance of school libraries. She says: "As a veteran speaker in primary schools, I know that a new library can make an overwhelming difference."
Most inspectorate grades align with exam results, Ofsted report shows
InspectionAn Ofsted report published today has shown around two-thirds of schools received inspection grades that aligned with their headline performance data in 2022-23. The findings come after incoming chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver was questioned by ministers on why some schools receive good inspection outcomes despite poor exam results. By Cerys Turner, Tes.
Parents share anxieties over childcare shortages
Primary education and early yearsThe Guardian interviews several parents struggling to find nursery places for their children, as an increasing number of facilities close amid funding shortfalls and staff shortages. By Clea Skopeliti.
Over a third of parents 'out of their depth' with primary school homework
ParentingAccording to a new survey, 34 per cent of parents said they are unable to help their child with their primary school homework, with respondents saying they struggle most with maths. The figure rose to 44 per cent of parents of secondary-aged children. The Times invites readers to test themselves by taking a quiz containing some typical homework questions. By Nicola Woolcock.
Merchant Taylors' Girls' School singers awarded gold at 'Olympic games of choral music'
Independent sectorPupils from Merchant Taylors' Girls' School have won a gold medal in the European Choir Games in Sweden, known as the "Olympic games of choral music". Headteacher Bridget Ward said the school was "incredibly proud" of the girls and the music staff for the "enormous amount of work and preparation they have put in to reach international standard". BBC News.