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Creation of a ‘cohesion and conflict unit’ in England is among recommendations in government-commissioned reviewSchool leaders have welcomed proposals for the creation of “a cohesion and conflict unit” to support teachers who face “freedom-restricting” threats and harassment during the course of their work.It is one of a number of recommendations in a government-commissioned review into threats to social cohesion in England, which highlights the...

Michele Morrow, the far-right Republican running to oversee public schools in the state, said she is facing ‘radical extremists’A far-right Republican candidate running to oversee public schools in North Carolina decried “extreme agendas that threaten our children’s future”, after being confronted by reporters over tweets in which she called for the executions of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.“Don’t let extreme agendas threaten our children’s...

Bill signed by governor Kay Ivey and lambasted by civil rights advocates affects public schools, universities and state agenciesThe Alabama governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill into law in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across public schools, universities and state agencies, the latest move in a wave of a Republican-led legislation that aims to restrict diversity efforts.The law, known as...

Assailants reportedly surrounded Kuriga school as pupils were starting the day in second abduction in country in less than a weekGunmen have attacked a school in Nigeria’s north-west region seizing at least 287 students, in the second mass abduction in the West African nation in less than a week.Authorities had said earlier that more than 100 students were taken hostage in the attack. But...

Nuffield Foundation to also recommend longer half-term breaks in proposed overhaul of calendar ‘in place since Victorian times’England should ditch its school calendar “stuck in place since Victorian times” and replace it with shorter summer holidays and longer half-term breaks to improve the lives of pupils and teachers, according to a new report.The report on tackling post-pandemic education inequalities, to be published by the...

Suffolk-based schools trust also found that pupil absences for illness fell 25% after extending autumn holidayWhen Unity Schools Partnership decided to double the length of its half-term break last autumn, it was hoping to improve attendance and staff wellbeing. But Tim Coulson, the trust’s chief executive, said he was “blown away” by the positive results.The Suffolk-based trust found that pupil absences for illness fell...

Teaching unions say guidance includes practices already adopted and most schools already have policies in placeMinisters have confirmed plans to ban the use of mobile phones in English schools, releasing guidance for headteachers that some unions said included practices that had already been widely adopted.However, one headteacher welcomed the Department for Education (DfE) plan, saying it would help give schools the confidence to make...

Parents in disbelief after students at Montreal’s Westwood junior high found their art for purchase on mugs, phone cases and clothesA Canadian teacher is under fire for allegedly using his personal website to sell nearly 100 pieces of art created by students, prompting disbelief and anger from parents.Students at Montreal’s Westwood junior high school made the chance discovery last night after searching out their...

Labour MPs call to extend provision to every primary pupil in England after study finds health and learning improveLabour is facing calls from MPs to back the provision of free school meals for all primary school children in England, after a new study found evidence that it reduces obesity and boosts reading skills.Levels of obesity were reduced by 7% to 11% among reception children...

Federal and WA state governments’ public school funding deal dismissed as ‘not good enough’ by Australian Education UnionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastEducation experts say a “landmark” deal to fully fund Western Australia’s public schools by 2026 is “not good enough” and still lets the state government “off the...

Capital’s councils say they are struggling to keep schools open as pupil funding dries upLondon’s councils are preparing to mothball schools to avoid a boom and bust cycle of closures, as the falling birthrate, high housing costs and the aftermath of Brexit and the Covid pandemic drive down the number of children living in the capital.With some areas of London projected to see the...

Sir Martyn Oliver says he is a proud northerner who has taken on some of the most ‘difficult and damaged’ schoolsTurning around some of the toughest schools in England is the ideal preparation to become Ofsted’s chief inspector when schools are still struggling after the Covid crisis, according to Sir Martyn Oliver.With 28 years as a teacher and school leader behind him before being...

Beijing steps up its efforts to tighten control of what is taught in its classrooms, deterring western teachers from working in the countryA new “patriotic” education law is set to put a squeeze on British schools in China as Beijing steps up its efforts to tighten control of what is taught in its classrooms.Less than five years ago, the Chinese and British media were...

School leaders fear ministerial advice on pupil transitioning could spark court actionSchools in England could face legal action if they follow new guidance on how to treat transgender children, ministers’ own lawyers have reportedly warned.Advice issued prior to the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, and the equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch, publishing draft guidance to schools and colleges which said they had no duty to allow...

Brothers of Italy party plans law to ‘protect’ Christian traditions and prevent schools ‘modifying the essence of Christmas’Italy’s ruling far-right party has identified a new battleground in its war to protect the country’s “cultural roots”: the school nativity scene.A draft law proposed on Wednesday by the Brothers of Italy party (FdI) seeks to clamp down on schools that hold general celebrations in the holiday...

Newton Carey gives his view after draft guidance was issued by the UK government There is ‘no general duty’ to allow children to change their gender, teachers advisedI was always very masculine when I was growing up telling my mum I didn’t want to wear dresses, but I didn’t have the words to explain what I felt until I was 11. That year I...