In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

Ofsted to give schools more information about when to expect inspections. It’s hoped this will reduce anxiety, says Ofsted’s national director for education [Tes Magazine - registration required]. Make sure you’re prepared with our checklists for Ofsted.

English primary pupils ranked 4th globally for reading. England moves from 8th to the top 5 in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls), with the gender gap for reading achievement also narrowing [BBC News]. Read how a literacy link governor can support your school’s approach to reading.

75% of teaching assistants (TAs) are considering leaving their role, new survey finds, with low pay and feeling undervalued the key drivers [The Guardian - free registration required]. Understand the rules and requirements for staffing restructures, so you can support your headteacher with any fall in staff numbers.

This week’s headlines

• GCSE and A-level exams begin in a “step back to normal” [BBC News]
• DfE announces new plans to tackle school absence issues, including 9 new attendance hubs [GOV.UK]
• Education unions launch new round of balloting over pay dispute [Schools Week]
• Schools minister will “look at” Key Stage 2 reading paper following reports of pupil distress [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Absence fines for parents/carers put pressure on families and make attendance problems worse, MPs told [BBC News]
• Poor quality housing has a negative impact on pupil attainment, recent research suggests [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Early career teachers (ECTs) learn “very little” from the Early Career Framework according to new report [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Rise in pupils submitting false complaints about school staff [The Telegraph - registration required]
• School caterers are changing menus and portion sizes due to rising costs [The Guardian - free registration required]

Dates for next week

Monday 22 May - National Epilepsy Week begins

Sunday 28 May - Pentecost

Get your weekly reminder

Sign up to the news briefing email