In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

Lack of flexible working opportunities in teaching are putting people off the sector, survey finds. 90% of initial teacher training (ITT) providers say increased opportunity for flexible working would attract more people [Tes Magazine - registration required]. Read our tips on how to review your flexible working policy, to help attract and retain the best talent for your school.

MPs call for training to help teachers reduce sexual harassment in schools. Parliamentary committee recommends more training to help teachers hold conversations with boys about gender-based violence, and says relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) should be compulsory to 18 [The Guardian]. Find out more about your role in helping to prevent child-on-child abuse.

Vulnerable pupils falling behind their peers at GCSE, as progress on the attainment gap stalls since the pandemic. Research from the Education Policy Institute reveals the attainment gap between looked-after children (LAC) and their peers in secondary schools is growing, reversing progress made before 2019 [Tes Magazine - registration required]. Remind yourself about your responsibilities regarding looked-after children, and what your school needs to do to remain

Teachers report that pupils with SEND are not receiving effective support. About 7 in 10 teachers say that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities aren’t effectively supported under the current education system [Tes Magazine - registration required]. Remind yourself of the key points in the SEND Code of Practice, to make sure your school is delivering the right support.

This week’s headlines

• Schools close due to 2 days of strike action by the National Education Union (NEU) as pay dispute continues [BBC News]
• Labour unveils education policy promises, including a curriculum focus on skills, and retention bonuses for teachers [Schools Week]
• Lost development for primary pupils during COVID-19 is a “ticking time bomb”, warn school leaders [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Free flu vaccine offered for all secondary pupils this autumn [Schools Week]
• Education policy should focus on SEND provision, mental health services and free school meals, public polling finds [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Exam boards targeted by a series of cyber attacks [Schools Week]
• New expert panel to promote cultural education in schools appointed [GOV.UK]
• Skills needed to spot fake news and conspiracy theories should be included in the National Curriculum, say academics [The Telegraph - registration required]
• Disparity in the numbers of children with education health and care (EHC) plans between schools highlighted in new analysis [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Think tank calls for online information dashboard to reduce barriers to academy conversions [Schools Week]

Dates for next week

Saturday 15 July - World Youth Skills Day

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