“Knowledge matters, but education is about much more than memorising facts." Intense debate continues as Northern Ireland ploughs on with curriculum reform heavily influenced by England

Details of DfE plans to rebuild £59 million free school appear to have been kept secret from its board

6 November 2026

Non-discussion of detailed future of Canary Wharf College secondary, within controversial East London development, raise questions about role of interim chief executive ahead of a merger with another trust, which she also leads.

Athena school was marked down by inspectors amid concerns over impact on SEND pupils of time spent in “reflection”, notes reveal

3 November 2026

Inspectors’ notes, released by Ofsted under FOI, show criticism of children losing “nearly half a term” out of lessons during first two terms of last year, in either reflection or suspension, often for “very minor infringements,” with gaps in their learning resulting.

Mossbourne case shows how academy supervision is failing on public transparency

30 October 2026

DfE appears to have dodged local and public answerability as to how it has responded to high-profile safeguarding review, simply because it can.

Does Acland-Hood’s departure offer a sense that the government is indeed “changing the story” on education?

23 October 2026

The Permanent Secretary’s parting statement struck this observer as extraordinarily revealing. Plus: celebrations for a school featured in these pages, but no context? And “Unauthorised Absence” film packs out West End cinema for its launch.