Education

Neal-Wade Academy in March wants proof for period pain absences Parents have reacted angrily to a school’s policy of refusing to authorise sick days related to period pain unless parents provided “related medical information”. Neal-Wade Academy in March, Cambridgeshire, also said it was no longer accepting explanations such as “unwell, poorly or ill” for it … Read more

Eye and ear checks to be offered to autism students at school BBC News Nafsika, a teacher at the school, has been trained to carry out the hearing checks Children and young people in England with special educational needs, including severe autism, are to be offered NHS eyesight, dental and ear checks in their schools … Read more

GCSE students to continue receiving Covid exam help The education secretary has said GCSE students should continue to be given formula and equation sheets to help in their exams. This year had been the final year students were expecting to receive that post-Covid support. But in a letter to England’s exams regulator, Ofqual, Bridget Phillipson … Read more

British Sign Language: ‘Devastating’ move to suspend GCSE Getty Images The qualification was due to be introduced in September 2026 but was delayed until 2027 Campaigners say a decision to suspend the introduction of a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) in Wales is “devastating”. Qualifications Wales said the new GCSE, which was due to … Read more

Bilston head criticises curriculum’s lack of emphasis on water safety BBC Gary Gentle, headteacher of Bilston Church of England Primary School, said there should be more emphasis on teaching water safety The national curriculum does not teach children enough about getting out of difficulty in open water, a headteacher has said. Bilston Church of England … Read more

Children shouted at for their Tourette’s are avoiding school BBC Tourette’s syndrome does not affect someone’s ability to learn – but parents said suppressing tics leaves kids exhausted and unable to focus in class Parents of children with Tourette’s syndrome are warning that a lack of support and understanding in schools could wreck their chances … Read more

Sex charge tutor case reveals ‘massive safeguarding hole’ Getty Images A man charged with sexual assault has been advertising as a private tutor for children in maths and science, a BBC investigation has found. The man, who we’re not naming for legal reasons, left his job as a teacher last year. Bail conditions prevent him … Read more

Prison education failing young offenders – Ofsted Nick Johnson / BBC Lorenzo Alara says education did not “feel valuable” during his time in a young offender institution The standard of education received by children in young offender institutions (YOIs) in England is in rapid decline, according to a report. The review, by the Office for … Read more

Norfolk schools: 15 buildings need urgent ceiling repairs Google Avenue Junior School in Norwich was closed for three days after “urgent concerns” were identified with some of its ceilings Fifteen schools across a county need urgent repairs after a collapsed ceiling prompted immediate safety inspections. Norfolk County Council has confirmed it has finished checking 60 … Read more

Welsh language in schools: Teachers’ funding fears over expansion Getty Images One teaching union says the plan “could impact badly on the mental health of non-Welsh speaking teachers” Teaching unions have raised concerns about government plans to increase the number of pupils who learn Welsh at school. The Welsh language and Education Bill will put … Read more