Education

How Hitchin parents pushed to delay phones for school children DJ McLaren/BBC Some secondary schools in Hitchin, such as Hitchin Boys and The Priory, have already announced their plans to join William Ransom Primary School to be ‘phone-free’ Parents have signed a pledge to delay giving their child a smartphone until the end of Year … Read more

Student finance: ‘I can’t enjoy student life until I get a job’ Jordan Andrews Jordan Andrews is one of many students looking for part-time work to boost his income Only days after arriving at university for the first time, Jordan Andrews had an interview for a part-time job, knowing that he would have to work … Read more

Private school’s fear over loss of VAT exemption A small independent school fears parents will be priced out of sending their children there after the 20% VAT exemption private schools is removed. Dean Grierson, head teacher at Hulme Hall Grammar School in Stockport, said pupils with extra educational needs would also struggle to cope if … Read more

The Leeds shopping centre helping international students feel at home Town Centre Securities Opened in the 1960s the Merrion Centre in Leeds is home to a growing number of Asian-inspired businesses A 1960s shopping centre in the middle of Leeds may not seem the most obvious place for a cultural revolution. But when a Taiwanese … Read more

Ammanford: Teen stabbed two teachers and pupil, court hears Family photo Teachers Liz Hopkin (left) and Fiona Elias (right) were injured at the school on 24 April A 14-year-old girl repeatedly stabbed two teachers and a pupil during break time at a school in Carmarthenshire, a jury has heard. Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, … Read more

Five women make further claims against Norfolk head Greg Hill BBC Hannah Gidman said Hill acted inappropriately towards her Further allegations of inappropriate behaviour have been made by female staff members against a head teacher who was convicted of sexual harassment earlier this year. Gregory Hill was jailed for 20 weeks in August after he … Read more

Sheffield apprentice says scheme has ‘set me up for life’ BBC Alex Whinfrey-Gibson says doing an apprenticeship has given him a head start A newly-qualified engineer says his decision to pursue an apprenticeship over a traditional university degree has left him “set up for life”. Alex Whinfrey-Gibson, 22, completed an engineering degree apprenticeship at the … Read more

Ray Winstone backs grieving dads call for knife crime lessons BBC / Jamie Moreland Actor Ray Winstone has backed calls for knife crime lessons to be added to the curriculum Actor Ray Winstone has backed calls for compulsory knife crime lessons from two dads whose sons were fatally stabbed. Mr Winstone said: “I don’t know … Read more

University of Bradford replaces bar with alcohol-free cafe A university has transformed one of its student union bars into an alcohol-free social space in response to changing student habits. The University of Bradford has replaced pints and pitchers with hot drinks, bubble tea and smoothies at its new cafe, Brew and Co Kitchen. Research published … Read more