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Daily News Summary
24 March 2022

Spring statement: Heads “disappointed” by decision not to increase education funding
UCAS considers replacing personal statements
DfE refuses to say when Key Stage 1 SATs will be scrapped
DfE to introduce minimum standards for tech used in classrooms
Sector leaders warn that some teachers are having to use food banks
Police Scotland criticised for refusing to tell schools when teachers are under investigation

Spring statement: Heads “disappointed” by decision not to increase education funding

 

Headteachers have said they are “disappointed” by the Government’s decision not to increase education funding in the spring statement, with Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, warning: “More pay cuts will increase the already serious teacher recruitment and retention problems that are clearly impacting negatively on children and young people’s education.” By Catherine Lough, The Independent.

A new analysis of the spring statement by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said that the changes to student loans will save the Government billions of pounds. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has been accused of “yanking” £11bn out of graduates’ pockets over a series of changes to student loans. By Will Hazell, iNews.

 

UCAS considers replacing personal statements

 

According to iNews, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is looking at replacing personal statements with a series of questions in order to level the playing field between applicants. By Will Hazell.

 
iNews

DfE refuses to say when Key Stage 1 SATs will be scrapped

 

According to Schools Week, the Department for Education (DfE) has refused to say when Key Stage 1 SATs will be scrapped after confirming rough dates for the tests in both 2023 and 2024. By Freddie Whittaker.

 
Schools Week

DfE to introduce minimum standards for tech used in classrooms

 

Speaking at the Bett 2022 conference, the education secretary announced that schools will be expected to ensure that the tech they use in classrooms meets a set of minimum standards set by the Department for Education (DfE), adding that the Government will make sure schools have access to high-speed broadband by 2025. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

 
Tes

Sector leaders warn that some teachers are having to use food banks

 

Sector leaders have warned that some teachers are having to use food banks and charitable assistance as a result of the cost of living crisis. By Callum Mason, Tes.

 
Tes

Police Scotland criticised for refusing to tell schools when teachers are under investigation

 

Police Scotland have been accused of an “appalling” disregard for child safety by refusing to tell schools when teachers are under investigation and placing suspects data rights ahead of pupil protection. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

 
The Times

 

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