Beth Dawson, head of Sutton High School, GDST, writes a letter to The Times following research which found that female graduates from 12 independent schools are '20 times as likely' to reach prominent positions meriting their inclusion in Who's Who. She says: "Assessing positions of power by virtue of inclusion in Who’s Who is hardly a way to examine the success of a school’s alumnae or the success of women. Instead we should surely focus on those who have aspired to make meaningful and beneficial change to society." The letter is published below halfway.

Data from the Department for Education (DfE) has revealed that the gap in average A-level grades between disadvantaged and wealthier pupils is the widest since statistics were first collected in 2016-17. Figures released by Ofqual also show that more students required additional exam support this year. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The average A-level grade awarded to poorer students this year was C+, nearly a full grade lower than their wealthier peers’ average B grade, according to the DfE statistics. By Mary-Louise Clews and Matilda Martin, Tes.

The Times reports that the UK faces 'renewed austerity' under prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to reduce spending on public services, including schools. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is reportedly intending to slow increases in spending after 2025, from the planned 3.7 per cent to one per cent. By Steven Swinford and Oliver Wright.

Government funding for early years education and childcare is likely to fall by eight per cent next year in real terms, economists at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have warned. By Jon Stone, The Independent.

In a letter to education secretary Gillian Keegan, the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) has said that unless there is a “material change in income”, many schools could become “technically insolvent” by early 2024. By Callum Mason, Tes.

Writing in Schools Week, Luke Sibieta, research fellow in education at the IFS, considers whether the decline in the school-age population could present the Government with an opportunity to save money in the medium term. He warns, however, that potential savings will need to be balanced against rising costs.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has announced the threshold for industrial action has been met in 126 workplaces. The union, which represents junior civil servants, said that unless “substantial proposals” are received from the Government, a programme of “sustained action” could see 25 per cent of DfE staff going on strike in the coming months. By Amy Walker, Schools Week.

According to BBC News, members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) are preparing to stage a 24-hour walkout on 24 November after voting 'overwhelmingly' to take industrial action in a dispute over pay.

A group of organisations representing heads, governors, teachers and academy trust leaders has advised that schools may need to provide both gender-neutral and single-sex toilets to ensure that facilities are convenient for those using them. The unofficial guidance has been provided to help members in advance of the anticipated publication of advice from the DfE. By John Roberts and Rhodri Morgan, Tes.

A report from Onward, a centre-right think-tank, has found that wealthier children are 'three times more likely to sing in a choir or play in a band'. Nearly half of young people from the most affluent areas attend music clubs outside school, according to the report, compared with a quarter from the most deprived ones. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Teachers have told The Guardian that children not eligible for free school meals are 'coming to school with mouldy bread, empty wraps and in some cases nothing at all'. Analysis by the Liberal Democrats has also found more than 100,000 children in England may be missing out on free school meals as the cost of living rises. By Sally Weale, Richard Adams and Patrick Butler.

Research by the Gambling Commission has shown that 3.5 per cent of children aged 11 to 16 have 'struggled with a betting addiction or showed signs of developing one'. The most common type of gambling among children was found to be playing arcade game machines. By Andrew Ellison, The Times.

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