Highlights of the week ending 4 November
The top story of the past fortnight was the appointment of a new DfE ministerial team, with Gillian Keegan becoming the fifth Education Secretary in four months. Joining her in the Education Department are veteran Schools Minister Nick Gibb, former Chair of the Education Select Committee Robert Halfon, existing Minister for the School and College system Baroness Barran, and Sunak supporter Claire Coutinho.
Separately, Andrew Lewer has joined the Education Select Committee, whilst a new Chair will need to be elected following Halfon’s ministerial appointment. So far Robin Walker, Jonathan Gullis and David Simmonds have announced their candidacy, with more expected to follow.
In Scotland, the Scottish Government has launched a consultation as part of an independent review of qualifications and assessment announced by Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville in October 2021. The consultation closes on 16 December.
Elsewhere the Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education (ICAPE) has recommended that Year 6 SATs should be phased out.