Education
Medway caves after Ombudsman rap
Medway Council has finally accepted the recommendations in a Local Government Ombudsman public interest report after a two-year stand-off.
Let's put investment into our school buildings
Schools capital allocations have been skewed by political priorities, says Gary Fielding As a result, North Yorkshire CC 'find ourselves with swathes of the country having insufficient places to meet demand and/or poor building conditions'.
Sutton set to take full ownership of outsourced education company
An independent report has found that the company had ‘moved away’ from the council’s ‘ambitions and values’.
A gap that will prove hard to close
Dan Peters investigates the scale of the funding challenge faced by the 32 councils told by the Government to bring their SEND funding deficit back into balance within three years.
‘We must do more than tinker at the edges’
The system needs a truly sustainable multi-year financial settlement to ensure children and young people with SEND get the support they need, argues Phil Norrey.
Bristol is the first city worldwide to adopt a Period-Friendly Places model
Cllr Helen Godwin explains how Bristol is tackling the issue of period poverty - becoming the world’s first city to adopt a Period-Friendly Places model.
YPO agrees £50m Findel purchase
The public sector procurement company has struck a deal to buy rival Findel Education.
The importance of an early start
With concerns of underfunding remaining in the childcare sector, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) president Rachel Dickinson outlines what she would like to see from future early years policies.
Not a business as usual approach
Metro Dynamics has launched a guide for people working in and with towns that distils what it has learned over the past few years, based on eight principles. Mike Emmerich explains.
It’s party time
With just a week to polling day, the race to form the next Government is nearly over. Here Paul Marinko tries to help the sector navigate the web of policy commitments for local government on offer after 12 December.
Ofsted reform plans come under fire
Proposals to intensify the inspection regime for schools have been attacked by teaching unions.
We’ll give power back to the people
As the General Election looms, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson outlines the key commitments the party has focused on – and is adamant strong leadership at a national level will boost local powers for the future.
Bristol accused of 'abject failure' over SEND care plans
An overhaul of services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is under way at Bristol City Council, after it failed to meet deadlines for families applying for support.
Brum wins battle to ban anti LGBT protests
Birmingham City Council has won a court battle to permanently ban anti-LGBT protests outside a local primary school.
Reflecting on the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) president, vice president and past presidents reflect on the successes of the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004, and what has changed since they became law.
Lib Dems to 'end continual erosion' of council funding
Lib Dems would ‘end the continual erosion’ of local government funding if they win power at the General Election, the party’s manifesto has pledged.
Creating a country that works for all
Arianna Giovannini of IPPR North says that whichever party emerges as the winner on 13 December should prioritise rebalancing our national economy - creating a country that works for everyone.
Working with young people across Medway to reduce the number of NEET
Medway Council has achieved significant falls in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Ian Sutherland explains how this has been achieved.
York’s rural champions
North Yorkshire CC has launched an independent rural commission, believed to be the first of its kind, to give a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by its deeply rural communities. Heather Jameson takes a look.
North Yorkshire expands commercial operations
North Yorkshire CC’s trading arm has acquired a company that will allow it to expand into the rest of Yorkshire and beyond.