Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Yesterday
3rd Jul 2024
Sir Kevan Collins ‘agnostic’ about school structures
Former catch-up adviser and EEF chief also says variation between schools needs to be ‘faced down’
![Sir Kevan Collins ‘agnostic’ about school structures](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-07/Kevan_Collins6_0.jpg?itok=g5BFFMXO)
Exclusive
New call for complete ban of mobile phones in Scottish schools
Smartphones in classrooms cause ‘severe loss in focus’ among pupils and fuel ‘hostility’ towards teachers, suggests petition to Scottish Parliament
![New call for complete ban of mobile phones in Scottish schools](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/phone%20ban3.jpg?itok=Gn0X3HB2)
Tuesday
2nd Jul 2024
7 demands from North East leaders ahead of the election
School leaders’ network Schools North East’s manifesto calls on the next government to recognise the impact of long-term poverty on schools
![Election 2024: 7 demands from North East school leaders](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-07/Food%20bank.jpg?itok=VQboiohU)
DfE property firm helps sell 1 surplus school site in 5 years
LocatED director previously claimed that schools were sitting on surplus land ‘the size of central London’
![DfE property firm helps sell 1 surplus school site in 5 years](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-07/property%20sale.jpg?itok=DAXcgseF)
Exclusive
Monday
1st Jul 2024
How ‘compelling alternatives to traditional exams’ can come to life
A new international sustainability diploma shows how Scottish educational reform might play out in classrooms, explains headteacher Ian Munro
![How ‘compelling alternatives to traditional exams’ can come to life](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/compelling%20alternatives.jpg?itok=XK_a7FqK)
A bet on education is a bet on the future of the country
If the next government truly wants to grow the country, it should not overlook the dividends that an investment in education pays – and where the money needs to go
![A bet on education is a bet on the future of the country](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/education%20future.jpg?itok=xFKobvmg)
Friday
28th Jun 2024
Scottish councils reject requirement to maintain teacher numbers
Local authorities say they ‘recognise the vital role of teachers’ but that ‘progress cannot be made by focusing on teachers alone’
![Scottish councils reject requirement to maintain teacher numbers](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/grant%20reject.jpg?itok=K6Z0FtIg)
3 bleak stats the next education secretary needs to know
The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders outlines three key statistics that should sharpen the mind of the next government
![3 bleak stats the next education secretary needs to know](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/3%20bleak%20stats.jpg?itok=wCLRJBiO)
Unfunded support staff pay rises cannot continue
The next government must recognise that forcing unfunded salary rises for support staff onto schools is not viable and it is hollowing out a vital layer of staff, says Duncan Spalding
![Unfunded support staff pay rises cannot continue](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/unfunded%20pay%20rises.jpg?itok=gLkclCPE)
Weekly round-up: ITT recruitment trouble and staff leaving
This week’s essential education news includes high rejection rates for ITT applications for subjects with staff shortages, and the scale of the teacher retention crisis
![Weekly round-up: ITT recruitment trouble and staff leaving](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/RoundUp27June.jpg?itok=jWjmVnPR)
Teachers’ views sought on new Scottish education bill
The education bill promises to ‘better support pupils and teachers’, so MSPs are particularly keen to hear their opinions
![Teachers' views sought on new Scottish education bill](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-06/teachers%20view.jpg?itok=xnDhAmaw)