Richard Adams

GCSE results in England improved slightly, with 23.1% of 16-year-olds achieving grades 7–9 and 70.7% gaining grade 4 or above. Mathematics was particularly strong: 22.3% achieved grade 7 or higher, including 24% of boys, while English results also recovered after last year’s decline. Girls still outperformed boys overall, although the gender gap has narrowed since 2019. Education leaders praised pupils’ resilience after pandemic disruption but warned that compulsory English and maths resits remain ineffective, with pass rates among older students falling. Persistent regional and socioeconomic inequalities also remain, with London substantially outperforming the north-east and private-school pupils continuing to achieve far more top grades than state-school pupils.

Research by University College London finds that teenagers in England who fail to achieve a grade 4 in English or maths GCSE experience significantly lower mental wellbeing when required to resit, unlike comparable students in Wales and Northern Ireland. Researcher Robbie Maris says repeated resits may damage confidence, increase disengagement and raise the risk of leaving education or becoming not in education, employment or training. The effects vary by gender and subject: girls narrowly missing the maths threshold and boys substantially below the English threshold are most affected. England’s policy, introduced in 2014, requires students without a grade 4 in English or maths to continue studying the subjects, but success rates among resitters remain low. The Department for Education says new qualifications, minimum teaching hours and additional funding will reduce demoralisation and improve students’ chances of passing.

Jason Arday, a 41-year-old former Cambridge professor, was found unresponsive at his south London home and pronounced dead after police were called by the London Ambulance Service. The Metropolitan Police said the death was unexpected but not believed to be suspicious, with a report to be prepared for the coroner. Arday’s family blamed a sustained campaign of abuse and misinformation, while London mayor Sadiq Khan condemned what he called public hounding. Arday resigned from Cambridge after plagiarism allegations and questions about aspects of his career and personal history intensified. Liverpool John Moores University had upheld his PhD, but Cambridge, Jesus College and the University of Glasgow had announced or considered further inquiries into his qualifications and academic record.

A record proportion of top A-level grades has intensified competition for university places across the UK. More students are entering clearing, receiving insurance offers or being asked to defer, with Cardiff University asking a small number of students on oversubscribed programmes, including midwifery, to defer until 2027. Exeter students have also been disrupted by sudden geography course closures at its Cornwall campus. The changes come as selective universities increase offers more slowly than applications and institutions face wider financial pressures, restructuring and staff cuts.

A-level students achieved record results outside the pandemic era, with 9.7% of entries in England receiving an A* and Northern Ireland recording the highest combined share of A and A* grades at 30.7%, followed by Wales and England. Nearly 263,000 UK 18-year-olds have secured university places, while mathematics and economics saw notable gains in performance and popularity. Vocational qualifications also produced improved results. Despite the overall progress, significant regional and socioeconomic disparities remain, with London far ahead of the East Midlands and north-east, and boys receiving a larger share of top grades even though more girls took A-levels. Exam boards and Ofqual rejected concerns about grade inflation, asserting that grades remain nationally consistent and trusted by universities and employers.

The University of Cambridge will conduct an independent investigation into Jason Arday’s 2022 appointment as professor of sociology of education and his subsequent time at the university. Vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice acknowledged the controversy has damaged Cambridge and said the inquiry would be thorough, transparent and conducted by senior academics from inside and outside the university. Academics criticized her description of the appointment process, saying Arday was selected by a separate board of electors involving university leadership. Arday resigned after claims about his career and life story, including allegations concerning his PhD, came under scrutiny. Durham and Glasgow universities are also reviewing his appointments, while Cambridge said the case should not undermine confidence in its staff of colour.

Nearly 100 Cambridge academics have rejected the university’s announcement of reviews into Jason Arday’s appointment and research-misconduct procedures, calling instead for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation. They want scrutiny of the hiring process, the university’s handling of allegations, its communications strategy, and the impact of racist media commentary on Black staff and the institution’s equality efforts. Arday resigned after allegations and questions about his claims intensified. Jesus College has abandoned a parallel process, while the University of Glasgow has begun reviewing its own appointment of Arday.

Senior Cambridge academics are circulating a letter demanding an independent inquiry into the university’s decision to appoint Jason Arday as a sociology of education professor in 2023. They argue that university leaders may have prioritized a high-profile diversity appointment over established recruitment standards and should accept responsibility for the racism and harm the controversy has generated. Arday resigned after allegations concerning plagiarism, exaggerated academic credentials, charity fundraising claims and other biographical statements prompted the university to announce a fresh investigation. Cambridge and affiliated organizations have since removed his profiles and references, while his future speaking engagements and publishing activities face uncertainty.

The University of Greater Manchester has terminated vice-chancellor George Holmes’s contract after he was suspended in 2025 amid allegations of financial mismanagement and other misconduct. Holmes condemned the decision, saying he had been denied due process and natural justice. The move follows investigations into allegations of bullying, racism and fraud and an ongoing Greater Manchester Police investigation into suspected fraud and bribery involving more than £1m in alleged transactions. Three people have been arrested and released on bail without charge. Acting vice-chancellor Greg Walker will remain in post while the governing body considers appointing a permanent successor, with local MP Phil Brickell urging the university to restore confidence and focus on students, staff and the wider community.

Jason Arday has resigned immediately as professor of sociology at the University of Cambridge and fellow of Jesus College amid renewed investigations into his qualifications, honorary appointments and ongoing academic-misconduct complaints. He denies plagiarism and other accusations; a Liverpool John Moores University investigation previously found no plagiarism but attributed issues to probable honest error. Questions have also been raised about claimed visiting academic positions, fundraising achievements and reported threats. Cambridge and Jesus College are conducting parallel processes, while the future of his Simon & Schuster memoir is uncertain.

The University of Cambridge has opened an investigation into Jason Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments after receiving new information, while separate complaints about alleged research misconduct remain ongoing. The move follows Guardian reporting that challenged claims in Arday’s biographies and public accounts, including alleged visiting positions at other universities and accounts of fundraising and threats against him. Arday denies plagiarism and says previous investigations found no academic misconduct; Liverpool John Moores University previously did not uphold plagiarism allegations but attributed problems to honest error. Jesus College is conducting a parallel process, with Arday remaining a fellow while the reviews continue.

Soho Parish Church of England Primary School, the last remaining primary school in Soho, faces an uncertain future after pupil numbers fell from nearly 180 before Covid-19 to about 65 expected next September. Parents fear closure would remove one of the area’s last sources of family and community life, while the school faces a growing deficit under per-pupil funding. Westminster City Council, the school and the Diocese of London are reviewing options, including keeping the school open, amid a wider decline in central London and national primary-school enrolment. Parents, former pupils, local businesses and supporters including Mark Featherstone-Witty are developing plans for a more creative, community-focused school, but the campaign is under pressure from financial losses and leadership uncertainty.

The Department for Education is giving six English councils £2.1m to develop plans for converting empty classrooms and unused school facilities into youth clubs, family hubs, health centres and other community services. Birmingham, Nottingham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, Croydon and Lambeth are taking part, with initial conversions expected next year. The pilot responds to falling birthrates and pupil numbers, including a projected 6% decline in the under-16 population over the next decade and the possible closure of hundreds of primary schools. Councils support making use of surplus space but want more details, while concerns remain that school buildings could be sold and become unavailable if demographics later change.

Extreme heat across western Europe pushed temperatures in Spain above 40C, led Barcelona to record its highest reading in 112 years, and forced a temporary shutdown of a reactor at France’s Golfech nuclear plant. Authorities in France, Belgium, the UK and Ireland issued health alerts as wildfires intensified, ozone pollution rose and infrastructure came under strain. Reports from climate bodies highlighted insufficient preparedness and warned of continued heat through mid-July. Excess deaths in Belgium surged, UK school attendance dropped during the late June heatwave, and scientists linked the severity of conditions to climate change-driven weather extremes.

Police arrested three people in an investigation into alleged fraud, bribery and money laundering involving the University of Greater Manchester, with evidence reportedly exceeding £1m across dozens of transactions. Searches were conducted across several regions as detectives work with prosecutors to build an evidence file. The case follows earlier reporting on alleged misuse of university funds and has prompted regulatory scrutiny, with local political leaders calling for improved governance to restore confidence in the institution.

Teachers in England will receive a 3.5% pay rise in September followed by 3% the next year, after the government accepted recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body. The Department for Education will provide £1.8bn to help cover costs, though schools must fund nearly a third of the increase from existing budgets, prompting warnings from unions about potential staff losses and consideration of industrial action. Additional funding will support colleges, while new limits on academy executive pay drew criticism from trust leaders concerned about recruitment impacts.

The UK government plans to cap academy trust executive salaries at £174,000 and limit future raises to teacher pay awards in response to growing concerns over six‑figure compensation packages. Nearly 100 academy CEOs earn more than £200,000, with some exceeding £500,000, prompting ministers to introduce rules mirroring public sector pay frameworks. Labour sources argue that previous voluntary measures failed to curb excessive salaries. Teaching unions support the move and await the schoolteachers’ review body recommendations, though concerns remain about funding for proposed teacher pay rises.

Record-breaking heat across Europe triggered red alerts, school closures, hospital equipment failures and rising mortality, with temperatures exceeding 40C in multiple countries. The UK set a new June high of 36.4C, while France shut down nuclear reactors to protect overheated rivers, and emergency services in London reported unprecedented life‑threatening incidents. Spain, Italy and France recorded dozens of heat‑related deaths, and Germany braced for temperatures above 40C. Unions in France urged teacher strikes over unsafe conditions, UK immigration detention centres faced criticism for unlawful temperatures, and London launched its first heat plan amid mounting evidence of climate‑driven heat extremes.

New IFS estimates suggest about a quarter of UK graduates may earn less over their lifetimes than if they had not attended university, with particularly poor financial returns for creative and performing arts degrees. While most graduates are projected to earn significantly more, rising student loan repayments have eroded the overall graduate premium. The Department for Education is considering capping admissions to courses with poor outcomes and raising minimum entry requirements for student loans. Education and university leaders warn that limiting access could undermine social mobility and argue that university benefits extend beyond earnings, while alternatives such as apprenticeships remain insufficiently available.

Record UK heatwaves are straining workplaces across sectors, forcing adaptations in care homes, schools, hospitals, restaurants, zoos, transport and construction. Care homes struggle to keep vulnerable residents safe amid inadequate infrastructure. Schools face closures and operational disruptions. NHS buildings lack cooling, raising patient and staff risks. Food businesses battle spoilage, kitchen heat and unpredictable demand. Zoos implement cooling tactics for animals adapted to colder climates. Transport workers face unsafe cab temperatures, prompting union action. Construction unions call for maximum working temperatures as staff remain exposed to high-risk outdoor conditions. Calls for improved infrastructure, investment and safety measures underscore the need for climate adaptation across the UK economy.

Schools across the UK are struggling with increasingly extreme heat due to outdated or poorly designed buildings, including many constructed in the 2000s. Older Victorian-era structures often cope better than modern facilities, which lack effective heat‑mitigation features. Experts and headteachers highlight systemic failures in long‑term planning, with the Climate Change Committee warning that national adaptation measures remain inadequate. Despite government commitments to refurbishment and retrofit programmes, the scale of required upgrades far exceeds current investment, leaving thousands of schools unprepared for rising temperatures.

Record temperatures across Europe prompted school closures, transport disruptions and health warnings as France experienced its hottest day on record and reported 40 heat-related drownings in unsupervised swimming areas. The UK anticipated temperatures up to 39C, with widespread lightning storms and red heat alerts issued. Spain, Italy and the Netherlands faced severe heat conditions, while museums, transport operators and event organisers adjusted operations for safety. Retailers reported surging demand for cooling products, and international agencies warned that extreme temperatures posed serious risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Hundreds of schools across England and Wales plan closures or reduced hours as temperatures approach 40C, with unions warning that many school buildings are unsafe in extreme heat. School leaders report shortages of fans and cooling equipment as they attempt to mitigate the conditions, while parents in several regions have been informed of multiday closures. Unions urge significant government investment to modernise ageing school estates with proper ventilation and cooling systems. The Department for Education maintains that schools should generally remain open but should take necessary safety measures, while ministers acknowledge the need for long‑term improvements. Wales has issued guidance emphasising safety for vulnerable children, and some schools warn of transport disruption and have relaxed uniform requirements.

Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign as UK prime minister following Labour’s byelection defeat in Makerfield and increasing support among MPs for Andy Burnham to succeed him. Senior ministers, including Yvette Cooper, have urged him to stand down, while Donald Trump publicly criticised his leadership on immigration and energy. Polling among Labour members and NEU educators shows declining confidence in the government and stronger support for Burnham. Internal Labour debate has intensified over whether a leadership change should trigger a general election, as figures across the party express concern about legitimacy, parliamentary process and policy direction. Reform UK continues to lead national polls, while the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch distance themselves from potential alliances with Reform. Rishi Sunak advised Burnham to seek a mandate through a proper contest rather than assuming office by default as speculation grows over Starmer’s departure.

Admissions data shows no significant shift of pupils from private to state schools following the introduction of 20% VAT on private school fees in England. Applications to state schools declined overall, with no surge in areas with high concentrations of privately educated children. Independent school enrolments fell by 3.8%, while the number of private schools increased due to growth in independent special schools. VAT revenue is exceeding forecasts and is intended to fund teacher recruitment, though concerns remain over delivery of the hiring pledge.

Ministers are considering introducing a requirement for students in England to pass GCSE English to qualify for government-backed university loans, a move that could block access for more than 30,000 students annually who begin degrees without formal qualifications. Critics, including MillionPlus, warn the proposal would disproportionately harm disadvantaged and mature learners, while the Russell Group supports the idea in principle but urges flexibility to avoid penalising non-traditional applicants. The measure, framed as an English language threshold, would effectively function as an admissions barrier by restricting finance. The discussion comes as the Department for Education prepares further cuts of £100m to the strategic priorities grant, reducing funding for high-cost university courses.

Minimum grade requirements for accessing student loans in England could remove about £200m a year from universities that recruit students without formal qualifications. Institutions relying on franchise arrangements and students from non‑traditional routes would be particularly affected, with several universities admitting more than half their intake without GCSE‑level qualifications. Opponents, including the University Alliance, argue that the policy would disproportionately impact disadvantaged and mature learners. Despite rising tuition fees, financial pressures on universities persist, revealing the sector’s dependence on students requiring loan support.

More than one‑fifth of pupils in England are identified as having special educational needs, driven by an 11.6% rise in education, health and care plans and increasing demand for support. Schools, families and councils face mounting pressure as mainstream settings absorb more pupils with complex needs. Government officials cite major investment and upcoming reforms, while sector representatives and disability advocates warn that inadequate funding and limited specialist provision are leaving children without the support they require.

Research from University College London links physical punishment in early childhood with lower GCSE attainment and higher rates of bullying and antisocial behaviour. More than one fifth of 10‑year‑olds were still subjected to smacking in 2020–21, with repeated punishment between ages three and seven strongly associated with poorer literacy and exam outcomes. The findings intensified calls from experts, MPs and welfare charities for England and Northern Ireland to ban physical punishment, aligning with laws in Scotland and Wales. While the Department for Education said new legislation will bolster protection for vulnerable children, it maintains no current plans to prohibit smacking.

A west London primary school introduced monthly screen‑free Mondays, banning pupils, teachers and even parents from using digital devices. The idea, proposed by pupil Sophie Janashia, led families to replace screen time with shared activities and prompted wider interest from other schools and government officials focused on online safety. Teachers have shifted toward more hands‑on teaching methods, and parents report greater awareness of their own screen habits. The initiative is credited with improving family interaction and encouraging discussion about the impact of technology on daily life.

Teacher numbers in England’s state schools have fallen by more than 1,900 over the past year despite government claims of progress in meeting its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional staff. Department for Education figures show record-low numbers entering the profession and the lowest level of new qualified teachers in 30 years. Government ministers highlight improvements in retention and increases in special needs and further-education teachers, while unions and researchers argue that the gains cited rely on baseline figures from shortly after Labour took office and do not yet reflect policy impact. Rising eligibility for free school meals underscores widening regional inequalities across England.

Growing use of smartglasses, invisible earpieces and other connected devices is raising concerns at Ofqual about an escalation in exam cheating. Ian Bauckham warned that wearables could further undermine the reliability of GCSE and A-level results, with cases of mobile phone and smart device misuse already rising. He also noted that AI-generated coursework is becoming harder for teachers to detect, prompting consideration of stronger authenticity checks, expanded referencing requirements or more frequent progress reviews with students.

UK vice-chancellors warn that worsening financial pressures could force cuts to hardship support, outreach programs and staff, jeopardising access for disadvantaged students. A Universities UK poll shows widespread consideration of redundancies and hiring freezes, with some institutions exploring mergers such as King’s College London’s absorption of Cranfield University. Experts argue that reducing hardship funding would undermine social mobility and widen access gaps, while unions call for government investment to stabilise higher education. Student representatives highlight rising living costs and stagnant maintenance loans as financial pressures intensify.

Universities minister Chris Skidmore has criticised UK higher education institutions after official figures indicated that no black staff were recorded in the most senior university roles in 2018–19, although rounding means one or two may have been counted as zero. Black staff represented 16% of academic employees but held very few senior and non-academic managerial positions. The data also showed modest growth in female professorships and a decline in zero-hours academic contracts. Separate Department for Education figures found that graduate earnings varied substantially by institution and region, with selective London universities, Oxford and Cambridge retaining pay premiums and some unusual regional differences.

David Lammy criticised Oxford and Cambridge for pressuring journalists over accurate data showing minimal progress in admitting black and disadvantaged students. The figures revealed that several colleges made no offers to black British applicants and that offers were heavily concentrated in wealthier regions. Jo Johnson supported calls for improved access, while Labour MPs highlighted persistent inequalities. Cambridge released updated admissions data showing modest increases in black British students.