WEDNESDAY, 29 JULY 2026, 15:57
Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity
School pupils will learn how to plant a wildflower-friendly garden, according to long-awaited plans announced on Thursday for a natural history GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Campaigners have for more than a decade called for the study of biodiversity loss and global heating...
Data shows sharp increase in number of children receiving extra support and highlights pressure on schools, families and councils
More than one in five pupils in England have special educational needs, as the latest official figures show a sharp increase in the numbers of children receiving extra support in school.
The annual data from the Department for Education (DfE) confirms predictions of...
More than one in five pupils in England – around 1.8 million children – get extra support in school.
The UCL study also found physically punished children were more likely to struggle in school
Children smacked by their parents struggle to get good exam results and are more likely to bully others, causing a negative impact on society, according to new research calling for smacking to be banned.
The study by University College London (UCL) found that children in England who were physically...
A University College London (UCL) study suggests that smacking children “does no good whatsoever”.
Treasury minister Lucy Rigby says the government has the right to alter terms of existing agreements
Ministers have rejected accusations that recent changes to student loans were unfair, arguing they are so heavily subsidised that the government has the right to alter their terms.
Pressure has been intensifying on the UK government to reform the student loans system but the chief secretary to...
More are reading for fun for the first time in five years, according to new research.
More than one in three now say they like picking up books in their spare time, according to a literacy charity.
A new scheme to support care leavers’ relationships is welcome. But loneliness is one problem among many
It might sound obvious that – as Benjamin Zephaniah wrote – “People will always need people / To make life appealing / And give life some meaning.” But the care system has not always behaved as though relationships are a condition of human flourishing. So it is good to see this...
There are more than one million young carers in the UK – with an average age of 12 – which is the equivalent of two kids in every school class. Do they feel supported? In Walthamstow, east London, we meet a group of carers as they are collected for a rare night off that brings a sense of community and a glimpse of fun for a few hours every few weeks. It’s hosted by Satvinder, a tenacious...
There are more than one million young carers in the UK – with an average age of 12 – which is the equivalent of two kids in every school class. Do they feel supported? In Walthamstow, east London, we meet a group of carers as they are collected for a rare night off that brings a sense of community and a glimpse of fun for a few hours every few weeks. It’s hosted by Satvinder, a...
Backed by a mix of private and public finance, Huddersfield and Manchester are among many in the academic sector helping to create jobs and growth
Huddersfield might appear an unlikely setting for a thriving health research complex. The West Yorkshire town is best known for its manufacturing heritage, but has quickly become a honey pot for private sector businesses keen to collaborate with the...
‘Families deserve clarity about the qualifications and training of those caring for their children’
Firms will be expected to activate built-in features to stop children accessing sexually explicit images.
The prime minister has pledged “decisive” measures in response to calls for an Australia-style ban.
The guidance is set to include tips on how much screen time children aged five to 16 should have.
The Netherlands has one of the world’s lowest rates of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training.
Holy Family Catholic primary school says enthusiastic response from parents has been biggest surprise
Schools banning pupils from having smartphones are commonplace. But what about a school where pupils ban teachers from using their smartphones, and then get their parents to join in?
And not just phones: at Holy Family Catholic primary school in west London teachers are also barred from using...
An autism school in Wiltshire exemplifies what’s so different about education in a tailored environment, and the outcomes for children speak for themselves
In the old Wiltshire milltown of Calne, there is an autism specialist school called the Springfields Academy. About 250 children and young people between the age of four and 19 go there. Class sizes are no larger than 12. In each room, every...
Fuelled by social media, the market for children’s skincare is booming. Experts fear for the long-term impact on girls
Getting children to school is becoming a thorny issue for councils to deal with.