Our Free Schools Round Up will provide you with education headlines from the past month, featuring key updates on each of the free school waves including education and academy news highlights.
Key Updates on Waves
Special Wave
The application window for SEND Wave 4 closed on 19th July and successful applicants will be invited for interviews in Autumn once the DfE has assessed all applications. If you are successful and need help with your interview preparation, please get in touch with one of our advisors via hello@createschools.co.uk. Create Schools is also providing mock interviews and interview preparation sessions for successful applicants in the local authority competitions so please contact us for more information. For news regarding the changes in education policies following the elections and change in government, check out our latest blog post detailing what to expect under Labour.
Free Schools in the News: This Month's Top Stories
England's sixth-formers achieved record A-level results, with a significant rise in A* and A grades, particularly in maths and sciences. However, regional disparities persist, with London leading and the East Midlands lagging behind. The overall rise in top grades contrasts with declines in Wales and Northern Ireland. Despite pandemic disruptions, disadvantaged students saw increased university placements. Meanwhile, T-levels, a vocational equivalent, struggled with low completion rates and top-grade achievements.
The Scottish government has endorsed mobile phone bans in schools, empowering headteachers to enforce restrictions to reduce classroom distractions and prevent bullying. While schools can set their own policies, guidance suggests phones be handed over before classes or kept off during lessons. Exceptions are advised for students with special needs. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth emphasises that these measures aim to enhance student outcomes, although critics highlight potential challenges due to insufficient digital resources.
The UK government is creating a £3 million "content store" to train AI for educational use, pooling resources like curriculum guidance and anonymised pupil assessments. The initiative aims to produce reliable AI-generated lesson plans and marking tools, easing teacher workloads. An additional £1 million will incentivise AI firms to develop effective tools by 2025. While the project marks progress, concerns remain about AI's reliability and its safe implementation in schools.
GCSE results in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 70.4% of students in England achieving a grade 4 or higher. This year's results mark a stabilisation in grading, reflecting consistency and reliability. While top grades have slightly increased compared to 2023, the return to normal exam conditions highlights both achievements and challenges for students, especially those facing compulsory resits for not meeting the grade 4 benchmark.
Eric Wright Construction has begun work on a £22 million college building for the Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. The new facility, designed for students aged 16-25 with complex disabilities, will feature 12 classrooms, specialised teaching spaces, and a range of amenities including a café, fitness suite, and sensory rooms. The state-of-the-art building, tailored to enhance accessibility and learning, replaces an outdated structure and is set for completion in Autumn next year.
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