Inherited intelligence could account for nearly 60 per cent of a pupil’s results at GCSE level, according to new research by a scientist at Kings College London. Based on a long-term study of more than 11,000 twins in England and Wales, the study by Professor Robert Plomin suggests that children’s genes have a “substantial” bearing […]

Thousands of GCSE maths students are to sit more than one exam to raise the chances of them achieving a grade C or greater, the exams regulator has warned. Ofqual said as many as 15 per cent of GCSE candidates were last year submitted for maths exams with multiple boards in a bid to boost […]

Biology students at Runshaw College in Lancashire are to receive only their predicted AS and A level grades for a recent exam, after an examining board ruled that their teachers had given them an unfair advantage. The Lancashire Evening Post reports that some 650 biology A level candidates at the college, which claims to be […]

Changes to the way schools are ranked have resulted in more than 100 institutions previously rated as “outstanding” being downgraded by schools inspector Ofsted. Prior to the new system, introduced in September 2012, schools could be rated “outstanding” even if the quality of teaching was not judged to be of the very highest level. This […]

A planned series of strikes by teaching unions in England and Wales risks damaging children’s learning, education secretary Michael Gove has said. The walkouts, which are being staged by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, will take place regionally in October and be followed by […]

Would-be adult learners are failing to take advantage of adult learner loans to begin an apprenticeship, according to new figures. 24+ Advanced Learning Loans are available to anyone over that age looking to start an apprenticeship or other course on or after August 1st 2013. In total, 8679 applications have been made by those 24 […]

With small numbers of young people pursuing maths into further education, universities have been encouraged to support schools that specialise in the discipline. The education minister Elizabeth Truss said too few students are continuing maths studies beyond the age of 16, and as a result are missing out on a huge number of degree and […]

The 12 times tables will be reintroduced to primary school children in a new curriculum announced by the education secretary Michael Gove today. Five year olds will also be taught fractions again from this early age, as the emphasis shifts back to a more traditional academic curriculum. Currently, children up to the age of 11 […]

Although they are in principal “free”, a new study has found that the cost of sending a child to state school could cost as much as £22,000 during their time in education. When the costs of breakfast clubs, after-school care, lunches, uniform and other necessities are combined, insurers Aviva calculated that an average of £1,614 […]

Technical courses could carry the same status as A-levels from 2014, the government announced today. In a radical shake up, 16 to 19-years-olds studying technical courses woulc be put on the same level as those studying A-levels – provided they are given the relevant support by businesses and universities. Some have voiced concerns over the […]