Combine classes in case of Covid staff shortages, DfE tells teachers in England

Tories criticised for failing to tackle Omicron earlier as Covid infections are still highCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has told headteachers in England to start preparing for staff shortages by using suppor…

If you’ve resolved to improve your finances for the new year …

We asked a range of experts to set out a strategy to tackle all the most common money problemsIt’s a new year and many of us are looking for a fresh start after a very difficult 2021. We’ve asked a group of experts for their advice on how to tackle som…

‘Big squeeze’: UK university applicants facing stiffest competition in years

Deferrals and grade inflation in 2021 means fewer offers and tighter criteria for this year’s sixth-formers Sixth-formers applying to university this year may face the toughest competition for a decade, particularly for courses such as medicine, with …

Universities in England ‘failing to mark down students’ for poor writing skills

Office for Students claims use of ‘inclusive assessment’ policies contributes to grade inflationUniversities and colleges are failing to mark down students for poor spelling, grammar and punctuation, which is leading to grade inflation because of a mis…

Architect of £9,000 tuition fees calls for faster loan repayments

David Willetts says taxpayers footing too much of the bill for university students’ unpaid loansThe government should build universities in places such as Blackpool to help regenerate local economies, and boost higher education funding by making gradua…