NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede, born 1987, has led UK teachers’ union since 2023; focused on pay, funding, workload, and curriculum reform.
[Synopsis required]
As temperatures surge across the UK and Europe, schools face red heat warnings. Authorities urge adaptive measures from headteachers, including flexible timings, ventilation, hydration, and possible early closures. The debate over whether to close schools or keep them open intensifies as unions demand better climate-ready infrastructure.
The Department for Education has announced extra funding to support teacher pay rises but requires schools to cover the first 1% of each increase. NEU and other unions say this is not fully funded and will put pressure on budgets, amid a two-year funding package for schools and colleges.
England has progressed to the World Cup knockout stages after Harry Kane’s late double against DR Congo. The team is set to face Mexico in a pre-dawn game in Mexico City, prompting discussions on late-night viewing for fans and potential changes to school and work start times.
Recent EPI findings show the education gap between poorer pupils and their wealthier peers has widened again across England, remaining larger at all stages than before the Covid pandemic. The report highlights particularly stark gaps in early years and at Key Stage 4, with London pupils occasionally outperforming peers from similar backgrounds.