Editorial

The Department for Education has announced the introduction of a natural history GCSE, following more than a decade of campaigning by environmentalists. Education minister Catherine McKinnell said the qualification would equip pupils to “understand and respect the natural world” and contribute to its conservation. The government will consult on subject content later this year. 

Harvard University has announced that it will provide free tuition to families earning less than $200,000 a year, with additional support for those earning under $100,000. Other US institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania, have adopted similar policies, and the change will begin in the 2025–26 academic year.

The Conservative Party is pushing for a vote on banning mobile phones in schools, arguing that current guidance leaving decisions to head teachers “hasn’t worked”. Party leader Kemi Badenoch has launched a petition and will host a round table with experts to build support. The Labour government, however, remains resistant to a legal ban and has asked officials to provide guidance for parents instead.

A Department for Education report from UCL has found boys in England are now significantly ahead of girls in maths and science, with the gender gap in maths the largest among countries surveyed. Researchers called for further investigation into factors such as confidence and absenteeism.

Alleyn’s School in south London, founded in 1619, is expanding north of the Thames to take over two North Bridge House schools in Regent’s Park and Hampstead, forming the new Alleyn’s Schools Group in partnership with Cognita. Both schools will adopt Alleyn’s curriculum, which includes a digital and ethical skills programme.

Deakin University and Lancaster University have launched Indonesia’s first UK-Australia joint international campus in Bandung, offering UK and Australian dual qualifications to Indonesian students. The campus will initially offer undergraduate qualifications in Business and Information Technology starting from September 2025.

The University of Sussex will launch the UK’s first undergraduate degree in Climate Justice, Sustainability, and Development in 2026. The announcement comes after a Future Forum survey which found that 72% of 14-18-year-olds want more rigorous climate education, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

The U.S. Education Department has launched the "End DEI" portal for the public to report diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in publicly funded K-12 schools, as part of the Trump administration's broader effort to dismantle DEI programs. Legal challenges have been raised from teachers’ unions and academic groups, while a federal judge has already blocked parts of Trump’s broader DEI crackdown.

Polling reveals that nearly a third of children in the UK—an estimated 3.3 million—refused to attend school at least once in the past year, with one in six being persistently absent. Many parents struggle to enforce school attendance due to factors such as a lack of SEN support and mental health issues, prompting calls for greater parental support rather than punitive measures. 

UK universities using the platform Enroly to run automated visa sponsorship interviews for international offer holders face deepfake fraud, which enable candidates to manipulate voices, faces, or use stand-ins. While only 30 cases were detected among 20,000 interviews, experts highlight the importance of enhancing detection measures. 

Harrow School will open its first Middle East branch in Abu Dhabi next year, marking the emirate’s first boarding school. Located on Saadiyat Island, Harrow International School Abu Dhabi will cater to 1,800 pupils, with enrolment beginning in October 2025. Operated by UAE education provider Taaleem, the school aims to deliver a British curriculum with a strong focus on leadership and character development.

To improve completion rates and address skill shortages, the UK government will now allow businesses to decide whether Maths and English qualifications are required for adult apprentices. Additionally, from August 2025, the minimum apprenticeship duration will be reduced from 12 months to eight months.

The U.S. Department of Education is significantly cutting the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), cancelling contracts which could limit access to decades of educational data. The move aligns with President Trump's stated goal of reducing or closing the Education Department, with his administration citing government efficiency and cost-cutting as key reasons.

Universities in Leicestershire have launched a scheme allowing local residents and students to access university libraries for free to borrow books and use study spaces. The initiative, involving the University of Leicester, De Montfort University and Loughborough University, aims to enhance community access to academic resources and support local education. 

Yale-NUS College, a partnership between Yale University and the National University of Singapore (NUS) established in 2013, will close at the end of this academic year, with its programmes merging into the newly formed NUS College.