The Labour Party intends to prioritize improving school attendance if it wins the next election, with Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announcing measures including the use of artificial intelligence to identify patterns in student absences. The announcement comes as the government plans to expand its attendance-hub scheme to aid an additional thousand schools in England. Labour's proposal has the support of Sir Kevan Collins, former education catch-up tsar.

University students in England are facing a financial crisis as accommodation costs consume nearly all of the average maintenance loan, leaving little for other essentials. Unipol, a student housing charity, and the Higher Education Policy Institute reported a 14.6% increase in student rent over the past two years, while maintenance loans only rose by 5.2%. The Department for Education urges students to seek help from their universities. Unipol and Hepi call for reforming the student finance system, suggesting maintenance loans be rebranded as 'contributions to living costs' and highlighting the need for parental contributions. The National Union of Students advocates for loans to align with inflation, noting the impact on students from poorer backgrounds. Personal accounts from students Julia Żelazo and Kayleigh Atkins illustrate the struggle to afford basic living expenses and academic resources.

An inquest ruled that an Ofsted inspection contributed to the death of head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while awaiting the report's publication. The inspection was criticized for lacking fairness and being intimidating. The coroner's verdict highlighted the negative impact of the inspection system on school leaders. Ruth Perry's family and education officials called for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies. The Education Secretary and Ofsted acknowledged the need for changes, while the coroner issued a prevention of future death notice to address the systemic issues.

An inquest ruled that an Ofsted inspection contributed to the death of head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while awaiting the report's publication. The inspection was criticized for lacking fairness and sensitivity. Ofsted's chief inspector apologized for the distress caused and announced changes to reduce pressure on school leaders. The coroner's verdict highlighted the need for urgent reforms in the inspection process, with calls for Ofsted to reflect and make necessary changes. The Education Secretary emphasized the importance of learning lessons and supporting school leaders.

Accommodation costs consume nearly all of the average maintenance loan for university students in England, according to Unipol and the Higher Education Policy Institute. The average student rent has increased by 14.6% over the past two years, while maintenance loans have only risen by 5.2%. The Department for Education advises concerned students to seek help from their universities. Unipol and Hepi call for reforms to the student finance system, while the National Union of Students argues for maintenance loans to be adjusted for inflation. Rising accommodation costs are forcing students to work part-time and live under financial strain, with significant disparities between those who can afford university life and those who cannot.

A Youth Sport Trust survey indicates a widening gap in enjoyment of PE lessons between boys and girls in England, with 59% of girls liking PE compared to 84% of boys. The survey, which interviewed nearly 25,000 children, found that periods and low confidence were key reasons for girls' reluctance. The government plans to improve girls' access to sport, with over £600m in funding. The Youth Sport Trust calls for more action to engage young women in sport, emphasizing the importance of PE for girls' social and emotional wellbeing. Olympic medalist Holly Bradshaw and academic Dr. Jackie Day-Garner suggest role models and active mothers can help increase girls' sports engagement.

A Youth Sport Trust survey reveals a widening gap between boys and girls in England who enjoy PE, with periods and low confidence cited as key reasons for girls' disinterest. Only 59% of girls in secondary schools like PE compared to 84% of boys. The government aims to improve girls' access to sport with a £600m funding plan. Experts suggest role models and diverse PE activities could boost girls' participation. Olympic athlete Holly Bradshaw and others highlight the importance of addressing body-confidence issues and outdated sports curricula.

The gap between boys and girls in England who enjoy PE lessons is widening, with only 59% of girls in secondary schools enjoying PE compared to 84% of boys, according to a Youth Sport Trust survey. This marks a decline from 74% of girls in 2016, while boys' enjoyment has remained stable. The government aims to improve girls' access to sport by encouraging schools to offer a minimum of two hours of physical education weekly and has allocated over £600m in funding. Periods and low confidence are cited as common reasons for girls' disinterest in sports.

Labour's proposed measures to improve school attendance in England include free breakfast clubs for primary schools, better mental health support, and increased funding for early speech and language interventions. Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the importance of school attendance for children's life chances and called for a partnership between parents, schools, and the government. The plans also involve creating a national register for home-schooled pupils, using Ofsted to review attendance data, and employing AI to spot trends in absence. Sir Kevan Collins, the former school catch-up tsar, supports the proposals, highlighting the ongoing impact of the pandemic on school absence and educational attainment.

A Youth Sport Trust survey reveals a significant drop in the number of secondary school girls who enjoy PE, from 74% in 2016 to 59% currently, while boys' enjoyment remains stable at 84%. The Department for Education aims to enhance girls' access to sport by encouraging schools to offer at least two hours of physical education weekly. Common reasons for girls' disinterest include periods and low confidence. The charity calls for urgent action to improve girls' future activity levels, with Olympic athlete Holly Bradshaw suggesting more diverse PE kit options to boost participation.