AGP Executive Report

School Access & Inclusion: Glasgow School of Art reports its highest retention rate for students from Scotland’s poorest areas, with 97% continuing into second year and 22.9% of new entrants coming from the 20% most deprived communities. Child Safety & Health: A Welsh study warns nearly 40% of parents have used unsafe feeding practices due to formula costs, including watering down feeds and reducing sterilisation. Migrant Workforce Scrutiny: A Royal College of Nursing report says more than 30 cases of migrant nurse exploitation have been recorded in Northern Ireland care, linked to visa sponsorship power imbalances. Community Impact: Sandwell Council has applied to demolish the former Cradley Heath Community Centre to build about 13 homes, despite its past role for advice, classes and youth groups. Outdoor Learning: Teesside Wildlife Trust and partners are rolling out free access to nature reserves for local primary schools, with teacher training to embed outdoor learning. Education in the Spotlight: A “sobering” Edinburgh Fringe play about US gun violence has been endorsed by Dunblane families during the 30th anniversary year. Back-to-School Costs: HMRC is urging working parents in Wales to use Tax-Free Childcare, which can cut childcare bills by up to around £100 a month.

School attendance crackdown: England’s Department for Education says pupil absences surged during heatwaves, and schools will now face individual attendance targets, with unions warning it could become another blame game. Safeguarding and abuse allegations: Defence Secretary Wes Streeting says he’s “absolutely sickened” by BBC reports of rape and sexual abuse allegations at the Army Foundation College for 16- and 17-year-olds, with calls for culture change. Tragic death in Scotland: Police Scotland confirmed an 11-year-old girl was found dead in the Gore Water near Shank Bridge after a search in Gore Glen Woodland Park. Back-to-school support: Back-to-school fairs and uniform swap schemes are helping families with rising costs, while separate reporting highlights how heat and expense are both hitting attendance and wellbeing. Food safety and fraud: A University of Portsmouth study estimates food fraud could cost Britain up to £2bn a year and link it to illness and deaths. Learning and facilities: Renfrewshire Council has released first looks at a new £85.5m Paisley Grammar School campus, and East Lothian retained a Food for Life Served Here silver award for school meals. Higher education access: A report urges primary schools to identify children at risk of becoming NEET, with a Government review led by Alan Milburn due in autumn.

University–football partnership: University of South Wales has teamed up with Newport County AFC to give students placements and internships across media, physiotherapy, football analysis and strength & conditioning, with interns progressing into jobs. Food security and drought: Farmers in Suffolk report yields down 25–30% as the driest July on record bites, raising fresh food security fears. Young carers support: Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade is pushing for a trained Young Carers Champion in every school in England to spot hidden caring responsibilities and ensure support. School shooting in Thailand: A student gunman opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok, with reports of six killed and at least 20 injured; authorities say the suspect died at the scene. Uniform costs help: In Tees Valley, a uniform bank partnership with Ramsay Health Care UK is collecting and redistributing pre-loved uniforms as families struggle with rising back-to-school bills. Safety on e-scooters: A UK study finds e-scooter riders face higher risks of brain and internal organ injuries than cyclists or motorcyclists, with helmet use rare. Back-to-school pressure in Scotland: A care home in Fortrose shared “no wrong path” messages with school leavers after exam results.

School attendance targets: England’s government says all schools will get pupil attendance targets, as debate grows over how to tackle absence. Exam inequality in Scotland: A new look at Scotland’s results finds the biggest gaps are in grade-by-grade outcomes, not just pass rates. Safety in schools: Scottish Liberal Democrats cite 57 knife/blade possession crimes in Glasgow schools (plus 19 involving weapons used in other offences). Army Foundation College allegations: A graduation parade for 700 teenage recruits at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College was overshadowed by fresh sexual misconduct and assault allegations. Cambridge professor scandal: Professor Jason Arday resigns after Cambridge launches further investigation into claims about his qualifications and research. University antisemitism case: A Quebec court allowed a McGill class action over alleged campus antisemitism to proceed. Health and education link: UK researchers report atopic dermatitis is associated with a higher risk of shingles. Back-to-school support: Morrisons is running a 25% off school uniform promotion ahead of September. Community learning through art: Young people in Hamilton turned local underpasses into murals as part of a council-backed project.

Cambridge Plagiarism Fallout: Jason Arday has resigned from his Cambridge roles after the university launched a probe into allegations about his PhD and claims about his career history, reigniting debate about how institutions handle misconduct and scrutiny. Higher Ed Partnerships: Leeds University Business School is launching a four-year Talent Track BSc Accounting and Finance (Professional) with Grant Thornton UK, mixing paid placements with a route to professional qualification. Medical Training Expansion: Simon Fraser University’s new medical school in Surrey has welcomed its first 48 students, starting a year-round programme aimed at easing doctor shortages. School Uniform Cost Rules: From September 2026, schools in England must limit branded compulsory uniform and PE kit items to three (or four for some secondary/middle schools), targeting lower costs for parents. Local Education Access: A Liverpool campaign to improve Speke’s “ignored” community is gathering pace after a report, with talks now underway about a new community park site. Safeguarding & Student Safety: Police have charged a man extradited from Latvia over the 2024 hit-and-run death of Coventry schoolboy Keaton Slater. Mental Health Support: England is set to open 159 new NHS mental health facilities, including walk-in community centres and emergency departments, to bring help closer to home.

University & Rights: An Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled the University of Bristol unlawfully dismissed professor David Miller for anti-Zionist views, saying anti-Zionism is a legally protected belief in the UK. Higher Ed Governance: Cambridge has backtracked on a plan to fully divest from weapons firms, moving instead to a monitoring approach for conventional weapons exposure. School Standards (Scotland): Perth & Kinross schools were praised by inspectors, with multiple primaries rated “Very Good” or “Good” for learning, leadership and wellbeing. SEND Provision (London): Hammersmith & Fulham schools Brackenbury Primary and Wormholt Park Primary are undergoing a 14-week refurbishment to create a Specialist Inclusion Base for SEN teaching spaces. Student Support & Funding (Scotland): Over £500,000 has been awarded for active travel projects across west Scotland, including cycling access initiatives for schools and vulnerable groups. Community & Safety: New images show dozens of caravans on a Birmingham recreation ground near Four Dwellings School in Quinton, with police and the council working to resolve the encampment. Term-time Fines Debate: Comment pieces argue fines for taking children out of school in term time are unfair, claiming little real learning happens in the final weeks.

Energy Injustice: New analysis of the UK’s Family Resources Survey finds fuel arrears hitting single-parent families (14.3%) and disabled households (6.6%) far harder than average, with black households also overrepresented. Accountancy Recognition: Scotland’s top accountancy students have been named winners of the 2026 Charles Scott Prize across Glasgow, Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian and the University of the West of Scotland. Sport & Learning: Lioness Hannah Hampton receives an honorary doctorate in Sports Science from the University of Wolverhampton, celebrating her impact on young athletes. Child Safety Tech: A survivor-backed platform, SAFE, is being promoted as an early-warning system for child abuse risk signals, built from long-term observations. Apprenticeships Push: A training and apprenticeship provider backs plans to value practical skills alongside academia, arguing apprenticeships must be treated as a first-choice route. Student Visa Hardship: A Palestinian teacher says her UK study hopes were crushed after a visa refusal for a master’s place in Ireland. Scotland Results Momentum: Scotland’s exam results are landing with record highs for some pupils, including an Afghan teenager who credits school support for his English progress and passes. Discipline Scrutiny: BBC Panorama’s “Britain’s Strictest Schools” renews pressure on the Athena Learning Trust after reports of harsh discipline and concerns for pupils with SEND. Chevening Opens: Applications for the UK’s Chevening Scholarships open for 2026 study, offering fully funded master’s places and a global leadership network.

University Mergers: Universities of Greenwich and Kent are set to merge into the UK’s first “super-university” under the London and South East University Group (LASE), with both institutions continuing as separate academic divisions. Childcare Support: Isle of Wight County Hall approved DfE grants for wraparound childcare at local schools and providers, aiming to help working parents access care from 8am to 6pm in term time by September 2026. Exam Results (Scotland): North Ayrshire pupils received SQA results for Higher and Advanced Higher, with early analysis pointing to improved pass rates and more awards per pupil. Higher Education & Rights: An Employment Appeals Tribunal upheld that anti-Zionism can be a protected philosophical belief, in a case involving University of Bristol and Professor David Miller. Public Health (Pregnancy): New NHS analysis suggests gestational diabetes rates in England rose from 8% to 12% between 2018 and 2022, with Asian women and deprived areas most at risk. Further Education Estates: Willmott Dixon won a £19.3m first phase contract for Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys Campus transformation into a net zero carbon learning environment. School Safety/Investigation: Hampshire police are assessing historic allegations linked to Treloar’s School in the infected blood scandal, with crime reports taken but no local criminal investigation yet.

School Reform: New “compulsory” rules for all schools from September under Andy Burnham will require spare adrenaline auto-injectors, allergy awareness training for staff, better incident recording, and stronger support policies for pupils with medical conditions. Health Screening: New research says NICE breast cancer referral criteria used by GPs miss up to 95% of women under 50 who will develop the disease within 10 years, prompting calls to review the guidance. Academies & Post-16: Dudley schools are set to become academies from September, including Old Park School (rated outstanding) and Milking Bank Primary. Separately, a secondary school nearly doubled its Year 12 intake after a low Ofsted rating, expanding A-level options and post-16 support. Higher Education & Skills: Kent and Greenwich are merging to form the UK’s first “super-university”, launching in September. Community & Heritage: A historical Surrey cemetery linked to thousands of patients from Epsom’s psychiatric hospitals has been shortlisted for national recognition, with public voting to uncover forgotten stories.

Higher Education Leadership: The University of Kentucky has named four faculty as 2026-27 fellows in the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, highlighting leadership training and cross-institution workshops for emerging academic leaders. Safeguarding in Schools: A religious education teacher in Manchester has been banned after sending a naked torso photo to a former student, with a tribunal finding the messages and image were sexual in nature. Student Support on Results Day: Scotland’s SDS is running a free exam results helpline for students and families, offering guidance on UCAS, Clearing, apprenticeships and staying in education. Exam and Wellbeing Research: A study links earlier social media sign-ups (around age 11-12) with poorer later school performance, raising concerns about distraction during pre-adolescence. Local School Disruption: Fire crews tackled two separate grass-field fires at Hope Street Primary School in Huyton within 24 hours, with the second blaze much larger. Public Policy Debate: Commentary argues Brexit has reshaped citizenship thinking, treating it more like a subscription than a birthright.

MenB Vaccination Push for Uni Starters: NHS England has started a one-off free meningitis B programme for Year 13 pupils and under-25s heading to university or residential further education this autumn, after outbreaks earlier this year killed three teenagers; 89,261 doses were given in the first fortnight and more than 135,000 appointments are booked, with a reminder to book early for the two-dose course. Ofsted Urgent Failings at Birmingham Nursery: Teeny Haven in Birmingham was hit with an “urgent improvement” rating after inspectors found babies left unattended during mealtimes, SEND children lying on the floor alone drinking from bottles, and concerns over staff checks and safeguarding. University Tech Policy Spotlight: Questions are back on smartphones as Prince George is set to start Year 9 at Eton this September; the school requires first-year boarders to surrender phones and provides basic call-and-text devices without internet. Higher Ed Merger Watch: The UK’s first “super-university” is officially launching after the Greenwich–Kent merger completes, with plans to begin in September. Local Education & Community Impact: Somerset’s Roughmoor Lane housing plan (60 homes plus a community hub) has been delayed again after safety concerns about access onto the A371 for schoolchildren. Air Quality Concern Near Major Roads: A Birmingham data probe found several neighbourhoods, including Aston Park and areas near the A38M and M6, exceed stricter World Health Organisation pollution limits by more than three times.

Antisemitism in Schools & Communities: A 102-year-old Jewish WWII veteran, Monty Goldstein, says England “is not the same” after recalling antisemitism in the Mosley era and warning that today’s hate crimes are hitting Jewish people “through no fault of our own.” STEM in Secondary Education: Stonehenge School is one of 15 schools picked for The Learning Partnership’s STEM challenge, using real-world engineering tasks like robotics and drones to build teamwork and problem-solving. School Arts & Fundraising: The Swan School in Oxford raised £1,151 for children’s hospice Helen & Douglas House through a student-led Pride and Prejudice musical. Ofsted Update: Haslingden High School and Sixth Form received praise from Ofsted for its personal development offer and enrichment, including support for pupils with SEND. Ofsted Follow-up: Outwood Academy Redcar was rated after a major inspection, with inspectors saying leaders are “fired up” but curriculum, teaching and leadership still need work. Cost of Living & Education Support: HMRC is sending £541 to some parents linked to the 20-week rule for Child Benefit eligibility where children are in certain education or training. Student Life & Learning Abroad: A Stanway School pupil is set to compete in the Spartan Kids World Championship in China after years of obstacle training. Community & Learning Events: Belfast’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann opens with a “universality” message, with 800,000 expected visitors and hundreds of music events across the week. Safety & Disruption: Drone footage shows a major wildfire at Perry Hall playing fields in Birmingham, with families warned to avoid the area while crews tackle the blaze.

School Place Pressure: Parents in Eyemouth are renewing calls for a new primary school after an 11-year delay, saying the current building has mould, broken toilets and falling ceiling tiles. Local Governance: A petition is growing to reopen a closed access gate at Old Catton Church of England Junior School, with campaigners arguing the “health and safety” closure has made routes more dangerous. School Expansion Funding: Coláiste Feirste in West Belfast has appointed an architect for a £9.5m redevelopment to expand into the former Corpus Christi College site, aiming to support growth in Irish-medium education. Youth Jobs & Education: Derby tops England’s NEET rate for 16- and 17-year-olds at 7.1%, as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham pushes to cut youth unemployment. SEND & Deprivation Context: A Midlands-wide deprivation study flags Birmingham among England’s most deprived areas, underlining pressure on education and services. Climate & Learning Environment: A fire ecologist explains why Scotland’s recent wildfires are different, with hotter, drier spells drying peat and making it easier for fires to spread.

Free school meals change: The Department for Education says free school meals in England will be available to families on Universal Credit from September, removing the £7,400 income cap. Bus travel support: From today, England’s fare-free scheme lets children aged 5–15 travel unlimitedly on participating local buses throughout August, with no registration. Technical education push: Coventry’s NEET figures are highlighted alongside Andy Burnham’s plan to introduce new technical pathways from age 14, combining core subjects with technical education and employer links. SEND school crisis: Lancashire County Council is paying £600,000 a year for 15 pupils to attend Mayfield House School in Chorley after Ofsted concerns about safety and language. Puberty blocker trial: The High Court has cleared the way for King’s College London’s “Pathways” puberty blocker trial to recruit children aged 11–16, despite parent legal action. Local education campaign: North Tyneside’s High Borrans outdoor education centre faces closure, with a new cross-party campaign group formed to fight the decision. Health and learning context: A UK study finds organic free-range eggs may improve welfare but could have a higher climate footprint than caged systems. Community and wellbeing: Qatar Red Crescent and the British Embassy sign an agreement to extend psychosocial support for Palestinian families in Qatar through to Q1 2027.

Special Needs Court Case: Parents are suing Whitefield Special School in north London after BBC-obtained CCTV allegedly shows autistic children being locked in padded “calming rooms”, restrained and left isolated for hours. Careers & Work: Somerset’s Careers Awards 2026 celebrated school and college Careers Leaders, employer engagement and young people’s routes into work. School Safety in Heat: Hot, dry weather is blamed for crop and field fires across Oxfordshire, including a blaze on a school field at Abbey Woods Academy. Community Sports: An Andover dad’s Sporty Bees programme is bringing specialist coaches into after-school clubs across multiple primary schools. Transport Disruption (Wales): Wales & West Utilities plans a £3.3m gas pipe upgrade in Pontypool, with road closures scheduled for school holidays. Local Planning (Cotswolds): Residents in the Cotswolds threaten to quit over plans for nearly 20,000 homes, fearing commuter spillover and strain on services including schools. Policy & Power (UK): Andy Burnham’s “No. 10 North” in Manchester signals a shift toward more regional power, with critics calling it a gimmick.

Charity Commission row: Christian and Protestant charities have written to the Charity Commission after Amnesty International UK (now withdrawn) branded them “anti-rights”, arguing the report wrongly lumped together 117 groups including charities, professional bodies and support organisations. Education data security: The UK Department for Education confirmed a cyber breach affecting 600,000+ records, including headteacher and university staff details, accessed via helpdesk and Turing scheme portals. Devolution and power: Andy Burnham renewed calls to “unbundle” England’s centralised state, with mayors and pan-regional agencies set to drive transport, energy and investment decisions. International education links: PM Modi and UK PM Burnham pledged to maximise the India-UK CETA trade deal and deepen cooperation including education, alongside technology, defence and clean energy. Scotland exams focus: Scotland’s 2026 exam results are due soon, with Qualifications Scotland set to publish grades and spark intense debate over what the system means for students. Student life and wellbeing: A Coventry primary school won national recognition for embedding kindness through ambassadors, anti-loneliness projects and community links.