The best way to broaden access at grammar schools is to build more of them

Artificial restrictions have created huge competitive pressure on places, but lowering standards is not the answer.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of home-educated pupils

This is a welcome trend. School standards have improved. But parents are to be commended for taking charge, when let down by “the system”.

John Bald: The effective teaching of multiplication tables is long overdue

Does the National Education Union want teenagers to count on their fingers? That’s the consequence if one severs mathematics education from its base in arithmetic.

Nick Gibb: Our reforms to primary education are beginning to work. Here’s the evidence.

England achieved its highest ever score in reading in 2016, moving from joint 10th to joint 8th in the PIRLS rankings.

Robert Halfon: Why are white working class boys underachieving in our schools?

Rather than obsess about lack of aspiration, it is the lack of social capital that we should be focusing on.

John Bald: School inspection is not a “little extra”

There is no evidence of funding cuts reducing school standards. But Ofsted does need enough staff to thoroughly assess the performance of classroom teachers.

Howard Flight: The best part of a week on, we can see that last week’s Budget was a popular one

The Chancellor has been fortunate that the public finances have improved substantially at a particularly convenient time.

Iain Mansfield: We must recapture the commanding heights of society from the Left

It has secured an overwhelming dominance. Until or unless this changes, the Right may win elections – but to limited effect.

“Under this Conservative Government austerity is coming to an end – but discipline will remain.” – Hammond’s Budget speech, full text

“Now we have reached a defining moment on this, long, hard journey. Opening a new chapter in our country’s economic history.”

John Bald: Special Needs pupils are being let down by the system

When support is provided, the quality is often so poor that the pupil would be better off without it. Often the work is done for the pupil, preventing learning from taking place.

Yesterday’s results show that free schools are working. Now Conservatives must back them fully once again.

I was glad to see the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary doing so recently – particularly now that Rayner is clear she will scrap the programme.

Ronel Lehmann: Gainful employment should be the ultimate measure of university success

Great effort goes to attract the best school-leavers. If only the same energy went into ensuring that their graduate alumni are actually prepared for the world of work.

James Croft: It’s time to invest in the education of high-performing children – and those who have the potential to join them

We recommend the endowment of a independent research outfit similar to that what works to find how to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children.

Sponsored Post: Kevin Courtney: Ministers should accept the independent pay review body to increase teachers pay

Teacher supply is in crisis. Recruitment targets are not being met – in some key subjects they are being woefully missed.

Nick Hargrave: Rapturously received – and strategically flawed. How May’s first Tory conference speeches have come back to haunt her.

She unwittingly legitimised unrealistic Brexit expectations and Corbyn’s economic argument.