Education
UK school lockdown drill video is from 2017, not 2025
The video is being shared with the implication it shows recent footage, but the clip is more than seven years old. Read
Fact checks
Education
We fact check and explain issues about schools, teacher shortages, childcare, universities, and qualifications.
Politics
Will boosting free school meals lift 100,000 children out of poverty?
The government has announced what it’s called an “unprecedented” expansion of free school meals provision, which it says will lift 100,000 children across England “completely out of poverty”.Since 2018 only … Read
Analysis
Education
From Covid claims to cocaine stats: why misleading numbers matter
On National Numeracy Day, we highlight some of the ways poor numeracy helps misinformation spread. Read
Comment
No, it’s not now compulsory for all schoolchildren to learn about Islam as a ‘main study’
A claim which has been shared widely on social media is not correct. Read
Fact checks
Teaching on conspiracy theories should start in primary schools
Early intervention is crucial to breaking a cycle where one in four UK adults struggle to distinguish between true and false information. Read
Comment
Ofsted board chair is not head of the ‘UK education system’ as posts claim
Viral social media posts misrepresent the roles of Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and the interim chair of Ofsted’s board, Sir Hamid Patel. Read
Fact checks
Education
How many schools ban mobile phones?
The data we have suggests most schools in England don’t allow pupils to use their phones—although the types of ban vary, and there is evidence that they are often not being followed. Read
Analysis
Education
Chair of Ofsted board has no control over setting national curriculum
Misleading claims that the new interim chair of Ofsted’s board, Sir Hamid Patel, will be able to change what pupils learn in schools, have been shared online. Read
Fact checks
Viral post with false claims about Muslims in UK circulates again
These posts have been circulating since at least 2017, but contain claims that are either unevidenced or false. Read
Fact checks
Business rates relief rules for private schools haven’t changed yet
The government intends to remove charitable business rates relief for English private schools from April. Read
Fact checks
