Eleanor Harding

It follows a number of scandals in which private equity firms running children's homes were charging high fees to the taxpayer while providing sub-standard care.

The Girls' Schools Association (GSA) said it was a 'backwards step' for 'equality' because female-only education improves pupils' life chances and 'breaks glass ceilings'.

The Left-wing National Education Union (NEU) is pushing for an overhaul of Tory education policies to enhance 'student and staff wellbeing'.

The event descended into chaos with audience members shouting, booing and swearing while one speaker stormed out and another was asked to leave.

Teaching leaders blame the huge rise on the pandemic, arguing that lockdowns undermined the principle of compulsory school attendance.

Parents who carried on working from home after the pandemic are letting their children shirk school to be with them, Ofsted has warned.

By MARY O'CONNOR and ELEANOR HARDING Published: | Updated: The Oxford Union has a reputation as one of the world's most prestigious debating societies and is a bastion of free speech.

A survey of almost 8,000 staff found 14 per cent had been subjected to such accusations.

One in seven secondary school teachers have faced an allegation from a pupil or parent in the past year.

George Green's School (GGS), a secondary in East London , wants pupils as young as 11 to go without food for more than seven hours this Friday.