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Education News

• Learning another language appears to slow brain ageing, scientists say July 6, 2026
  Study finds those who speak two languages have brains that appear around six years younger than those who speak oneLearning another language could slow ageing in the brain by up to 13 years, according to research.People who speak more than one language seem to have younger brains and the more languages you speak and the […]
  Anna Bawden Health and social affairs correspondent
• Pioneer of ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism now says phrase unhelpful July 5, 2026
  Exclusive: Prof Simon Baron-Cohen says his language was misunderstood and it is a myth that autistic people lack empathyThe scientist who pioneered the “extreme male brain” theory of autism has said he regrets characterising the condition in this way because the phrase lends itself to misunderstandings.Prof Simon Baron-Cohen’s theory that autistic people tend strongly towards […]
  Hannah Devlin Science correspondent
• Cutting language courses puts social mobility at risk, say UK experts July 5, 2026
  Exclusive: University moves and falling exam entries fuel concerns about opportunities for working-class pupilsCutting language courses at universities and schools risks undermining social mobility and vocational skills, former education secretaries and experts in the UK have warned.More than 70 languages academics were among 500 staff at the University of Exeter to be told last week […]
  Anna Bawden
• Ofsted drops ‘clumsy’ and ‘offensive’ guidance linking autism and extremism July 5, 2026
  Training document used to teach inspectors updated after campaign by celebrities including Chris PackhamOfsted, the body responsible for safeguarding in education in England, has dropped guidance for inspectors that linked autism and extremism after an outcry from celebrity campaigners.An education minister has disclosed that an updated training document “no longer includes reference to children with […]
  Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor
• Third of disadvantaged white pupils in England leave primary school without being able to read properly July 4, 2026
  Exclusive: Analysis finds lower reading fluency than children from other ethnic backgrounds and richer peersA third of disadvantaged white pupils in England leave their primary school unable to read well enough to access the secondary curriculum, leading to disengagement and school absence, according to new research.The findings were published days after an independent inquiry into […]
  Sally Weale Education correspondent
• Overseas education project for women and girls axed by UK after two years July 4, 2026
  The programme, aimed at keeping 1m girls in school across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, withdrawn after aid cutsA leading higher education programme, aimed at keeping 1 million girls in school across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, has been axed by the British government just two years after it was announced.The scheme, Strengthening […]
  Sarah Johnson
• Brexit rule change means British teens in EU face soaring student fees for UK degrees July 4, 2026
  ‘Home fee’ qualification ends in 2028, leaving those hoping to study in UK not now eligible for British loansBritish teenagers living in the EU could be priced out of UK universities in two years’ time as a Brexit rule change means they face the double whammy of paying costlier international fees, while losing access to […]
  Sandra Haurant
• The Guardian view on universities: public confidence in degrees is wavering – ministers should shore it up | Editorial June 28, 2026
  Unfair changes to student loans and concerns about job prospects must be weighed against the life-changing potential of educationIs going to university financially worthwhile? New research on graduate incomes is unlikely to help the beleaguered sector’s reputation. Even though most benefit from an earnings premium, worth around £100,000 on average over a lifetime (after tax […]
  Editorial