Covering everything from early years to further education and beyond, UK education journalists have a broad-ranging but essential role in keeping us informed about the latest developments in the sector. Whether it’s policy changes, emerging edtech, or compelling human interest pieces, the education beat is one of the most exciting and diverse areas of the media.
Here are 10 of the top education journalists any savvy PR should follow on Twitter to keep up to date with this fast-moving sector.
Sian Griffiths (Education and Families Editor at The Sunday Times)
Having written about education since the 1980s, Sian is an expert at finding the most compelling education stories around – whether it’s bringing ageism in teaching to light or reporting on changes within education policy. She also regularly appears on Times Radio to discuss the most pressing education stories, and works on the Sunday Times Good Schools and University guides.
Follow Sian @SianGriffiths6
Sally Weale (Education Correspondent at The Guardian)
Sally covers all education-related news at The Guardian, from nurseries through to universities. This includes coverage of the social issues affecting the education sector (such as student poverty), as well as policy issues, such as think tank recommendations and school funding. Sally works alongside Richard Adams, Education Editor, to provide excellent education coverage for The Guardian.
Follow Sally @sweale
Louisa Clarence-Smith (Education Editor at The Telegraph)
Louisa joined The Telegraph as Education Editor in June, having been Chief Business Correspondent at The Times previously. Since then, she’s been covering some of the sector’s most important stories, like the link between GCSE attainment and educational inequalities established before children start primary school. With a background in business reporting, Louisa brings a critical eye to her education reporting and analysis.
Follow Louisa @LouisaClarence
Nicola Woolcock (Education Editor at The Times)
Nicola has provided education coverage for The Times for more than a decade, cementing her status as a leading voice in education journalism. In that time, she’s broken countless stories and shared insightful investigations into the sector’s most challenging issues including social mobility, the North/South divide, student mental health, and staffing troubles. Together with Sian Griffiths, Nicola makes The Times one of the most dependable and exciting homes for education news.
Follow Nicola @nicolawoolcock
Matilda Martin (Reporter at tes)
Matilda (and the whole team at tes) write daily schools-related news stories and feature pieces, along with helpful analysis on the most prominent developments in the education sector. Matilda regularly secures exclusives on the issues affecting teachers and students. Sign up to the tes daily news briefing for everything you need to know about education delivered straight to your inbox.
Follow Matilda @matilda__martin
Anna Davis (Education Editor at The Evening Standard)
As Education Editor, Anna heads up The Evening Standard’s education coverage. She writes about stories affecting schools and students primarily in London, but often covers national education news, too. Anna approaches education with a broad scope, tackling everything from childcare accessibility to university research projects.
Follow Anna @_AnnaDavis
Hazel Shearing (Education Correspondent at the BBC)
Hazel covers everything from breaking news stories to longer human interest features. Recent highlights from her portfolio include interviews with the ‘Class of Covid’, in which she unpacked the impact of the pandemic on the traditional university experience; and an informative analysis of this year’s GCSE results. Hazel’s reporting appeals to a wide audience, from students looking to make informed decisions about their next steps, to parents wanting to know more about the cost of university.
Follow Hazel @hazelshearing
Abbie Wightwick (Education Editor at WalesOnline)
Unsurprisingly, Abbie’s focus is on the education system in Wales and the experience of Welsh students, parents and teachers. She has recently provided stellar coverage around the new curriculum in Wales and its reception. Abbie’s articles often appear across Reach’s titles, including The Mirror. Her Twitter is the perfect place to stay up to date with education developments outside of the English school system.
Follow Abbie @AbbieWightwick
John Dickens (Editor at Schools Week)
John heads up Schools Week – a publication dedicated to diving deep into education policy and bringing lesser-known education issues to national attention. John and his team provide informative coverage, as well as opinion pieces from some of the sector’s most important voices. As an award-winning investigative journalist, John’s knack for uncovering stories makes for dependable, insightful reading.
Follow John @JohndickensSW
Andrew Jack (Global Education Editor at the Financial Times)
As Global Education Editor, Andrew has an international outlook to his reporting. Covering everything from teacher shortages across Europe to methods of improving the quality of education in low and middle income countries, Andrew’s holistic approach to education makes for informative reading. And, as editor of FT Health, his education coverage is also interspersed with complementary stories on topics like wellbeing. Andrew is also editorial lead for the free FT schools programme.
Follow Andrew @AJack
Other education journalists you should follow:
This list would be incomplete without mentioning Maya Oppenheim, Women’s Correspondent at The Independent. Her excellent reporting on the issues of today affecting women, which are often inextricably linked to education, means she regularly covers everything from gender disparities on GCSE results day to the childcare crisis. Follow Maya @MayaOppenheim.
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To follow all of the education journalists mentioned in this article (and a few bonus additions!) check out our List on Twitter.
Is there a journalist you think we should have included in this list? Tweet us to let us know @CrestComms.
By Kate George, Account Executive at Crest