The King’s School in Grantham named top East Midlands state secondary school in The Sunday Times guide as Bourne and Spalding make top 10
County schools have been named among the best in the East Midlands in an annual high-profile national report. The 33rd edition of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide was published today (Friday) ranking the UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools based on A-level and GCSE results from this summer. The King’s School, Grantham, topped two lists of East Midlands secondary schoolsThe King’s School, in Grantham, was named as the top state secondary school in the East Midlands for the third time in the last four years, and 110th best in the country. King’s was also named the State Secondary School of the Year in the East Midlands for Academic Excellence 2026 for the second year running. There was further recognition for Oundle as the town’s Prince William School made the top 10 comprehensive secondary schools in the East Midlands, in eighth place.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 19:17 UTC
UK to transfer $10.7M in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
The United Kingdom plans to transfer around the equivalent of $10.7 million of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, the London-based The Times reports, citing sources. These assets were blocked by London following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The dispatch says government ministers have agreed that Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, poses a “direct and active threat to UK citizens and their security,” creating a legal pathway for the transfer of the frozen funds to Ukraine. Earlier, UWC Executive Committee member Zenon Kowal explained that Belgium is not categorically opposed to using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine but insists on robust legal guarantees. Most of the frozen Russian assets are in Belgium where Euroclear, the world’s largest securities clearing settlements systems, is based.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 18:00 UTC
Harry Judd: We must tackle loneliness crisis across generations
“There is a huge crisis at the moment, particularly among young men,” Judd said. “I think that there’s a parallel there with elderly people who have lost their place in society,” Judd observed. Inspired by these calls, Harry and Emma promised to start facetiming regularly again. However Harry also sees how technology can sometimes be a “barrier” to the real world connection needed to combat isolation among young people. The Times and Sunday Times will be hosting a Christmas Appeal phone-in on Thursday, December 11.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 15:40 UTC
UK announces plan to unlock billions in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine — Novaya Gazeta Europe
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper arrives at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, 3 December 2025. Photo: EPA / Olivier HosletThe UK government has said it is prepared to transfer £8 billion (€9.2 billion) worth of Russian assets that were frozen in the country in 2022 to Ukraine, The Times reported on Friday. The UK is also attempting to broker a deal with the EU and other Ukrainian allies including Canada, which would see them transfer a total of up to €115 billion to Kyiv. The EU, meanwhile, is hoping to agree on a “reparations loan” for Ukraine, which would see the loan to Kyiv of frozen Russian assets, most of which are currently held in the Belgian securities depository Euroclear, The Times continued. While sources told the Financial Times that the European Central Bank had refused to insure the “reparations loan”, the European Commission is considering using EU emergency powers to confiscate the assets and overcome the Belgian veto, The Times added.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 15:36 UTC
UK house price growth stalls in November over budget build-up
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Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 15:22 UTC
World Cup 2026 group draw — as it happened
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Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 15:02 UTC
Some Colorado public lands bills are gaining traction in Congress, but progress is slow
Colorado lawmakers are pushing a slew of public lands bills in Congress, some of which have stalled for years. Colorado lawmakers are spearheading several public lands bills this year, many of which have been introduced in Congress in previous years but have so far failed to pass. A Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee held a long-awaited hearing on Dec. 2 on more than two dozen public lands bills . The effort, which ultimately failed, vaulted the issue of public lands into the spotlight. The bill’s support has been mainly along party lines, and Colorado House Republicans have opposed the legislation in the past.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 14:11 UTC
The best state and grammar schools in the UK 2026
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Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 13:59 UTC
Windermere School among best in Sunday Times rankings
The Sunday Times’ Parent Power Guide 2026 has revealed UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools. Windermere School has been ranked seventh in a list of the top secondary independent schools in the Northwest. Climbing (Image: Windermere School)Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: "The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future. Windermere School, the only Lake District school featured in the North West rankings, has been recognised for its academic performance and educational environment. The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 was published online today and will appear in a 28-page print supplement on Sunday, December 7.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 13:06 UTC
BBC unveils first look at The Handmaid's Tale and Doctor Who stars in much-anticipated Gareth Southgate drama
First-look images have been unveiled for the upcoming BBC drama Dear England, which is set to star Joseph Fiennes and Jodie Whittaker. Jodie Whittaker as Pippa in Dear England. BBC/Left BankMeanwhile, Sam Spruell (The Gold, Fargo) plays fictional coach Mike Webster, and John Hodgkinson (Small Axe, Life After Life) reprises his stage role as former FA chairman Greg Clarke. Will Antenbring as Harry Kane in Dear England. AdCheck out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 12:45 UTC
Somerset schools in top 10 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide
The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 has been released, confirming which are the UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools. Readers can view the following in the guide: Top primary schools in the Southwest, the top secondary independent schools in the Southwest, the top comprehensive secondary schools in the Southwest, and the Top state secondary schools in the Southwest. Somerset schools in top 10 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide:The following awards are judged on year-on-year performance as well as editorial discretion, according to the Sunday Times. The Parent Power league table is based on exam results as outlined in the methodology. Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 11:20 UTC
Tactics Exposed: How Arteta’s ‘spacehopper’ move baffled Brentford as Arsenal moved five clear at top of Premier League
SPACEHOPPER SWITCHCONSIDERING Odegaard and Zubimendi haven’t played together so much given the injuries, their telepathy and understanding in midfield was really impressive. While he’s running, he’s point and clapping and keeping them all on the press. As he vacates that space, Odegaard hops straight into it. Then for the second goal, he’s dropped into the centre-circle. But as we saw with the Merino goal, White gives Madueke the ball and then makes a looping run around the back.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 10:57 UTC
Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
One of Britain's most distinguished scientists, Prof Sir Paul Nurse, says the government is "shooting itself in the foot" with its visa system for science researchers. Sir Paul told BBC News that high visa fees are deterring early-career researchers, who are instead being welcomed by the UK's economic rivals. Supporters of the current system say higher visa costs help to fund the NHS and reflect wider public concerns about immigration. "Having expensive visa costs is shooting yourself in the foot. It absolutely doesn't help in attracting these sorts of people," Sir Paul said.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 10:41 UTC
Rachel Reeves hasn’t learnt from her mistakes — it will cost us growth
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Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 10:34 UTC
Nonsuch High School for Girls and South Farnham School recognised
Leaders at two Surrey schools named as among the best in the region say they are "delighted" at the "great" recognition. Nonsuch High School for Girls is named state secondary school of the year in the South East and South Farnham School is the highly-commended primary school of the year for 2026 in a Sunday Times list. Head teacher at Nonsuch, Alexis Williamson, said it had "created a real buzz around school". William Wallace, acting head teacher of South Farnham, said it was "beyond words" to be recognised.
Source:The Times
December 05, 2025 10:25 UTC