Education news, articles and events of the week: archive
20 June
Teacher retention and recruitment
Petition seeks abolition of General Teaching Council for Scotland
The petition – published on the Scottish Parliament website – is calling for the GTCS to be replaced by a government agency.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/petition-seeks-abolition-general-teaching-council-scotland
Teacher quality warning over DfEDepartment for Education - a ministerial department responsible for children’s services and education in England recruitment boost plea
Letter seen by Schools Week shows DfE top boss asked teacher trainers to consider more offers, but providers have their concerns.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teacher-quality-warning-over-dfe-recruitment-boost-plea/
Climate change
Pupils in England face lost learning from flooding and extreme heat, study finds
School leaders call for action on adaptation measures as DfE research warns of potential impact of climate crisis.
Inclusion
Urgently set out plans to avoid SEND deficits ‘cliff-edge’, MPs tell DfE
Public Accounts Committee wants to see DfE plans, warning that the ‘lack of action’ suggests government is ‘comfortable with the current state of affairs’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/urgently-set-out-plans-to-avoid-send-deficits-cliff-edge-mps-tell-dfe/
The schools bill must do more to support displaced children
Labour’s bill promises to deliver needed change for children not in school, but without amendments one vulnerable group could be left out.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-schools-bill-must-do-more-to-support-displaced-children/
Phillipson does not rule out restricting EHCPs to special schools
Education ministers questioned on SEND reforms, teacher recruitment and screen time in schools today.
Equalities
White guilt drives schools’ diversityThe recognition of individual differences in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical ability, religious beliefs and other differences push, Birbalsingh says
‘Britain’s strictest headteacher’ says children are given no sense of our history and should be learning algebra not looking at each other’s differences.
I was trapped in an abusive relationship at 16, now I’m demanding schools protect teenagers better
Faustine Petron’s Make It Mandatory campaign has received support from MPs and charities and garnered over 100,000 signatures.
Disadvantage
Investigate ‘shocking’ special school free meal take-up, DfE told
Study finds a quarter of eligible pupils in special schools are not taking up free school meals.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/investigate-shocking-special-school-free-meal-take-up-dfe-told/
Curriculum & qualifications
Hayward criticises failure to reform ‘unjust’ exam system
‘A fear that change might make things worse’ is holding the Scottish system back, warns the author of Scotland’s review of assessment and qualifications.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/louise-hayward-says-scotland-exam-system-must-change
Entries for GCSE statistics almost double in 4 years
The 96 per cent increase in take-up since 2021 – the largest for any GCSE or A-level subject – has been welcomed amid fears of a growing maths attainment gap.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/gcse-statistics-exam-entries-almost-double
Exam boards consider ‘action’ over social media predictions
A quarter of teachers say they have heard of pupils buying so-called ‘predicted’ papers.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/exam-boards-consider-action-over-social-media-predictions/
Tech
Primary school pupils using screens for tests is ‘normalising’ use, Tories claim
The shadow education secretary says children as young as four are using screens as she said Bridget Phillipson is ‘ignoring’ evidence about damage.
AI should be the making of coursework – not its breaking
The argument that AI spells the end of coursework is short-sighted and ignores opportunities to improve processes and enrich provision.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ai-should-be-the-making-of-coursework-not-its-breaking/
Behaviour
Nearly 1 in 5 teachers say students use cannabis at school
Students’ use of drugs and alcohol is contributing to violent and disruptive behaviour in schools, teaching union warns.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/teachers-warn-of-students-using-cannabis-in-school
Recording of racist incidents ‘essential’, Scottish schools told
Important new government guidance for schools on tackling racism https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/new-guidance-on-tackling-racism-in-schools-scotland
Funding
Government ends school decarbonisation grants scheme
No more grants for schools to lower energy bills by replacing inefficient heating and going greener
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-ends-school-decarbonisation-grants-scheme/
Over half of English councils face insolvency under £5bn deficit, MPs warn
Public accounts committee calls on government to urgently address deficit on high needs spending hitting at end of financial year.
250 more schools to be rebuilt after funding extension
School and college maintenance funding will reach £2.9 billion by 2034-35, the government says today in its new infrastructure strategy.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/250-more-schools-be-rebuilt-after-DfE-funding-extension
__________
13 June
Tech
AI skills drive in schools to ‘put power in hands of next generation’ – Starmer
Some one million students will be given access to AI learning resources as part of the Government’s ‘TechFirst’ scheme, Number 10 said.
UK government looking at social media ‘app caps’ for children, minister suggests
Peter Kyle, understood to be considering two-hour curfews, says he wants to foster healthy relationships with tech.
Teachers can use AI to save time on marking, new guidance says
Teachers in England can use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up marking and write letters home to parents, new government guidance says.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kvyj7dkp0o
One million students to receive AI training in new skills drive
It comes after government data showed that by 2035 AI will play a part in the roles and responsibilities of around 10 million workers.
Schools wanted to become edtech ‘testbeds’
Pilot to build ‘evidence base’ on impact of workload-cutting tech.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-wanted-to-become-edtech-testbeds/
AI guidance for schools: 9 key findings for leaders
Government toolkits say schools can use AI to write letters to parents, give pupil feedback and come up with lessons.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/school-ai-toolkits-9-things-leaders-need-to-know/
AI can ‘level up’ opportunities for dyslexic children, says UK tech secretary
Peter Kyle, who is dyslexic and uses AI in his work, says government should look at how it ‘can transform education’.
AI plans will allow teachers to spend more time with pupils and less on marking
Educators could be given more time to work directly with pupils if artificial intelligence tools are used effectively, Government guidance suggests.
Funding
School funding to rise by around 1% per pupil each year
£4.7bn cash increase will result in average real-terms per-pupil funding growth of 0.9 per cent per year.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/school-funding-to-rise-by-around-1-per-pupil-each-year/
Spending Review 2025: what it means for schools
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set out government spending plans up to 2029. Here’s what you need to know.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/spending-review-2025-what-it-means-schools
Securing more money for schools is only the start of what we need to do to fix the education system
The chancellor’s spending review focus on investment in schools gives Britain’s children the chance of the best possible start in life, writes Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
£760m SEND reforms cash to come from schools budget rise
Funding expert warns schools ‘next few years are going to feel very tight’ as leaders say settlement ‘well short of what’s needed’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/760m-send-reforms-cash-to-come-from-schools-budget-rise/
Teacher retention and recruitment
Tackling ethnic disparities could help 6,500 new teachers target
The NFER has suggested that discrimination may be a factor behind the ‘significant ethnic disparities’ in initial teacher trainingAbbreviated to ITT, the period of academic study and time in school leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) rejection rates.
‘Acute teacher shortages’ in rural areas and key subjects
In Scotland, new data shows hundreds of teaching posts being advertised ‘over and over again’ – prompting calls for probationers to be offered three-year contracts.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/teacher-shortages-rural-areas-key-subjects
‘I couldn’t imagine not teaching full-time – until I had my baby’
“I really loved my job, and I loved working full-time. I couldn’t have seen that changing before I had a family.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgd3039zrro
Government seeks to exempt CEOs from new support staff pay rules
Consultation launched on the definition of support staff ahead of launch of new pay body.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-seeks-to-exempt-ceos-from-new-support-staff-pay-rules/
Inclusion
‘An accident waiting to happen’: Schools forced to provide medical care for vulnerable pupils
Situation so bad one trust may be forced to take legal action against its local health board.
Record 1 in 5 pupils in England getting special education needs support
Nearly one in five pupils in England are receiving support for special educational needs (SEN) in the classroom, according to government statistics.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23mdz2728zo
Disadvantage
The FSM and pupil premiumAdditional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities funding row explained
A DfE announcement on extending free school meals has sparked a political war of words. Tes digs into the numbers behind the conflict.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/fsm-and-pupil-premium-funding-row-explained
Government should auto-enrol eligible pupils for free school meals – think tank
Free school meal registration practices vary across local authorities and schools in England, EPI report finds.
OfstedThe Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills – a non-ministerial department responsible for inspecting and regulating services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills flags safety concerns at country’s first secure school
Inspectors find increase in youngsters making weapons out of ‘everyday items’ after doors were damaged amid building issue.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-flags-safety-concerns-at-countrys-first-secure-school/ ‘Shut up’ complaining about poverty, social mobility chair tells heads
Alun Francis also fears Ofsted’s focus on inclusionAn approach where a school aims to ensure that all children are educated together, with support for those who require it to access the full curriculum and contribute to and participate in all aspects of school life will lead to schools having to ‘bend over backwards to accommodate everybody’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/shut-up-complaining-about-poverty-social-mobility-chair-tells-heads/
People
Local governance is key to community cohesion
It’s volunteers’ week, and governors are key community champions in times of frayed relationships.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/better-governance-is-key-to-community-cohesion
Ofsted
Ofsted criticised over training manual linking autistic children to extremism
National Autistic Society says guidance risks stigmatising traits amid concern over number of autistic children referred to Prevent.
Ofsted delay: Sir Martyn’s and Bridget Phillipson’s letters
Read the full exchange between Ofsted and the DfE discussing the “regrettable” and “disappointing” delay to the inspection reform consultation.
Christine Gilbert set to be appointed Ofsted Chair
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says Gilbert will bring ‘strong challenge’ to Ofsted
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/christine-gilbert-set-to-be-appointed-ofsted-chair/
Curriculum & qualifications
Children’s reading enjoyment falls to lowest recorded level in UK
Annual survey of young people’s reading habits which began two decades ago shows its lowest-ever result, most pronounced among boys aged 11 to 16.
‘They are making young people ill’: is it time to scrap GCSEs?
They have shaped the fortunes of young people in the UK for four decades. But now even the former education secretary who introduced these exams wants to see them abolished …
Revealed: Exam boards’ inflation-busting fee increases
Price rises for GCSE and A-level exam entries have been branded ‘completely unacceptable’ by sector leaders.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/exam-boards-gcse-and-a-level-entry-fee-increases
The foreign language that is now the most popular among GCSE students
The overall number of entries for this summer’s exams for both GCSEs and A-levels has decreased.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gcse-spanish-french-german-changes-b2769011.html
Play
Government told to ditch ‘NO BALL GAMES’ signs and ban phones in schools after screens blamed for 50pc decline in time playing outside
‘No Ball Games’ signs should be banned to encourage children to stop ‘doomscrolling’ on mobile phones as outdoor play has halved in a generation, the Government has been urged.
‘The impact has been profound’: the headteacher bringing play back to the classroom
Tina Farr has put play-based learning at the heart of lessons at her Oxford primary – with ‘phenomenal’ results.
Calls for schools to ditch formal uniforms
Children’s organisations are calling for schools to switch formal uniforms in favour of clothing more suitable for play and physical activity to help children become more active.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79eg0w59y8o
‘A-posh-trophe’ joke wins London school pupils a posh trophy
Year 5 children’s punctuation pun scoops top prize in the Beano’s Britain’s Funniest Class competition.
__________
6 June
Teacher retention and recruitment
Striking teachers tell trust to extend lunch break instead of lessons
Teachers across 14 Outwood Grange trust schools to strike this week over plans to extend day past 2.30pm. An interesting first collaboration between NASUWT and NEU under the former’s new acting General Secretary
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/striking-teachers-tell-trust-to-extend-lunch-break-instead-of-lessons/
Nearly half of heads expect to cut teachers next year, union finds
There are ‘no palatable moves left to make’ for schools to find the money they need next year, the NAHT has warned ahead of the Spending Review.
National Institute of Teaching gains degree-awarding powers
Move means government’s flagship teacher training provider will award its own PGCE to trainees.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/national-institute-of-teaching-gains-degree-awarding-powers/
Mums who return to teaching part-time more likely to stay
New study reveals how the first 12 months back are crucial for retaining new mums.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/mums-who-return-to-teaching-part-time-more-likely-to-stay/
Teacher supply: why 5 subjects face gloomier forecasts
Why are drama, history, RE, PE and Classics having trainee recruitment targets hiked up when overall teacher supply is improving? Tes speaks to experts to find out.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/teacher-supply-subjects-face-gloomier-forecasts
Teacher workload ‘unfair and unhealthy’, union says
Will EIS, Scotland’s largest teachers’ union ballot for strike action over teacher workload?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd90g3dwvgvo
The subjects being squeezed out by teacher shortages in Scotland
More than a third of surveyed secondaries have had to amend their curriculum because of staff shortages, finds School Leaders Scotland.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/school-subjects-squeezed-out-teacher-shortages-scotland
Should teachers and students work from home once a week?
One day a week of working and studying from home for secondary teachers and senior students could save thousands and be good for wellbeing, it will be argued at the EIS AGM this week. But could it work?
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/should-secondary-teachers-and-students-work-from-home
Inclusion
Pay special school staff as ‘consultants’ for mainstream, MPs told
Catholic Education Service tells SEND inquiry that special schools should be recognised as centres of excellence, with ‘consultant’ staff given extra pay, like in medicine.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/pay-special-school-staff-consultants-mainstream
Pupil attendance
Phillipson: Leaders have ‘responsibility’ to boost attendance
Education secretary tells school leaders in Birmingham she wants more progress on pupil absence.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/phillipson-leaders-have-responsibility-boost-attendance
Equalities
White working-class pupils behind in all but 21 of UK’s 3,400 secondary schools, shocking figures reveal
Tory education spokesperson says the Schools Bill is smashing up 30 years of reforms that have raised standards in England. And yet, ‘shocking figures’ seem to suggest they haven’t worked for all…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14768293/White-working-class-pupils-secondary-schools.html
Co-chairs revealed for white working-class kids inquiry
Ex-education secretary Estelle Morris joins academy boss Sir Hamid Patel in heading inquiry run by Public First (but government didn’t commission it).
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/co-chairs-revealed-for-white-working-class-kids-inquiry/
The Gen Z gender pay gap has reversed with young women earning more than young men – so what’s up with boys?
For the first time in history, many young women are out-earning their male peers. Actually, this article says pay isn’t the issue, though I wonder if this also signals women having babies later or not at all. Is there a crisis in masculinity?
Parents fury as school bans skirts in move to be ‘more inclusive’ as it pushes for ‘gender neutral options for all students’
A school is set to ban pupils from wearing skirts in its drive to be ‘more inclusive’ and offer ‘gender neutral options’.
Disadvantage
Free school meals extended to all from universal credit households
But schools won’t get more pupil premium funding, and some children to lose eligibility as transitional protections end.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/free-school-meals-extended-to-all-on-universal-credit/
DfE reviews pupil premium amid free meals extension concerns
But the education secretary rejects ‘barefaced lie’ as Tories claim schools could lose £1.5bn.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-reviews-pupil-premium-amid-free-meals-extension-concerns/
Starmer doesn’t rule out scrapping two-child benefit cap after free school meals expansion
Free school meal expansion in England will benefit fewer than claimed, IFS says
With data showing one in four pupils already get free lunches, institute says short-term benefits overestimated.
Popular schools should prioritise places for poorer pupils, says charity
Teach First calls for pilot that boosts pupil premium funding to motivate schools to be more inclusive.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/popular-schools-should-prioritise-places-for-poorer-pupils-says-charity/
Curriculum & qualifications
Maths standards in Wales too low, watchdog says
Maths standards in Wales are too low with wide variations in the quality of teaching, according to the schools watchdog.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lne3318jpo
Call for transparency over AI role in curriculum review
The DfE won’t confirm whether AI is being used to analyse 7,000 submissions to the curriculum and assessment review. Would AI miss the nuances?
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/call-transparency-over-ai-role-curriculum-review
Tech
Ban smartphones in schools, Starmer told – by the country that’s done it
Keir Starmer has resisted a national ban on mobile phones in schools, but the education minister in New Zealand who introduced the measure in her country has told The Independent that it is already proving successful.
School places
Ministers mull putting health services in spare primary classrooms
Education secretary says government is exploring how to use the school estate for ‘wider family services’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/minisers-mull-putting-health-services-in-spare-primary-classrooms/
Policy-making
Headteacher appointed as new DfE ‘school leader adviser’
Maintained school headteacher Andrew O’Neill to deliver ‘frontline expertise directly into the heart of policy-making’, government says.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/headteacher-appointed-as-new-dfe-school-leader-adviser/
__________
30 May
Teacher retention and recruitment
Seven findings from DfE’s third FE workforce data release
Figures from over 1,300 colleges and providers were collected in 2023-24.
https://feweek.co.uk/seven-findings-from-dfes-third-fe-workforce-data-release/
Scotland – Gilruth announces review of Teacher Induction Scheme
Education secretary’s announcement comes as MSPs call for action to address teacher supply – with primary teachers unable to find steady work and secondaries at ‘crisis point’ over staff shortages.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/gilruth-announces-review-teacher-induction-scheme
EIS: Scottish teacher pay offer must be above inflation
Biggest teachers’ union urges the Scottish government and councils to put a ‘fair and acceptable’ offer on the table.
Leadership
Ethical dilemmas: should teachers’ children get priority for places?
The latest instalment in our ethical leadership series explores what happened when staff at a popular secondary school requested an admissions policy change to give preference to their offspring.
Inclusion
DfE extends neurodiversity support scheme, but with less funding
Programme that trains teachers to better identify needs extended into 2025-26 with £9.5m.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-extends-neurodiversity-support-scheme-but-with-less-funding/
DfE pledges £3.4m to continue speech and language intervention
Funding for Early Language Support for Every Child has been extended as part of government work testing SEND reforms.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-extends-speech-and-language-intervention
Children with special educational needs at risk of losing school support
Thousands of pupils could be forced out of mainstream education if the government scraps education, health and care plans (EHCPs), campaigners say.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/schools-special-needs-send-ehcp-b2757225.html
Equalities
Are schools pushing views about race on their pupils?
Our new research shows some students’ free speech is being limited – but not in the ways some commentators say. Here’s how reform can help.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/are-schools-pushing-views-about-race-on-their-pupils/
Sexual violence a ‘national emergency’ in UK schools amid rise of AI deepfake porn, expert warns
Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, cited AI-deepfakes as the next issue schools across the nation will have to tackle.
Disadvantage
Starmer says government ‘will look at’ scrapping two-child benefits limit
Ministers have recently softened their stance on the cap after steadfastly saying it would remain.
Child poverty: Schools ‘have no time’ to wait for strategy
Unions urge government not to ‘kick the can down the road’ amid reports of delays to flagship Labour strategy.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/child-poverty-schools-have-no-time-to-wait-for-strategy/
Students miss school because they can’t afford transport and meals
One in six secondary students has missed school at least once because they did not have something they needed, polling shows.
Curriculum & qualifications
Neil Mercer: ‘Oracy is still not properly understood’
The Cambridge academic talks about the ‘conspiracy theory’ of why, despite all the evidence, oracy is yet to be introduced into the curriculum, and whether the Labour government will make the change.
Tech
Estonia eschews phone bans in schools and takes leap into AI
Country at top of education charts aims to equip students and teachers with ‘world-class artificial intelligence skills’.
Early years
Concerns some Welsh-language nurseries could close
There are concerns that some Welsh-language nurseries could face closure if more demands in the childcare sector fall on the shoulders of fewer volunteers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgn4npz0lro
Funding
Education cuts would risk school budgets, warns IFS
Analysis ‘will make harrowing reading for school and college leaders already faced with intense pressures on their budgets’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-cuts-would-risk-school-budgets-warns-ifs/
£470m announced for Condition Improvement Fund next year
Over 650 schools and colleges will receive money for building repairs through the capital funding pot.
Warning over ‘harrowing’ school cuts in spending review
The government faces four big decisions on education funding in next month’s spending review, according to experts.
Academies
Biggest-ever academy trust merger given minister greenlight
Catholic mega MATMulti-academy trust - a group of schools working in collaboration, governed by a single set of members and directors set to become second biggest in England as bosses eye September launch.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/biggest-ever-academy-trust-merger-given-minister-greenlight/
International
Over 250 new international schools in the pipeline
Most new international schools will be in Asia – but in some areas, rapid growth is leading to ‘enrolment pressures’, according to one research paper.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/over-250-new-international-schools-pipeline
Politics
Continuity at the top is crucial to Labour’s opportunity mission
Talk of a reshuffle may have the education secretary’s detractors excited, but it would be bad news for a sector in desperate need of stable leadership.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-at-the-top-is-crucial-to-labours-opportunity-mission/
People
UK teaching union to hold leadership election as challenger emerges
NASUWT appointed Matt Wrack unopposed, but Neil Butler has won right to run against former firefighters’ union leader.
Cardiff University set to scale down music and languages degrees but scrap two others
Cardiff University has announced it plans to close its ancient history and religion and theology degrees, and scale down its music and modern languages courses.
__________
23 May
Teacher retention and recruitment
DfE chief: ‘We can support schools to be more efficient’
Susan Acland-Hood also claims pledge to recruit 6,500 more teachers is underway, but cannot explain policy.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-chief-we-can-support-schools-to-be-more-efficient/
Teacher pay: DfE accepts 4% rise, provides £615m funding
But schools must fund a quarter of the rise themselves, on top of savings they’ve already budgeted for.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teacher-pay-dfe-accepts-4-rise-provides-615m-funding/
Teacher pay and conditions: 5 suggestions from the STRB
Make schools ‘fully embrace’ flexible working, review pay grades and consider multi-year settlements, says review body.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teacher-pay-and-conditions-5-suggestions-from-the-strb/
McKinnell: Why we’re extending our flexible-working programme
Writing exclusively for Tes, the minister for school standards says the government wants every school to offer flexible working and it is providing funding to make it happen.
Ofsted
Ofsted is rewriting its report card inspection toolkits
Ofsted is carrying out a ‘substantial’ rewrite of the inspection toolkits it will use to grade schools in new inspections. Although it’s still not delaying the rollout
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-rewriting-its-report-card-inspection-toolkits
Ofsted report card inspections ‘too short for reliable judgement’
Be careful what you wish for. If the proposed inspection system is really about professional conversations, it seems to need more time in school and extremely expert inspectors. Is that what we want? And is it what we’ll get?
Inclusion
Schools could face SEND tribunal penalties
Direction forcing schools and councils to follow rules on evidence bundles follows deluge of ‘irrelevant’ information.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-could-face-send-tribunal-penalties/
Inclusive schools reflect their areas and are ‘culturally sensitive’ on behaviour – think tank
Centre for Young Lives recommends admissions duties are returned to councils and RISE advisers monitor school rolls.
SEND reforms: the backlash begins
‘If SEND isn’t fixed now – it will become so broken and big, it never gets resolved’, says one source. But parents are already ‘panicked’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/fierce-send-backlash-begins-as-dfe-sets-sights-on-ehcps-reform/
Mental Health
Labour to roll out new measures to teach children resilience in battle on mental health in schools
More mental health support to build ‘resilience’
‘Grit’ no substitute for better mental health funding for pupils in England, say experts
But is it actually about ‘grit’? And is it ‘grit’ that our young people need, or perhaps they need to not be poor, hungry, homeless or spending their time caring for relatives…
Mental health and attendance: 5 insights for school leaders
New DfE research offers insightful analysis of the relationship between mental ill-health and school absence, including some findings that challenge conventional wisdom, writes Luke Ramsden.
Mental-health lessons in schools sound like a great idea. The trouble is, they don’t work
All-class therapy sessions don’t help, and may even make matters worse. The evidence shows we need different solutions.
It’s not ‘grit’ that children lack, but proper support
Letters identify that children’s ‘grit’ is not the problem. Also a lovely letter from North York Moors Trust about nature in the classroom
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/21/its-not-grit-that-children-lack-but-proper-support
Equalities
Labour ‘kicking can down the road’ over schools trans rules
(Just as the Conservatives did before them). Guidance for schools on pupils who identify as the opposite sex may not be published before the summer holidays, the Education Secretary has said.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14721145/Labour-kicking-road-schools-trans-rules.html
Heavy periods affect school attendance and exam scores, study in England finds
“It’s not because of their periods. It’s because society is not set up to support people whilst they are menstruating”
Kendall vows to give young people ‘chances and choices’ for a better life
The Work and Pensions Secretary was speaking at the launch in Liverpool of a programme to get young people into education, work and training.
The Y7 dip
Revealed: The school pupils who disengage during ‘Year 7 dip’
The engagement decline in England is more pronounced than in other countries, suggesting that there’s something ‘atypical’ about what we do here. I wonder what it could be…
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-the-school-pupils-who-disengage-during-year-7-dip/
Six lessons from the biggest ever study on pupil engagement
Trends arising from a study of over 100,000 pupils sheds light on how school leaders can best tackle attendance, behaviour and more.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/six-lessons-from-the-biggest-ever-study-on-pupil-engagement/
Curriculum & qualifications
What British children are REALLY being taught in school: Transatlantic slavery becomes most studied topic in UK history lessons – with only one in 10 students learning about Trafalgar and Waterloo
The Campaign for Real Education says the history curriculum has been ‘captured by the Left’
Children’s Laureate calls for action over ‘indefensible’ reading inequality
All children and families should have access to high-quality books that are ‘representative of the contemporary UK’, a report says.
Tech
UK to back global rules on AI in schools, says Phillipson
Woohoo! We’re gonna be first! At the forefront of the technology ‘revolution’
Chatbots will be able to teach children TWICE as fast as teachers in the next 10 years, says the ‘godfather of AI’
And hurrah – we’ve solved the teacher supply crisis. Give children AI tutors. And then maybe assess their AI-derived answers in exams. We could cut out children as well as teachers then. Woohoo!
Ethical leadership
Ethical dilemmas: when religious beliefs clash with curriculum
The latest instalment in our ethical leadership series presents another case study of how the Framework for Ethical Leadership can guide school leaders through difficult situations.
Policy-making
Senior civil servants ‘don’t know very much about education’
Academy chief and ex-senior DfE official says moving between departments ‘erodes’ capacity. Does anyone know when the golden era was when civil servants could build expertise?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/senior-civil-servants-dont-know-very-much-about-education/
__________
16 May
Teacher retention and recruitment
Apprenticeships shortened to get teachers into classroom sooner
It makes sense for teacher training to fit within the school year. But where are the placement schools/mentors/ etc for all these trainees?
Targeted pay offers would solve teacher shortage woes
The government must use financial incentives to address the lack of teachers in key subjects, says Labour MP and Commons Education Select Committee member (and former Teach First maths teacher) Mark Sewards. But will it recruit more teachers, or just move them around?
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/targeted-pay-offers-would-solve-teacher-shortage-woes
The review into leadership NPQs is starting in the wrong place
The way DfE are going about it will not generate the information they need to drive improvement.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-review-into-leadership-npqs-is-starting-in-the-wrong-place/
Will the teacher pay ‘farce’ continue under Labour?
It’s nearly half term, must be time to start the speculation about teacher pay rises. Leaders are likely to know earlier this year – probably around the spending review which concludes on 11 June.
Most primary subject leaders not offered TLR payments
There’s not enough money to pay teachers for the subject leadership they do. I wonder if there’s a gender discrimination issue in here (most primary teachers are women…)
Inclusion
Three-quarters of primary teachers report declining fine motor skills
Primary teachers say pupils are finding it harder to using pencils and scissors
10,000 teachers to be trained in PE for pupils with SEND
DfE scheme to make PE lessons more inclusive aims to reach more than 240,000 pupils over three years.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/teachers-be-trained-pe-lessons-pupils-send
DfE sets out mental health, behaviour and attendance plans
Mental health support in schools will be expanded, and there will be 90 attendance and behaviour hubs (in place of the behaviour hubs disbanded earlier)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/mental-health-support-teams-cover-more-school-pupils
DfE considering if EHCPs are ‘right vehicle’
SEND adviser Dame Christine Lenehan says what teachers have known for a long time. ECHPs don’t work. Will we see a change that makes a positive difference?
Early years
4 in 5 teachers warn government will miss ‘school-ready’ target
Is our problem a lack of affordable childcare? Or are 5 year olds just too young for the kind of education schools offer? In Estonia they don’t start til 7 – and have a different focus for pre-schools.
Changes to nursery space requirements in England risk overcrowding, experts say
How much space do small children need?
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/may/12/space-requirements-nurseries-england-overcrowding
‘Generational shift’ in free childcare will give women freedom, says Phillipson
More free childcare will ‘empower’ women to have more children, apparently. I think we possibly need a bigger cultural shift than this, but what do I know?
Behaviour
‘Punching walls’ and ‘shouting’: Inside the worrying rise of children reporting anger issues
School and online pressures have been blamed for the rise in children turning to Childcare for help with anger issues.
Restraint guidance needs training standards and more ‘precise’ language – EHRC
Equalities watchdog warns draft DfE guidance on reasonable force could leave teachers and children in ‘jeopardy’.
Equalities
We need to advocate for poor white boys – or others will
So many questions. Yes, we need to expand the conversation. But muddy data and confused data won’t help the intersectional thinking we need (in my opinion!)
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-need-to-advocate-for-poor-white-boys-or-others-will/
Disadvantage
The ‘tale of two cities’ threatening Labour’s opportunity mission
Social mobility of some pupils in the poorest parts of London is three times that of counterparts in Newcastle, Sutton Trust warns.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-tale-of-two-cities-threatening-labours-opportunity-mission/
Curriculum & qualifications
Maths hubs funding drops (but DfE says it’s not a cut)
Leaders say the funding fall could result in redundancies and less support for teachers.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/maths-hubs-funding-drops-but-dfe-says-its-not-a-cut/
KS2 Sats: Fivefold increase in use of transcribers
Data obtained by Tes shows surge in access arrangements for KS2 Sats, fuelling concerns about a decline in pupils’ handwriting and system’s susceptibility to abuse.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/key-stage-2-sats-fivefold-increase-use-transcribers
Sats: Call to increase marks needed to hit expected standard in maths
AI will do most of our maths for us (apparently), but we’ll need different maths to manage the AI. (And, in my opinion, lots of maths to understand the world and question our overlords (human or robot))
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/sats-increase-marks-needed-hit-expected-standard-maths
Ofsted
Ofsted mulls report card inspection delay
Inspectorate considering pushing back the roll-out of new inspections until 2026.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-mulls-report-card-inspection-delay/
Ofsted consultation response ‘later than hoped’ but no plan to delay inspections
Ah no, it’s only the response to the consultation that will be delayed. Ofsted wants time to read them properly. But it knows already that it can have a new system up and running by the autumn
Heads legally powerless to avoid Ofsted report card inspections
The NAHT has taken legal action against Ofsted’s recent consultation. But, regardless of the outcome, schools will have to participate in inspections, say legal experts.
SEND monitoring inspections to restart this term, says Ofsted
Regulation and inspection is important – but is it holding the right people to account for failures to provide an education that meets children’s needs? Can it help build a better system?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/send-monitoring-inspections-to-restart-this-term-says-ofsted/
School improvement
Stuck schools held accountable if RISE advice falls flat
The improvement divisions will instead be charged with making ‘sure delivery is happening’
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/stuck-schools-held-accountable-if-rise-advice-falls-flat/
School food
No such thing as a long lunch: 1 in 10 schools provide under 30 minutes
School lunch – not enough time, not enough food, and also not nice
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/no-such-thing-as-a-long-lunch-1-in-10-schools-provide-under-30-minutes/
School meals ‘help picky teens eat more healthily’
Having school dinners could help picky teenagers have a more varied and balanced diet, a Bristol University study suggests.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c991yxj79dvo
__________
9 May
Teacher retention and recruitment
Harris blames ‘unfunded’ pay rises as it plans redundancies
But NASUWT teaching union accuses academy trust of ‘disgraceful behaviour’ as its CEO earns £500K and it has ‘tens of millions’ in reserves
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/harris-blames-unfunded-pay-rises-as-it-plans-redundancies/
Teacher shortage ‘locks out’ poorest students from Stem A levels
Nearly a third of schools in the poorest areas can’t offer computer science A level due to teacher shortages, a Teacher Tapp poll commissioned by Teach First shows.
Inclusion
Headteachers in England, Wales and NI say Send provision crisis is worsening
Nine out of 10 school leaders tell NAHT survey they are finding it harder to meet special needs of pupils than a year ago.
DfE to set out costed SEND plan ‘within a year’
DfE accepts the recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee and promises to set out a costed plan for SEND by April 2026, and set out its vision for inclusive education by December
Equalities
EHRC guidance causes trans toilet trouble for schools
Data suggests as many as one in four schools has mixed-sex toilets.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ehrc-guidance-causes-trans-toilet-trouble-for-schools/
Curriculum & qualifications
Calls for language GCSEs to be graded less harshly
And we’re off! It’s the summer so we’re into exam stories. FFT Education Datalab analysis shows computer science is graded more harshly than any other subjects, followed by languages.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/calls-for-language-gcses-to-be-graded-less-harshly/
Cut GCSE exam papers to boost wellbeing, says OCR Chief
Seems a sensible idea to have fewer exam papers per subject
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/cut-gcse-exam-papers-boost-wellbeing-suggests-ocr-chief
More primaries take far from perfect key stage one SATs
There’s been a slight rise in take up of ks1 SATs, despite them now being optional. Impact of a high stakes accountability system? Or not enough assessment skills for teachers any more?
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/primary/more-primaries-take-far-perfect-key-stage-one-sats
Tech
Girls and pupils at disadvantaged schools to benefit from maths funding
A third of maths A level students are girls, while around 22% of those working in AI related jobs are women. £8.2m for advanced maths support is intended to change this. Meanwhile Sir Kevan Collins will chair a group of experts to advise on AI in the curriculum. Not sure how this links with the Curriculum review…
Students to get GCSE results via app under DfE trial
GCSE students in two regions will access their results digitally this summer as part of a new ‘education record’ that is being piloted – intended to be used for later job applications
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/students-get-gcse-exam-results-via-app-dfe-trial
Keep AI away from early years, says digital learning expert
AI has benefits, but there are places it shouldn’t touch – including the early years – according to experts
‘The crux of all evil’: what happened to the first city that tried to ban smartphones for under-14s?
It’s a year since teachers in St Albans asked parents not to give younger children smartphones. How successful have they been? What do the kids think about it? And has it made the adults think about their own ‘addiction’?
Behaviour
‘Defiance’ from parents over bad school behaviour
The Welsh inspectorate (Estyn) calls for a national campaign to tackle bad behaviour in schools, including working with parents who aren’t always supportive of school approaches.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wxwzqxn40o
School places
Revealed: How much parents are paying on average each year to send child to school
The cost of sending children to school in the UK has ‘significantly increased’ since 2022, according to CPAG. It’s now £2,275 for secondary school and £1,000 for primary.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/state-school-uk-cost-increase-b2746590.html
Ofsted
NAHT to take Ofsted to court over school report cards
School leaders’ union issues a claim for a judicial review against Ofsted stating that the consultation on the 5-point scale and its subjudgments was inadequate. Ofsted says their claims are ‘untenable’
Heads legally powerless to avoid ofsted report card inspections
Whatever happens in NAHT’s judicial review, heads can’t refuse entry to Ofsted inspectors – it’s against the law
Welsh
Bill to boost Welsh learners passes key stage
A bill which aims to ensure all pupils in Wales finish school as “independent Welsh language users” has passed its final detailed stage in the Senedd.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglxl272yeeo
__________
2 May
Teacher retention and recruitment
The sector has taken another big step in parent-teacher support
After NEU Conference motion calls for 26 week fully paid maternity leave, MTPT suggests there is new hope for our parent-educators
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-sector-has-taken-another-big-step-in-parent-teacher-support/
STRB recommends teacher pay rise ‘close to 4%’ – reports
Ministers don’t have to follow the recommendations, but will face teacher strikes if they don’t offer the higher pay rise and if it isn’t fully funded
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/strb-recomments-teacher-pay-rise-close-to-4-reports/
Fifty-year-olds returning to teaching is good news – they won’t ram wokeness down children’s throats
The Telegraph says Lockdown mollycoddling and culture wars broke our kids, but an army of old-school teachers might just save them yet. Does being over 50 really make you old-school?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/29/teachers-woke-ideologies-celia-walden/
Disadvantaged schools have ‘substantial’ staff experience gap
Secondary schools in deprived areas also see notably higher teacher turnover, says Education Policy Institute research.
Rise in teacher applicants across most subjects, as targets cut 20%
Positive news in most subjects, though we should remember that the targets don’t necessarily get us to fully staffed schools
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/rise-in-teacher-applicants-across-most-subjects-as-targets-cut-20/
Delivering 6.5k new teachers pledge is ‘significant challenge’, says DfE
It will be tough to find 6,500 new teachers (even with this year’s increased applicants)
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/delivering-6-5k-new-teachers-pledge-is-significant-challenge-says-dfe/
Senior leaders aspiring to headship falls to record low
NAHT poll shows fewer people want to be head. Almost half say they need mental health support, and a third are already receiving it.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/senior-leaders-aspiring-headship-falls-record-low
Bank of England backs scheme to put more economics teachers into state schools
Pupils taking economics are predominantly male and white. The Bank wants to encourage a more diverse economics profession – and is supporting plans to train secondary school teachers to teach economics alongside their usual subjects
Is teacher recruitment showing ‘green shoots’ of recovery?
Is the teacher recruitment crisis easing? Have education ministers all been told to point to ‘green shoots of recovery’?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/is-teacher-recruitment-showing-green-shoots-of-recovery/
School improvement
McKinnell: ‘Too many pupils attend underperforming schools’
Here’s those green shoots again. The minister for school standards says new RISE teams will support ‘high and rising standards’ and despairs of the 600 ‘stuck’ schools. They’ve been ‘stuck’ for a while – do we really understand why?
RISE teams: Trust leaders voice transparency concerns
Academy trust leaders tell Tes that it’s not clear how support for struggling schools will be procured under the government scheme.
Ofsted
Perry’s sister and sector leaders call for Ofsted reform pause
NEU co-ordinated letter calls for a delay in the reforms
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/perrys-sister-and-sector-leaders-call-for-ofsted-reform-pause/
Schools Bill
Schools Bill will result in cheaper uniform costs, ministers claim
MPs have previously raised concerns about the high costs parents face in buying branded items of clothing for uniform.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/schools-bill-uniform-costs-mps-claim-b2740499.html
Tech
Schools are paying for Labour-backed AI software to set students’ homework – but critics fear technology will make teachers ‘lazy and incompetent’
The Daily Mail and The Campaign for Real Learning don’t like AI in schools
Curriculum & qualifications
9 in 10 secondary teachers make their own curriculum resources
Just 13 per cent of secondary teachers use Oak National Academy resources in their lesson planning, DfE survey finds. And only 11% of primary and special school teachers.
The teen reading crisis – and the plan to start fixing it
Too many teenagers don’t have the reading skills to access the curriculum, but Professor Jessie Ricketts is on a mission to change that.
Equalities
Legal action over equality in teacher misconduct cases
Unions seek a judicial review over fears that Black and minority ethnic teachers could be overrepresented in referrals to the Teaching Regulation Agency.
‘Undue focus’ on pupils’ race risks ‘over-complicating’ exclusions, says judge
School ‘vindicated’ after ruling it acted lawfully when it excluded a boy of black Caribbean heritage.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/undue-focus-on-pupils-race-risks-over-complicating-exclusions-says-judge/
Boys ‘need role models to combat online misogyny’
The London Assembly calls on the Mayor of London to champion “relatable, positive male role models” to counter misogynistic attitudes that boys see online.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kxydj33zko.amp
Schools in England and Wales urged to teach relationship violence prevention
Youth Endowment Fund says specialised lessons needed to tackle issues such as abuse, consent and coercion.
Primary pupils should get hate speech warning – union
NASUWT calls for primary school pupils to be educated in the dangers of hate speech from online influencers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1mevlzgp90o
Inclusion
Health must shoulder more SEND accountability, experts tell MPs
7 findings from health experts at the education committee inquiry into SEND.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/health-must-shoulder-more-send-accountability-experts-tell-mps/
Politics
NEU backs strikes ‘blueprint’ to ‘take on’ large MATs
NEU Conference backs a motion to ‘take the fight’ to large MATs
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/neu-backs-strikes-blueprint-to-take-on-large-mats/
Teaching union reverses Matt Wrack appointment ahead of legal challenge
They thought it was all over. But NASUWT have had to reopen nominations and make Matt Wrack ‘acting general secretary’ for now
Teaching union forced to pay £78,000 after legal challenge over appointment of leader
It was an expensive error by NASUWT
Matt Wrack plans to stay in post as teaching union’s general secretary
More from the story that keeps on giving. Wrack will stand in the new elections as NASUWT Executive’s nominated candidate. And he believes Tory politicians are briefing against him
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/01/matt-wrack-teaching-union-general-secretary-nasuwt
__________
25 April
Retention and recruitment
Centre for Teaching Excellence will be ‘shaped by teachers’
Scotland’s Centre for Teaching Excellence will include a hub for teacher research, based in Glasgow, as well as hubs for Gaelic education, rural and remote education and learning for sustainability
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/centre-for-teaching-excellence-will-be-shaped-teachers
Retention: What will it take to make more schools ‘sticky’?
Evidence to the Teaching Commission shows supportive school cultures (and leadership) retains teachers, but almost everyone focuses on ‘what Ofsted wants’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/retention-what-will-it-take-to-more-schools-sticky/
Teachers show strike appetite, but low turnout issues
47% of teachers responded to NEU’s indicative ballot, so although over 80% voted in favour of striking, it wouldn’t be enough in a real ballot.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-show-strike-appetite-but-low-turnout-issues
Nearly 2 in 3 teachers stressed at work most of the time
NEU survey shows younger teachers, women teachers and primary school teachers are the most stressed
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/most-teachers-stressed-most-of-the-time-workload
Phillipson concern about alternative pension impact on younger teachers
Education secretary responds to NASUWT concerns over United Learning Trust’s pension plan.
Large MATs are ‘havens for higher workload’, says NEU boss
Teacher turnover is higher too, according to Kebede. CST disagrees with the analysis.
More school support staff not being paid for extra hours
72% of support staff polled by NEU say they are working more than their contracted hours – and unpaid – because of workload.
School support staff offered 3.2% pay rise
This compares with the 2.8% teachers have been offered. And amid warnings that schools will have to make ‘efficiencies’ next year to cover pay rises for teachers and support staff.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/school-support-staff-offered-32-pay-rise
Secondary school job adverts fall by almost a third
Teacher recruitment activity slowed ‘markedly’ in the spring term, with schools’ squeezed budgets a factor, warns new report. Although a late Easter might also have had an impact.
Cuts to Scottish student teacher targets expected
Meanwhile, in Scotland, new primary teachers are struggling to find work, leading to likely cuts in the training targets.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/cuts-scottish-student-teacher-targets-expected
Teacher pay: NASUWT could ballot members within weeks
Conference says ‘go’ to ballot members if the pay offer isn’t fully funded. Also, it looks like there might be a challenger to Matt Wrack’s bid to be the next General Secretary. Exciting!
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teacher-pay-nasuwt-could-ballot-members-within-weeks/
Ministers raise concern over NASUWT move for ‘combative’ ex-FBU chief
Unnamed ministers are worried. Wrack is a Corbyn-supporter and an ally of Daniel Kebede, suggesting moves towards merger would be on the cards.
Matt Wrack confirmed as next NASUWT general secretary
Oh no, as you were. Former Gen Sec of the Fire Brigade Union is the new NASUWT GS
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/matt-wrack-confirmed-as-next-nasuwt-general-secretary/
Teaching union faces legal challenge over new general secretary
But perhaps it’s not quite as clear cut as we thought
Ofsted
6 proposals from academy bosses to improve Ofsted reforms
CST gives clear suggestions to improve Ofsted’s proposals.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/6-proposals-from-academy-bosses-to-improve-ofsted-reforms/
Ofsted: We know we need to improve our inspection plans
Rory Gribbell tells TES that Ofsted’s plans need to change – though they’ll wait for the consultation to end before deciding exactly how
Ofsted report cards ‘unfit for purpose’, finds ‘alternative’ consultation
Colin Richards and Frank Norris have put out the report from their ‘alternative big consultation’ on Ofsted. It’s not pretty.
Ofsted’s inspection changes should be thrown out
Ofsted needs to start again with its proposals, according to two former HMI
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/why-ofsted-should-drop-changes-to-school-inspection
Teacher trainers warn Ofsted plans will cause confusion
Ofsted’s proposed toolkits for the inspection of initial teacher education are ‘underdeveloped’ and likely to lead to ‘unacceptable variations’, says NASBTT.
Mental health
What we’ve learned from five years of mental health support
The Anna Freud Centre shares its findings: early intervention, family support and whole school approaches are key to supporting children’s mental health.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/what-weve-learned-from-five-years-of-mental-health-support/
Is young people’s mental health finally recovering after Covid?
Public First report suggests young people’s mental health is improving (slowly), but schools are the greatest stressor for 11-18 year olds.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/is-young-peoples-mental-health-finally-recovering-after-covid/
Farage sparks furious backlash after claiming children with special educational needs are ‘over diagnosed’
The Reform UK leader claimed GPs are over diagnosing adults with mental health problems and children with special educational needs.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/farage-send-children-autism-reform-b2738961.html
Breakfast clubs
Free school breakfast clubs will give parents ‘breathing space’, says Starmer
The new clubs, providing 30 minutes of morning childcare, are part of a trial at 750 schools until July.
79 schools withdraw from breakfast clubs trial
1 in 10 trial schools have pulled out, with many citing inadequate funding,
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/79-schools-withdraw-from-breakfast-clubs-trial/
Free school meals
English schools left to subsidise infants’ free meals after 3p funding increase, say leaders
DfE raises funding from £2.58 to £2.61 per child per meal in September.
Equalities
Barking at women, blocking doors: Teachers reveal Andrew Tate’s chilling influence on boys
NASUWT poll shows boys as young as 10 are idolising Andrew Tate and holding women in contempt
Early years
New website to help parents teach basic skills amid concerns over children’s school readiness
Bridget Phillipson backs the new website by Kindred Squared, that suggests things parents need to do to get children ready for school – like being able to go to the toilet, and put on a coat.
Why school readiness is the most important equality issue in society
Most parents think they’re child is ready for school before they start. Most reception teachers say they are not. The director of Kindred Squared talks about the importance of supporting parents.
Exclusion
Rise in school suspensions and exclusion
Almost 300,000 pupils were ordered to temporarily stay away from classrooms during the 2023/24 spring term, a 12% increase on the year before, according to DfE figures.
https://news.sky.com/story/rise-in-school-suspensions-and-exclusion-13354990
Politics
Farage clashes with teaching union over ‘far right’ claim
NEU Conference brands Reform UK as racist and far-right. Farage says he’ll ‘go to war’ with left wing teacher unions if he becomes prime minister in 2029
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/creqvy9g84xo
__________
14 April
Teacher retention and recruitment
Welsh government offers £5,000 more to student teachers from ethnic minorities
The grant scheme is part of the Welsh Labour administration’s action plan to move Wales ‘closer towards being an anti-racist nation by 2030’.
4 ways Labour can drive teacher recruitment
Our own Alison talks about the importance of diversity and flexibility – including recruiting career changers – in the drive for more teachers
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/how-to-help-labour-hit-thousands-new-teachers-pledge
The spending review must protect Labour’s CPD pledge
Government needs to spend money on CPD if it’s to retain teachers, says Ambition Institute
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-spending-review-must-protect-labours-cpd-pledge/
Equalities
Fifth of state pupils have private tutor at GCSE (and it’s not cheap)
How is this a level playing field for schools or pupils?
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/gsce-a-level-private-tutoring-revision-camps-wxfmf629r
A third of teachers reported misogyny among pupils last week, survey suggests
More than a third of secondary teachers have reported misogynistic behaviour from pupils at their school in the last week, a survey commissioned by BBC News suggests.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yr0zw65lro
Anti-racism training must be mandatory for all school staff, says NAHT
Anti-racism training should be part of the KCSIE guidance, NAHT tells TUC Black Worker Conference
Inclusion
Dyslexia debate: definitions, interventions and ‘woke’ worries
Is it time to rethink dyslexia? These researchers think so.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/what-new-definition-dyslexia-means-for-schools
Mental health
Invest in childhood ‘or risk losing a generation to poor mental health’
One in five of 8-25 year olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023, according to the NHS. The report, Invest in Childhood, highlights the need for an integrated system to support mental health
Behaviour
Pupils and teachers voice fears over ‘staggering’ decision to remove specialist police officers from London schools
The Met Police has taken 371 safer schools officers out of schools, leaving heads, teachers and pupils feeling less protected from knives and drugs. https://news.sky.com/story/pupils-and-teachers-voice-fears-over-staggering-decision-to-remove-specialist-police-officers-from-london-schools-13341159
Funding
Surge in school cuts ‘threatening Labour’s opportunity mission’
Too little money means schools are cutting staff and using pupil premium to plug gaps – Sutton Trust
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/surge-in-school-cuts-threatening-labours-opportunity-mission/
Curriculum & qualifications
GCSE and A-level grading: 6 things teachers need to know
Everything you ever wanted to know about how exams are graded. In a handy summary.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/gcse-and-level-exam-grading-6-things-teachers-need-know
Geography: challenges and opportunities for the subject
Geography is thriving, but overloaded exam specs and too few specialist teachers can make curriculum planning and teaching a challenge, according to Mark Enser
Tech
Nearly all schools now restrict mobile phones, survey finds
Children’s Commissioner study shows over 90% of schools don’t allow phone use in school, but nearly 80% of secondaries allow phones in school but out of site
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/nearly-all-schools-now-restrict-mobile-phones-survey-finds/ Kebede: DfE should ban phones in schools to alleviate pressures
NEU boss says he thinks there should be a complete ban on phones in schools
How we created 250 virtual reality lessons for our schools
Inspired Education develops VR lessons
Early years
The Guardian view on early years education: new nurseries must be the start of something bigger
Early education is both a social good and a feminist issue. Labour needs to be ambitious. Will it?
School-ready pupils target ‘at risk’ because of family support cuts
Being ‘school ready’ impacts later pupil attendance and attainment, but it needs support (and funding) for families to make it happen according to the Centre for Young Lives
What goes on inside toddlers’ brains? A pioneering project is trying to find out
This fascinating project is part of a bigger project following children born in the 1990s – now their toddlers are giving insights into when working memory and inhibitory control develop – key skills needed for learning
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg71z808q9o
Politics
Strikes, maternity pay and SATs boycott: NEU conference preview
Eight interesting motions to the NEU conference. Not all will pass, but watch the press paint teachers as left wing strike-happy activists, rather than consider the underlying education issues
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/strikes-maternity-pay-and-sats-boycott-neu-conference-preview/
NEU: Government doesn’t have ‘much choice’ but to increase pay offer
Pay, Ofsted, SATs and exams will be under scrutiny at NEU Annual Conference
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/neu-government-no-choice-but-increase-pay-offer
Schools Bill
‘Britain’s strictest headteacher’ Katharine Birbalsingh criticises Education Secretary over ‘appalling’ schools bill
Could equally have been headlined, Oasis founder Steve Chalke believes the Schools Bill could do amazing things for children and young people. But that’s not news.
People
Chalke it up to experience
Steve Chalke’s mission was to set up a house, a school and a hospital. He talks about his vision, and his frustration. Ministers with an opportunity mission should listen.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/chalke-it-up-to-experience/
7 key facts about Oli de Botton, Labour’s new education adviser
Everything you need to know about ‘left-ish’ Oli de Botton, including that his wife was director of comms at number 10. Under Rishi Sunak.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/7-key-facts-about-oli-de-botton-labours-new-education-adviser/
__________
4 April
Teacher retention and recruitment
Why we need a mandatory safeguarding qualification
Safeguarding can be, literally, about life and death. But training is inconsistent.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/why-we-need-a-mandatory-safeguarding-qualification
Adolescence is powerful TV – but why the tired teacher tropes?
Spoiler alert. The portrayal of teachers in Adolescence is unnecessarily negative once again.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/why-does-adolescence-tv-show-negative-about-teachers
Teacher union reports ‘surge’ in concerns about redundancies
In the run-up to Union conference season, NASUWT warns of increasing redundancies as funding squeezes get tighter.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teacher-union-reports-surge-in-concerns-about-redundancies/
Pupil numbers: The regional forecasts schools need to know
Pupil numbers will decline. But who’d have thought the national data might hide very different regional forecasts…
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/pupil-numbers-regional-forecasts-schools-need-to-know
Equalities
Scottish schools ‘can’t tackle violence against women and girls alone’
Schools should be teaching students about misogyny – but they need more help to address the problem, MSPs are told.
‘Boys feel increasingly isolated’: teenagers on Netflix’s Adolescence
There’s not much to like about being a boy these days, according to this group of sixth-formers. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/31/boys-feel-increasingly-isolated-teenagers-on-netflix-adolescence
Phillipson: More male teachers needed to combat ‘toxic’ influences
The Children’s Commissioner’s Festival of Childhood hears about the crisis in childhood, that’s about even more than misogyny
Education Secretary: More men needed in classrooms to be positive role models
Boys need positive role models. We need more men in teaching.
Girls in England feel less safe at school than they did pre-Covid, survey finds
13-14 year old girls feel less safe in school than they did before, and also less safe than girls in other countries. The other side of the toxic masculinity coin?
Tech
We need action to protect children from social media’s inevitable harm
In the discussion provoked by the series ‘Adolescence’, ASCL remind us that tech billionaires have huge power but no responsibility. Something must be done.
Struggling readers spotted by eye-tracking software trial
Schools are amazed by the results, but is it safe?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/struggling-readers-spotted-by-eye-tracking-software-trial/
Bridget Phillipson eyes AI’s potential to free up teachers’ time
The Secretary of State is pinning her hopes for reducing teacher workload on AI tools. Is it really the magic bullet? Our Annual Lecture suggests not.
Using AI to judge writing could ‘revolutionise’ assessment – trial
No More Marking trials AI to mark writing through comparative judgementAn approach to marking where teachers compare two students’ responses to a task and choose which is better, then repeat this process with other pieces of work, and suggest it could be a game-changer
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/using-ai-to-judge-writing-could-revolutionise-assessment-trial/
Inclusion
Parents’ views sought on integrated education
Parents in Northern Ireland are being asked if they want more schools where Catholic and Protestant children are educated together
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4yekg11n8o
Is a formal dyslexia diagnosis valuable?
As Jamie Oliver turns his attention to dyslexia, is it true that it’s the system that’s at fault?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/is-a-formal-dyslexia-diagnosis-valuable
Scottish children’s commissioner: Too many children let down by education system
Meanwhile, in Scotland, children – particularly those with Additional Learning Needs – are let down by a system glacially slow to reform
Nearly 20 councils in England ‘at risk of insolvency’ due to Send costs
Costs of support for pupils with SEND could push local authorities over the funding cliff
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/30/councils-england-insolvency-risk-send-costs
Curriculum & qualifications
T-level qualifications still less popular and more expensive than BTecs, watchdog finds
Who would have thought that T-levels would struggle to replace the more popular BTecs? Oh, everyone except the previous government, it turns out
Matt Hood: Oak has its critics, but the achievements are many
As he moves on from Oak, the CEO reminisces about the glory days of the curriculum body in the pandemic, and extols its future possibilities
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/matt-hood-oak-critics-achievements-are-many
Oracy chair reassured it ‘will be woven’ into curriculum review final report
Geoff Barton reminds us that oracy is vital, even if it’s not mentioned in the interim report
School curriculum resources to teach children about risks of in-game purchases
Oak Academy has released lessons on financial education (notwithstanding that financial education is part of (statutory in secondary school) Citizenship)
Ofsted
‘What we see are wasted lives’
A rare story of Ofsted as ‘the good guys’ as they inspect illegal schools
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/what-we-see-are-wasted-lives-meet-the-ofsted-illegal-schools-team/
Giving ex-Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman seat in Lords is an insult, says dead teacher’s sister
And now, Amanda Spielman – who declared that Ofsted did no wrong after the inquiry into Ruth Perry’s post-inspection death – will join the House of Lords
Ofsted chief rejects call for fewer inspection grades
Sir Martyn Oliver says it’s not good enough to be good enough
Ofsted looks at renaming new ‘secure’ grade
Will changing the word ‘secure’ make judgements any less vague?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-looks-at-renaming-new-secure-grade/
Disadvantage
The schools working hard for the ‘forgotten third’
How are schools supporting the third of GCSE pupils in England who don’t achieve a grade 4 in English and maths?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-schools-working-hard-for-the-forgotten-third/
Government can and should deliver state-funded tutoring
According to the tutoring agencies, tutoring is key to closing the attainment gap. They state their evidence here
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-can-and-should-deliver-state-funded-tutoring/
Behaviour
Help us find the missing pieces of the engagement puzzle
Pupil engagement in secondary schools underpins attainment, attendance, happiness and self-worth. How do we build it?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/help-us-find-the-missing-pieces-of-the-engagement-puzzle/
Teenagers’ socioemotional skills ‘significantly worse’ in England
Socio-emotional skills support self-control, empathy, co-operation, and are important for learning and social justice, according to NFER report
Funding
Schools warn of staff cuts as Reeves snubs sector
No more money for schools in the spring statement, means schools will struggle
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-warn-of-staff-cuts-as-reeves-snubs-sector/
Cost-cutters’ savings ‘won’t compensate’ for inadequate funding
Schools keep cutting costs, but there’s still not enough money
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/cost-cutters-savings-wont-compensate-for-inadequate-funding/
Funding for school-based nurseries doubles
The DfE has approved bids for 300 in-school nurseries, with double the original funding. But is it enough to provide high quality education – and where are the staff? https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/early-years/dfe-increases-funding-for-school-based-nurseries-eyfs
Revealed: The first 300 schools splitting £37m nursery cash
Schools Week lists the schools that will be setting up (or extending) nurseries with the new money
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-the-first-300-schools-splitting-37m-nursery-cash/
Politics
CfE review success depends on ‘broader ecosystem’
Scotland warns of the difficulty of doing the right things, in the right order, at the right time – we could probably learn some lessons in England
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/cfe-curriculum-review-success-broader-ecosystem
Oli de Botton appointed ‘expert adviser’ to Starmer on education
Former head of Schools 21, Teach-firster, CEO of the Careers and Enterprise Company, Voice 21 founder, to advise the PM on education and skills
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/oli-de-botton-appointed-expert-adviser-to-starmer-on-education/
__________
28 March
Teacher retention and recruitment
Why US schools have fallen in love with scripted lessons
Scripted lessons – good or bad? Of course it’s more nuanced than that
Over 5,000 Scottish primary teachers on temporary contracts
While in Scotland, a fifth of primary teachers are on temporary contracts – which is an improvement on last year but still worse than 2019
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/thousands-scottish-primary-teachers-temporary-contracts
Spring Statement: Teacher pay rise should top 3.7%, says NFER
Average earnings is forecast to be 3.7% in 2025-26, making DfE’s recommendation of a 2.8% pay rise for teachers look laughable
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/spring-statement-teacher-pay-rise-nfer
Funding
Restore £3.6bn ‘lost’ school capital funding, ASCL tells Treasury
It’s Spring Statement time. ASCL says government should make up some of the money lost over the last few years in school funding.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/restore-3-6bn-lost-school-capital-funding-ascl-tells-treasury/
Classes ‘shivering’ in winter and ‘overheated’ in summer
School buildings need a lot of love. Will the Chancellor oblige in her spring statement?
Union anger as spring statement snubs schools
Sadly, even though the Chancellor mentioned crumbling roofs (or rooves, take your pick), there was in fact no more money for schools in the spring statement
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/union-anger-as-spring-statement-snubs-schools/
Pensions
MATs told to seek DfE approval for ‘contentious transactions’
New guidance to MATs seeks to clarify to Union Learning (and everyone else) what counts as ‘novel, contentious and repercussive’ transactions. Turns out their pension scheme is.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/mats-told-seek-dfe-approval-contentious-transactions
MAT rejects DfE intervention over teacher pension plan
Confrontation over United Learning’s plan to offer teachers an alternative pension scheme that provides them with more take-home pay.
Teachers in divorce ‘limbo’ take pension legal action
Teachers unable to get divorced because of delays getting their pensions valued are taking legal action against the government.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y08v0n2jyo
Ofsted
Report cards will fuel workload problems, heads warn Ofsted
School leaders say report cards will lead to more pointless work
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-inspection-changes-will-increase-teacher-workload
Two in three parents support Ofsted’s proposed report cards for schools – poll
Parents think colour coding will make it easier to understand what’s going on at school
Ofsted parents’ survey on report cards ‘misses the point’
But heads say simplifying the reporting is no good if the reporting is flawed
‘Join the PTA not the pile-on’, Oliver tells complaining parents
Ofsted says more transparency could defuse the increase in parent complaints – and report cards are the way to do this
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-join-the-pta-not-the-pile-on-oliver-tells-complaining-parents/
Equalities
The Guardian view on gender gaps in education: girls and boys both need attention
Boys have started to do better than girls in science again. Girls are more likely to go to university. Mothers are paid less in their lifetime than fathers. This gender stuff is complex.
‘I was raped at the age of 10’: sexual abuse and harassment reported at 1,664 UK primary schools
The website ‘Everyone’s Invited’ reports on some awful stories from primary school children of harassment, groping, inappropriate touching and rape
Boys as young as 11 ‘are idolising Andrew Tate’: Primary school teachers tell of their concern ‘misogynistic ideology’ surging in classrooms
Teachers say misogyny starts early
‘Really concerning’ rise in sexual violence among teens, minister tells Sky News
Jess Phillips says children need to learn about misogyny and healthy relationships
Behaviour
Some children vaping in class, say teachers
NASUWT poll shows pupils are ‘gathering in the toilets’ to get their nicotine fix
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y21210g1wo
Exclusion
Teenagers excluded from school ‘twice as likely’ to commit serious violence
Large-scale analysis of UK police and education records reveals link between expulsion and violence within year.
Curriculum & qualifications
Harry Styles and Stormzy back Ed Sheeran’s call or UK to put £250m into music education
Ed Sheeran says we need more money for music education. Other famous people support that too.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-23/ed-sheeran-calls-for-uk-to-put-250m-into-music-education
Department for EducationThe ministerial department responsible for children’s services and education in England confirms launch of natural history GCSE
Campaigners have been calling for the qualification for years
Tech
Badenoch urges PM to ‘U-turn’ and ensure all schools enforce mobile phone ban
Most secondary schools already ban phones in some way or another. Starmer says we should be looking at content, which pupils can access anywhere, rather than policing schools
Banning us from social media is ‘neither practical nor effective’, UK teenagers say
UK youth parliament says tech firms need to step up to the plate, and protect social media users from violent and inappropriate content.
Politics
Nigel Farage will ‘go to war’ with union after teachers were told to ‘educate pupils who vote for racist Reform’ – as he clashes with GB News over its coverage of feud with his own MP
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged the party will ‘go to war against the teachers’ unions’ after the country’s largest education union branded it ‘far-Right and racist’.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14526947/Nigel-Farage-teachers-union-racist-Reform.html
Reform UK will go to war with teaching unions, says Nigel Farage
Outburst comes after anti-racism campaigners disrupt event in South Yorkshire and are escorted out.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/25/reform-uk-war-teaching-unions-nigel-farage
__________
21 March
Teacher retention and recruitment
Schools can afford less than half of proposed 2.8% pay rise, admits DfE
Schools will be forced to make more cuts if they’re to afford to give teachers the promised pay rise
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-can-afford-less-than-half-of-proposed-2-8-pay-rise-admits-dfe/
Why some schools will be hit harder by planned QTS change
Teachers without QTS are more likely to work in Special Schools than in mainstream, meaning government proposals will hit them harder
Ofsted
Why we fear Ofsted is not really listening
Two former HMIs continue to want Ofsted to listen to the profession – more info on the Alternative Big Consultation here too.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/why-we-fear-ofsted-not-really-listening
Ofsted mulls asking schools to rate inspectors
Should Ofsted ask the profession what it thinks of Ofsted? Er, yes – though it shouldn’t be surprised by what it hears
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-mulls-asking-schools-to-rate-inspectors/
Can Ofsted listen its way out of its political bind?
Will Ofsted actually hear the concerns of educators and think again about its report card proposals?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/can-ofsted-listen-its-way-out-of-its-political-bind/
Ofsted gets ‘first religious school leader in its history’ as education watchdog announces its new chairman
The Daily Mail’s take on Sir Hamid Patel’s appointment as interim Chair of Ofsted draws its readers attention to his faith rather than his career
Ofsted inspection toolkits ‘lack coherence’ on SEND
Proposed Ofsted toolkits might not work in Special Schools.
Behaviour
Stephen Morgan: DfE still ‘thinking through’ behaviour strategy
Still no clues as to what will replace behaviour hubs, or any broader strategy
Labour to scrutinise school smartphone bans as pressure grows over impact on teenagers
DfE will monitor smartphone bans in schools to see what’s working
Disadvantage
Poorer pupils’ higher absences ‘entirely explain’ growth in attainment gap
We need to tackle attendance if we’re going to close the attainment gap. And that needs a systemic focus
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/poorer-pupils-higher-absences-entirely-explain-growth-in-attainment-gap/
Disadvantage gap: why the impact of absence is now clear
The strategy to manage school absence needs to focus on root causes, including SEND and mental health
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/disadvantage-gap-why-impact-absence-now-clear
Five years on: Have we learned the lessons of lockdown?
The impacts of Covid were felt most by the most disadvantaged, and they continue to be most affected. How should we mitigate?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/five-years-on-have-we-learned-the-lessons-of-lockdown/
Exclusion
‘The system just doesn’t work’: More children than ever are not in school, report finds, with more than 11 million lost days
IPPR and The Difference report on pupil absence looks at ‘invisible’ moves including off-rolling and managed moves
Pupil absence
Severe absence reaches record high
Absence figures continue to fall, but more pupils are missing 50% of lessons (severe absence) than ever before
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/severe-absence-reaches-record-high
Inclusion
How to solve SEND? 13 sector solutions…
What did people tell the Education Select Committee about SEND and how to solve the crisis?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-solve-send-13-sector-solutions/
Bridget Phillipson: parents must ‘think differently’ on Send support for children
Education secretary tells ASCL conference that we need to step back from the current SEND system and understand what we’re trying to achieve for children and young people
Be ‘boy positive’ to tackle underachievement, schools told
Boys fall behind girls at every stage of education from nursery to doctorates. Would more male teachers help?
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/be-boy-positive-tackle-underachievement-schools-told
Group of Labour MPs seeking to steer young men away from ‘toxic influencers’
In the wake of the HEPI report on boys in education, an alliance of Labour MPs is looking to tackle toxic stereotypes of masculinity
Curriculum & assessment
The Francis review can already claim a major achievement
Becky Francis’ review built on that led by Tim Oates. That’s a very good thing, according to Tim Oates
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-francis-review-can-already-claim-a-major-achievement/
Exams volume, EBacc and ‘improving’ SATs: 14 curriculum review reforms
The interim curriculum review report has landed – here’s the 14 key things school leaders need to know …
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/exams-volume-ebacc-and-improving-sats-14-curriculum-review-reform
T-levels are a disaster – and young people are suffering because ministers won’t admit it
What should we do about T levels? Drop out rates are high and they’re not serving the pupils they’re intended for
DfE plans ‘National Centre for Arts and Music Education’
DfE has many plans: a new music centre, lots on enrichment, and a ‘task and finish group’ on digital, AI and technology. Many plans, no detail.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-national-centre-for-arts-and-music-education/
GCSEs harm our young people. Ministers should have the guts to abolish them – and start again
Simon Jenkins is disappointed that the Francis review isn’t abolishing GCSEs
Tech
How to stop the edtech dream from becoming a safeguarding nightmare
The problems of security and safeguarding are even more complex than you might think
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-stop-the-edtech-dream-from-becoming-a-safeguarding-nightmare/
Teaching unions gear up for fight with Number 10 over AI job-loss fears
The NEU is concerned that AI policy is being developed without consultation with teachers
__________
14 March
Teacher retention and recruitment
Teacher pay should rise by more than 3%, say experts
Recruitment pain will continue, pay increases could help: NFER report
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/teacher-pay-should-rise-over-three-per-cent-say-experts
Time to fulfil 6,500 teacher pledge ‘now or never’ as unfilled vacancies reach record high
There are more vacancies, bigger class sizes, more unqualified teachers, more teachers out of subject, and more teachers leaving. Something must be done
‘Now or never’ for 6,500 teacher pledge, Labour warned, as vacancies reach new high
Private school teachers taking second jobs to make ends meet
NEU’s independent schools survey shows teacher redundancies and an increase in cost-of-living pressures
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/private-school-teachers-taking-second-jobs-make-ends-meet-neu-survey
Headteachers’ gender pay gap ‘has widened to a chasm’
NAHT data shows the pay gap between female and male headteachers is the widest for 13 years
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/gender-pay-gap-for-headteachers-widens
Emma Hollis, CEO of NASBTT, talks ITTInitial teacher training - the period of academic study and time in school leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
‘Nobody should take on debt to train to be a teacher’
Inclusion
Councils spent more than £10m fighting tribunals over child special needs support
SEND tribunals cost a lot of money – but cost parents, children and the system much more than just money
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-13/councils-spent-more-than-10m-fighting-tribunals-over-special-needs-support
‘Devastating and dangerous’: Schools hit by £82m budget raid for SEND
DfE says councils can take money from school budgets to pay for the SEND crisis. So how will schools make up the shortfall?
‘Devastating and dangerous’: Schools hit by £82m budget raid for SEND
DfE told to come clean on its SEND reforms plan
Education committee chair tells DfE off for not mentioning a possible White Paper when it gave evidence to their SEND review
‘Draconian’ school policies unfairly impact ethnic minority children, MPs told
Labour MP Kim Johnson called for a public inquiry into a ‘miscarriage of justice’ in the 1970s, where many minority ethnic children were classed as educationally subnormal
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mps-labour-britain-government-caribbean-b2714064.html
Schools Bill
The schools bill will allow LAs to ensure all children can thrive
Contrary to criticism, Labour’s bill will make it possible to take the first steps towards more inclusive local responses to rising need.
The schools bill will allow LAs to ensure all children can thrive
School places
No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils
Turns out there’s been very little impact on secondary school places from the VAT on fees – despite what many predicted. (And look out for a rare use of the word ululation by a government source!)
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/10/no-exodus-to-state-sector-after-vat-added-to-private-school-fees-say-english-councils
Pupil absence
Phillipson: Schools need ‘old-fashioned graft’ to stop absence ‘damage’
Some schools aren’t doing enough to tackle pupil absence, says the Secretary of State
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/phillipson-schools-need-old-fashioned-graft-stop-absence-damageOfsted
Ofsted appoints Mark Vickers as external adviser for inclusion
Ofsted says it wants its new framework to be focused on inclusion, and to improve its inspector training
Ofsted appoints Mark Vickers as external adviser for inclusion
Sir Martyn: Inclusion must be ‘ingrained’ in school culture
Can the new Ofsted framework make schools more inclusive? HMCI thinks so
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/sir-martyn-oliver-ofsted-inclusion-ingrained-school-cultureTech
Technology ‘being weaponised’ against schools and teachers – union leader
ASCL’s president warns of the ways parents and pupils are using social media. Nearly half of teachers say students have recorded teachers or pupils without permission. 10% say that ‘deepfake’ videos have been used against teachers. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/association-of-school-and-college-leaders-technology-bridget-phillipson-schools-liverpool-b2714891.html
__________
7 March
Teacher retention and recruitment
Teachers top the list for unpaid overtime once again
3 March was the day this year when the average person working unpaid overtime in the UK effectively stopped working for free. Teachers top the list. The TUC estimates that 38% of those working education work unpaid hours. I assume this includes people other than teachers, since pretty much every teacher ever works unpaid hours.
https://www.headteacher-update.com/content/news/teachers-top-list-for-unpaid-overtime-once-again
Teacher shortage limiting school subjects on offer
Wales’ chief inspector points to recruitment and retention problems in Wales, which weaken teaching and reduce choice for pupils.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c234g343r5jo
Special school leaders fear QTS plan could worsen recruitment crisis
There are many reasons why Special Schools have more unqualified teachers. Government needs to understand their needs.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/special-school-leaders-fear-qts-plan-could-worsen-recruitment-crisis/
Teachers consulted on 2.8% pay rise and potential strike action
NEU launches an indicative ballot on pay to judge members’ attitude to possible strike action, in the run up to Easter conference
English academy chain to improve conditions for Jamaican teachers after strike threat
Changes at Harris Federation ensure that teachers ‘feel valued as an addition to the British workforce’
Ofsted
Ofsted: Inspections could have shifted focus away from maths
Ofsted’s evaluation of its current framework might have shifted the focus in schools towards reading, and other interesting findings on the way inspection impacts on teachers’ actions
More than a thousand complaints made after Ofsted school visits
More than 1000 complaints were made after inspections over the last 3 years. Only 17 have been upheld (and 216 partially upheld). Do we need an independent complaints process? Er, yes!
Behaviour
Behaviour overtakes workload as a top concern for primary teachers
The top three concerns for primary teachers (from Teacher Tapp) are funding, behaviour, workload. And Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs are a big part of the behaviour worry.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/primary/behaviour-overtakes-workload-top-concern-primary-teachers
Concern as behaviour hubs ‘disband’ with no replacement
How should the government support schools to manage difficult behaviour? And does ‘behaviour tsar’ Tom Bennett’s contract end this month?
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/concern-behaviour-hubs-disband-no-replacement
Tech
Gen-Z vows to ban their children from using social media as half of 16 to 24-year-olds admit they are annoyed with their usage when they were younger
The organisations ‘More in Common’ and The New Britain Project find that young people regret the time they spent on their devices
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14471321/Gen-Z-vows-ban-children-using-social-media.html
Children report ‘growing sense of unease’ online
In a survey of 1,054 9-16 year olds, 67% report having experienced harm online. While this hasn’t changed since last year, children and their parents say their experiences are more upsetting and frightening this year.
https://www.headteacher-update.com/content/news/children-report-growing-sense-of-unease-online
Humanities teaching will have to adapt to AI
From the letters page: AI, like pocket calculators before it, will always suffer from ‘Garbage in garbage out’. Humans will always be more, well, human.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/04/humanities-teaching-will-have-to-adapt-to-ai
How are school leaders navigating the AI revolution?
School leaders ‘cautiously embrace’ AI, but there’s much to learn
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/how-are-school-leaders-navigating-the-ai-revolution/
Safer phones bill aimed at young teens watered down after minister opposition
MPs are likely to agree to new proposals calling for research into addictive social media, rather than bolder moves to exclude teenagers from algorithms or even banning the sale of smartphones to those under 16. Not everyone is happy. But it’s a step in the right direction.
Inclusion
Investigation: How EHCPs are failing our most vulnerable children
England’s £11bn budget for high needs is being spent (in part) on fidget spinners, learning stylesTheories relating to the idea that individuals learn best in different ways and teaching should be tailored to their learning styles – these have been widely debunked by research and other ineffective interventions
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/investigation-how-ehcps-are-failing-our-most-vulnerable-children/
Feature: The case for a SEND evidence ‘custodian’
Influential people call for a ‘NICE-style’ body to consider the best ways to fund SEND provision
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/feature-the-case-for-a-send-evidence-custodian/
Ministers plan major changes to Send education in England
Government is preparing a White Paper on SEND to address the crisis – available ‘in late spring’
Special schools recruit fewer teachers from training – report
More could be done to improve the flow of qualified teachers from ITT to special schools
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/special-schools-recruit-fewer-teachers-from-training-report/
Career-limiting sterotypes start young. We must start younger
How Ark schools are tackling gender stereoptyping in careers for primary school pupils
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/career-limiting-sterotypes-start-young-we-must-start-younger/
Pupil absence
DfE attendance tsar urges schools to focus on occasional absentees
Rob Tarn tells school leaders they can improve attendance by focusing on those who attend ‘nearly all of the time’
Disadvantage
Migrants and refugee families in the UK denied childcare funding, report finds
Having ‘No recourse to public funds’ means that children of migrant and refugee families can’t access free early years education, and pushes them ‘deeper into poverty’.
Early years: Teachers to be trained to supervise toothbrushing
As £11m is set aside to train early years teachers in deprived areas to supervise toothbrushing, DfE is warned not to keep expecting schools to solve all society’s problems. Perhaps we should invest in NHS dentistry…
Free school meals data now ‘less useful for research’, warns EPI
Free School Meal data doesn’t reliably identify disadvantaged pupils, meaning policies based on it aren’t targeted well enough to make a difference. We need a rethink.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/free-school-meals-data-now-less-useful-for-research-warns-epi /
Snap, crackle and flop? Breakfast clubs have rocky launch
Six in seven early adopter schools already have some form of breakfast club, and worry that the new scheme will lose them money
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/snap-crackle-and-flop-breakfast-clubs-have-rocky-launch/
Curriculum & qualifications
Lower school leaving age below 16, say Scottish Tories
Should children be allowed to leave school at 14? Why aren’t schools able to cater for their needs? Or do the Tories ‘want to see working-class children leave school at 14, and leave academic pursuits to middle and upper classes’?
‘Worse than the Tories’: cultural figures question Labour plans for arts in schools
Some say Labour has ‘lost the plot’, and will sideline the arts because ‘they don’t understand them’
Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty launch numeracy charity
The Richmond Project aims to tackle numeracy problems and will help children struggling at school as well as adults who never mastered basic maths.
Covid
Lots of research shows that schools’ efforts to halt transmission of Covid (including those delightful covid ‘bubbles’) were effective.
Parents
Doctors back total ban on smacking children in England
Should the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill include a ban on smacking in England? Leading doctors say so, saying there is no evidence it has any positive effect on children’s wellbeing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q4x9d9xgpo
Bog standard? Study seeks most effective toilet training methods
The age at which children in the West are toilet trained is rising. UCL is looking to find the best methods.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/04/most-effective-toilet-training-methods-study
More than 4 in 5 heads suffer abuse from parents
Abuse from parents is increasing says NAHT, including online, verbal and physical abuse
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/school-leaders-headteachers-suffer-abuse-from-parents
The dogma of ‘Britain’s Strictest Headmistress’ is a con as old as time – gentle parenting produces happier kids
‘Children are , it turns out, frustratingly individual. In this sense, one might almost compare them to human beings.’
People
Matt Wrack tipped for NASUWT general secretary
The Union’s Executive has nominated the ex-Fire Brigade Union General Secretary as its preferred candidate, even though he has no education expertise. He’s a close mate of Daniel Kebede (NEU). This isn’t the end of the story though – expect disquiet.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/matt-wrack-tipped-for-nasuwt-general-secretary/
__________
28 February
Disadvantage
Number of young people not in work or education hits 11-year high
More young people were not in work, education or training at the end of 2024 than at any point in the past 11 years, new data suggests.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ymvnrn0deo
Claiming EMA harmed earnings, says IFS report
Weekly payments ‘enticed’ disadvantaged students away from more lucrative work based training, researchers find.
https://feweek.co.uk/claiming-ema-harmed-earnings-says-ifs-report/
Research on EMA support has defied common sense
Blunkett says his Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) helped disadvantaged students stay in education and hits back at IfS research.
https://feweek.co.uk/research-on-ema-support-has-defied-common-sense/
Medical schools accepting students with low grades to boost ‘diversity’ among doctors, report reveals
Research by the Sutton Trust found some courses are taking students with BBC grades, rather than the standard AAA or above.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14440401/Medical-schools-accepting-students-low-grades.html
Only 5% of students in medical schools from lowest socio-economic group – study
Medical schools should make more ambitious use of contextual offers to widen access, a charity has urged.
Auto-enrol eligible pupils for free school meals, say MPs
Children from poor households should be enrolled for free school meals automatically to prevent thousands going hungry, a report by MPs has found.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2344p7nz05o
Attainment gap widens in Scottish schools
The attainment gap between Scotland’s richest and poorest school pupils increased last year, according to new figures.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy05880r55ko
Schools should be held to account for pupil movements
Proposals to better monitor pupil movements are welcome, but we must identify schools who abuse the practice and hold them to account.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-schools-bill-must-do-more-on-pupil-movement-oversight/
Breakfast clubs
Free breakfast clubs announced for 750 schools in England – see the full list
The schools are expected to offer a free breakfast to all pupils and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/schools-free-breakfast-clubs-england-b2703362.html
School breakfast clubs in England ‘will be used to justify keeping the two-child benefits cap’
As the education secretary announces the first primary schools to offer free breakfasts, Labour MPs question the commitment to fighting poverty.
Pupil absence
Nearly 1 in 3 children ‘refused to go to school in past year’
Top reasons for absence were children not enjoying school, having a mental health problem or a special educational need, and being bullied, finds parent poll.
‘Crisis of school absenteeism’ affecting poorer pupils the most, new data suggests
Secondary school students still dealing with the impacts of the pandemic, charities warn.
Exclusion
Schools told to do more to keep pupils out of youth justice system
Children’s commissioner says schools should be required to outline how sanctions like suspensions will trigger additional support.
Excluded children: Councils failing in duty to find places
Councils across the country are routinely failing in their legal duty to provide full-time education for excluded pupils within six days.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-failing-duty-places-excluded-children-pupils-exclusions/
Curriculum & qualifications
Ministers urged to ensure climate change is taught across curriculum
Experts say teachers want more professional development support to teach climate change and sustainability.
Oxbridge academics lead campaign to embed climate change into all school subjects as part of Labour’s curriculum review
Oxbridge academics are leading a campaign to embed climate change into all school subjects as part of Labour’s curriculum review.
Primary school PE training ‘woefully inadequate’, MPs told
The chief executive of Youth Sport Trust calls for PE to become a core subject to ‘drive up standards’ and improve fitness.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/primary-school-pe-training-woefully-inadequate-mps-told
Podcasts in class could tackle reading ‘crisis’
Children’s enjoyment of listening to audio has now surpassed that of reading, finds survey.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/podcasts-could-tackle-reading-crisis
1,500 schools sought for EEF maths and writing trials
11 research projects will test approaches aimed at boosting maths, writing, communication and language.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/1500-schools-sought-for-eef-maths-and-writing-trials/
OCR pauses geography GCSE changes amid ‘unanswered questions’ about future of exams
Exam board believes it is ‘wise to wait’ for the outcome of the curriculum and assessment review.
Play
Don’t withdraw breaktime to punish poor behaviour, schools told
Interim report from Raising the Nation Play Commission proposes that Ofsted assesses schools on playtime length, which would ‘reward schools that value play highly’.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/primary/dont-withdraw-breaktime-punish-poor-behaviour-schools-told
SEND
SEND: £740m funding won’t tackle main challenges, MPs told
The Commons Education Committee held a session today on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Here are six things MPs were told.
Call to ‘reset’ SEND funding so schools can meet local needs
Confederation of School Trusts sets out 10 priorities for a new special educational needs and disabilities system.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/cst-call-reset-send-funding-schools-can-meet-local-needs
Audit Scotland publishes ‘damning’ report on support for ASN pupils
There’s an ‘urgent need for improvement’, says the watchdog – as it questions whether schools can cope with the almost eight-fold increase in additional support needs pupils.
Funding
Almost half of England’s councils ‘could face bankruptcy over £4.6bn deficit’
Damning National Audit Office report says action is needed to address deficit accumulated under Tory-era policy.
Teacher retention and recruitment
DfE opens re-accreditation round for teacher training providers
Move comes after over a quarter of ITT providers lost their accreditation in the government’s bruising market review.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-opens-re-accreditation-round-for-former-teacher-training-providers/
DfE data under-states teacher vacancies in alternative provision
Government urged to separate data for special schools and AP in official statistics, amid warning it masks ‘differences’ between sectors.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-data-under-states-teacher-vacancies-in-alternative-provision/
Special schools employ more teachers without QTS
Special schools face worse teacher shortages, particularly in alternative provision, research shows.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/special-schools-employ-more-teachers-without-qts
Teachers strike over schools’ plans for classes of 30
Four council-maintained secondary schools in London closed classes this week when teachers walked out on strike over plans to increase class sizes up to 30.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/haringey-teachers-strike-over-schools-plans-for-classes-of-30/
Ofsted
Ofsted to trial inspection proposals with 240 ‘visits’
Watchdog sets out plans to test its proposed approach to inspection.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-trial-inspection-proposals-with-240-visits/
What way to better inspections? Consult our A to Z
Our alternative consultation on school inspection reform aims to map out a better route to a better destination than Ofsted offers.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/what-way-to-better-inspections-consult-our-a-to-z/
__________
21 February
ITT
Do we need a new word to define teacher training?
Language matters, which is why we are launching a working party to define what is unique about the teaching of teachers, writes Teacher Development Trust CEO Gareth Conyard.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/do-we-need-a-new-word-to-define-teacher-training
Curriculum and assessment
What do we mean when we say we want ‘high standards for all’?
Only an informed debate using shared language will help us deliver the inclusive education system we all want.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/what-do-we-mean-when-we-say-we-want-high-standards-for-all/
Curriculum review urged to look at employment skills
The development of essential employment skills, starting from the early years, is key to meeting future workforce needs, says research report.
DfE warned about ‘negative’ impact of Oak National Academy
The British Educational Suppliers Association raises concerns with a DfE review about the creation of Oak National Academy as a government resources quango.
Charity warns music education facing ‘tragic’ decline
A charity is warning music education is declining at such a rate it is at risk of “disappearing” entirely.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0r137j9n6o
Phillipson to defy unions and keep primary phonics and maths tests
The education secretary is expected to say that tests for children as young as five provide crucial information about their progress to schools and parents.
AI
Schools lack expertise in AI, leaders warn
Less than 10 per cent of school leaders have an agreed strategy for use of artificial intelligence, research shows.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/schools-lack-knowledge-about-AI
Ofsted
Ofsted bonus gender pay gap widens ‘significantly’
Watchdog report highlights impact of ‘affordability pressures’ on number of bonuses paid last year.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-bonus-gender-pay-gap-widens-significantly
How we’ll help the sector deliver its ambition of inclusion
Our proposals put inclusion for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people and those with SEND at the heart of Ofsted’s framework.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/how-well-help-the-sector-deliver-its-ambition-of-inclusion/
Heads’ leaders defend organised opposition to Ofsted plans
In response to a school leaders’ union producing a template response to the Ofsted consultation, the watchdog says it wants to hear the views of individuals instead.
SEND
Half of councils face insolvency over £5bn SEND deficit ticking timebomb
Survey of councils suggests over half will fail to break even if a measure keeping deficits off their books ends as planned.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/half-of-councils-face-insolvency-over-5bn-send-deficit-ticking-timebomb/
Unaccredited online schools cost more than £400k
Children with complex needs are being sent to unaccredited online schools at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clye4396wdxo
Pupil attendance
Post-Covid we need to say why school matters
It’s no wonder attendance is down after children were told that lessons by Zoom would do.
https://www.thetimes.com/article/43249d74-5ed9-4b0f-a0e7-6823e20f6be0
9 out of 10 areas with highest absence are in the North
A coalition of northern-based charities and organisations calls on the government to tackle the root causes of pupil absence.
Ofsted head says parents working from home ‘makes children feel school is optional’
Attendance rates are suffering because children whose parents work from home feel going to school is optional, the head of Ofsted has reportedly claimed.
Behaviour
‘We must stop mollycoddling kids’ says Saturday detentions head teacher
Head teacher Alun Ebenezer is no stranger to headlines about his hard-line approach to discipline.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxdkq51ywo
University
Wales: Less than a third of 18-year-olds apply for uni
Wales will be at an “economic disadvantage” to other UK nations if it doesn’t increase the number of students going to university, according to the sector.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjr8ewdy9n4o
Private school VAT
‘Growing trend’ of private school parents seeking to move abroad
Perception of ‘uncertainty and instability’ is fuelling interest in education outside the UK, suggests a survey report from international schools group GEMS Education.
People
Oak National Academy names interim CEO
Oak co-founder John Roberts set to replace Matt Hood as interim CEO.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/oak-national-academy-names-interim-ceo/
Chess
Schools call on ministers to extend chess funding
Scheme to encourage pupils in disadvantaged areas to take up chess has been a great success, schools say.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/primary/schools-urge-dfe-to-extend-funding-for-chess
__________
14 February
Schools Bill
Academy freedom reforms won’t affect us, say 60% of CEOs
Findings from a survey of 120 trust bosses, running around 1,000 schools, seem to challenge the narrative around Labour’s reforms.
Holiday activities and food programme funding extended
However, further funding will be decided in the upcoming Spending Review, education minister Stephen Morgan has confirmed.
Bill could stop good schools expanding, ministers warned
Tory MPs raise concerns about plans to allow the Office of the Schools Adjudicator to set a school’s pupil admission number after a complaint is upheld.
Lord Ashcroft asks: Why is Labour on a mission to destroy schools with its ‘soft bigotry of low expectations’?
Labour’s education reforms could put 16,000 teaching jobs at risk, the Conservatives have warned.
More students are set to miss out on their first choice school under Labour’s new education reforms, the government has admitted.
Ofsted
Ofsted framework will lead to ‘army of expensive consultants’
The Headteachers’ Roundtable has also expressed concerns that inclusion and SEND are ‘afterthoughts’ in Ofsted’s proposed inspection framework.
‘Ofsted has shown an institutional disinterest in inclusion’
Ofsted’s proposed reforms fall woefully short of the sea change needed when it comes to inclusion, argue Baroness Longfield and Jonny Uttley.
Leaders give new Ofsted inspection toolkits the red card
‘The draft grade descriptors look as though they have been cobbled together with insufficient consideration of how they will play out during inspections’.
School holidays
Oliver: Time to rethink length of summer holidays
Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver warns pupils can be ‘dysregulated’ after long summer break.
School improvement
RISE teams target 32 schools in ‘urgent’ need
The new regional school improvement programme will grow in April with the appointment of 50 new advisers, says DfE.
Who are the ‘RISE’ improvement advisers and what will they do?
The DfE gives us the low-down on its new regional improvement teams.
Who are the ‘stuck’ schools in line for £100k support?
Most are already academies, and a third won’t be eligible because of recent ‘structural change’.
Teacher retention
Harden rules on violence against teachers, ministers told
Schools should have to report violence against staff to police, say Tories in bill debate – but Labour says they can already do this.
Cash-strapped schools plan to lay off teachers in blow to Labour’s promise
Despite government pledge to recruit 6,500 new teachers, headteachers are under renewed pressure to avoid going into deficit.
AI to be used in schools to reduce teaching workload
The Government is funding the creation of a tool that can help test six and seven year-olds’ reading skills.
Curriculum
Ministers have been warned against taking ‘risks’ with their controversial curriculum review after new research found the current system serves most pupils well.
Nearly three in five students want more education on budgeting at school – poll
A think tank report has called for pupils to be given more education on financial planning at school or college.
Arts teacher shortages hit deprived schools twice as hard
Nearly half of schools in the most disadvantaged areas are unable to offer one of the arts subjects owing to teacher shortages, poll finds.
Exams
Ofqual ‘ready to take action’ over extra exam time gap
Sir Ian Bauckham, speaking to Tes after being confirmed as Ofqual’s permanent chief regulator, highlights possible unfairness in students being awarded extra time in exams.
Exclusions
Rate of suspensions and exclusions may have peaked, data finds
Data published by FFT Datalab found that the number of suspensions and exclusions so far this academic year may be beginning to slow.
Behaviour
Behaviour improving says Ofsted, but teachers beg to differ
Number of schools being marked down on behaviour by Ofsted has plunged by more than half since Covid.
SEND
‘Markedly’ fewer EHCPs in highly academised areas
Under-recognition of SEND is also more likely for girls with emotional disorders and persistent absentees, research finds.
Absent and excluded kids ‘should be assessed for SEND’
EPI report sets out 7 policy recommendations to tackle special needs ‘postcode lottery’.
Successful special educational needs complaints in England quadruple in four years
Rising demand and ballooning council deficits have left a threadbare service – and children and parents in crisis.
Knife crime
The survey also shows that despite recent high-profile knife attacks in UK secondary schools, only 15% of the teachers in England we polled said they had received any formal training or guidance on how to deal with pupils with knives.
Schools must not become battleground – child envoy
Schools should not be turned into a “battleground” around potential safety measures, the key figure overseeing child rights in Wales has said.
Safeguarding
Raise age limits for social media, say primary teachers
Teachers want social media platforms to make safety controls easier to use and children’s access to be linked to parent or carer accounts.
Concerns raised about Northern Ireland classroom assistants working without security checks
Concerns have been raised about the number of classroom assistants in Northern Ireland who have been working without the appropriate background checks.
Conspiracy theories
3 ways to tackle conspiracy theories in the classroom
We need to give teachers the knowledge and confidence to counter the growing rise in conspiracy theory beliefs among young people, a new report says.
Mental health
Some mental health schemes actually ‘increased emotional difficulties’, finds landmark trial
Four out of five interventions tested in government-funded trial led to ‘adverse’ or ‘negative’ effects on some pupils.
People
‘Lower your tone’: The DfE’s account of THAT Birbalsingh meeting
Government’s minutes claim education secretary had to ask head to ‘allow me to finish my sentences’, amid repeated interruptions.
__________
7 February
Ofsted
Ofsted school report cards: The 11 key proposals
From ‘exemplary’ to ditched deep dives: everything schools need to know about Ofsted’s big inspection shake-up.
Interview: Sir Martyn Oliver defends report card plan
In an interview with Tes, Ofsted’s chief inspector says the watchdog’s plans will provide a fairer approach to school inspections.
Report card reforms run critical reliability risks
Introducing a new school grading system also brings new risks that outcomes won’t reliably measure school quality.
More than 9 in 10 heads reject Ofsted’s report card plan
The NAHT urges Ofsted to rethink its plans after its snap poll shows an overwhelming rejection from school leaders.
Just 6% of teachers ‘positive’ about Ofsted proposals, shows poll
Ofsted has launched a consultation on plans to reform its inspection framework and to assess schools using new ‘report cards’.
Ofsted’s school report cards could be ‘harder’ for parents to use, MPs told
Sam Freedman, who worked as a policy adviser to former education secretary Michael Gove, said he had ‘a lot of worries’ about the proposals.
Education Secretary says she’s ‘delighted’ about furious ‘debate’ over Labour’s schools upheaval – amid fresh anger at new ‘Nandos-style’ Ofsted ratings
The Education Secretary said she is ‘delighted’ Labour’s major school upheaval has got everyone worked up – as she faced fresh criticism over a new ‘Nandos-style’ Ofsted rating system.
‘No evidence’ that Ofsted reforms will improve current system – Tories
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the proposed report cards system will be ‘slower and weaker’.
Phillipson: Ofsted ratings are too vague; I’m making them more demanding
Education Secretary announces reforms to grading scheme that currently rates 90pc of schools in England as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
New Ofsted report cards met by fierce backlash as it scraps single-word judgments
Headteacher Ruth Perry’s sister said the proposals are a ‘rehash’ of the ‘dangerous’ system currently in place.
One teacher’s suicide should not lead to a loss of standards in education
We should not cover up for a poorly-performing school in case one or more school leaders cannot cope.
School accountability &/or improvement
New accountability regime: RISE, ‘stuck’ schools and profiles explained
The 8 key new policies school leaders need to know about from the government’s proposed accountability reforms.
Bridget Phillipson’s standards ‘vision’ speech in full
Education secretary pledges a ‘new era on school standards’ as government launches accountability reform consultation.
Stuck school intervention plan ‘complete nonsense’, say leaders
Headteachers’ leaders warn DfE plans could see schools academised or rebrokered despite showing improvement across multiple areas.
DfE reveals first RISE advisers
The Department for Education has released the names of 20 advisers working in new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams.
Schools Bill
‘The schools bill is silent on the right for a safe place to work’
Shadow minister for education Neil O’Brien explains why the Conservatives believe several changes are needed to legislation to truly help teachers.
Campaigners warn of schools bill’s ‘huge new powers’
So-called ‘Henry VIII powers’ will grant education secretary to amend or repeat other legislation with ‘minimal scrutiny’.
Inclusion
Revealed: the scale of the SEND crisis in numbers
The huge shortfall in funding for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is clear. But how many children now need support – and how has this figure increased in recent years? Tes analyses the latest DfE data.
Schools need more help with rise in EAL pupils, say experts
Report says government should bring back national statutory tests for English proficiency, to help teachers and pupils.
Delay in start of sign language GCSE is a ‘disgrace’
The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), which has been campaigning for the GCSE for over a decade, says “there’s no reason” why the qualification should not be available now.
Scotland: Decade of PEF impact to be revealed in the spring
The Pupil Equity Fund – designed to help close the ‘poverty-related attainment gap’ – should continue beyond 2026 elections, says education secretary, but she suggests changes will be needed.
Mental health
Pupil absence
Bridget Phillipson warns parents against ‘casual attitude’ to school attendance
Education secretary launches ‘new era of school standards’ in England while defending Ofsted inspection changes.
February 4 marked last day of school for severely absent students
Tuesday, February 4, was the last day of the school year for 158,000 children and young people who are classified as severely absent.
Mobile phones
Landmark study reveals the effect of school phone bans
The study maps students’ grades, sleep and exercise habits – and how they differ with phone use.
Knife crime
Call for security guards at school gates after stabbing
The onus to do a daily check for knives in the bag of a 14-year-old girl convicted of attempted murder should not have been put on her father, Plaid Cymru’s education spokesperson has said.
Exclusion for knives ‘too simple’, says Estyn chief
Understanding why children bring knives into school is better than a blanket exclusion policy, the chief inspector of Welsh education inspectorate Estyn has said.
Reading & writing
Northern Ireland reviews controversial teaching method after failings in Wales and Scotland
Last year ITV News revealed ‘cueing’ is not only commonplace in schools in Wales, but is regularly praised by school inspectors.
DfE to set out ‘common approach’ to teaching writing
Half of a £2m DfE funding pot is set aside for secondaries to buy resources for struggling readers.
Labour vision
Phillipson ‘concerned’ about volume of parent complaints
Education secretary voices worries about parent complaints in response to questions from school leaders and teachers during a live webinar this afternoon.
Labour’s standards tightrope: Can they fix schools without results slipping?
England may have risen up the international rankings, but pupils are less happy, behaviour is worse and more children skip school. Can government improve wellbeing without torpedoing standards?
Britain’s strictest headteacher accuses Labour education secretary Bridget Phillipson of being a ‘Marxist’ who ‘hates academies’
The woman nicknamed Britain’s strictest headteacher has accused Bridget Phillipson of being a ‘Marxist’ who ‘hates academies’.
Defamation
Cease and desist: Trust supports staff to sue online trolls
Provision for staff sickness cover will be broadened to cover defamation.
Deficits
Nearly three in five academy trusts now have in-year deficits, report suggests
Academy leaders said rising staff costs and growing demand for Send provision are financial challenges.
Pay
NI teachers reject pay offer of 5.5%
The majority of teachers in Northern Ireland have rejected a 5.5% pay offer for 2024/25 and are set to take action short of strike.
People
Labour reformer among four appointed to DfE board
Naomi Eisenstadt, Steve Crocker, Rebecca George and Margaret Casely-Hayford will each earn £15,000 for around 24 days’ work per year.
__________
31 January
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Fact check: Does the schools bill criticism really add up?
Government is under fire for the academy elements of its schools bill. But does the evidence back up those concerns?
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/fact-check-does-the-schools-bill-criticism-really-add-up/
Revealed: The true impact of the schools bill
DfE admits reforms could limit ability of popular schools to grow and even land trustees in court.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-the-true-impact-of-the-schools-bill/
DfE sets out how it will scrap teacher pay ‘ceiling’
The government has published its tabled amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-sets-out-how-it-will-scrap-teacher-pay-ceiling
Who is criticising Labour’s new education bill and why
Labour’s new education bill has faced criticism from various stakeholders, including educational charities and policy experts, who argue that it may inadvertently stifle innovation in schools.
Conservative law to ban phones in schools is ‘gimmick’, Education Secretary says
Bridget Phillipson said a Tory amendment to the schools Bill is unnecessary as she defended removing automatic academisation of failing schools.
Ofsted
Ofsted report cards ‘rushed and botched’, say insiders
Watchdog whistleblowers say planned consultation is a ‘sham’ and reforms have been ‘cobbled together at ridiculous speed’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-report-cards-rushed-and-botched-say-insiders/
Attendance
Pupil absence: Parent fines for term-time holidays increase
Heads’ leaders call on the government to tackle ‘exorbitant prices’ charged by the travel industry during school holidays.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/pupil-absence-parent-fines-term-time-holidays-increase
Two thirds of primary school headteachers say Labour’s free breakfast clubs will have no impact on attendance
Nearly two out of three primary school heads say the Government’s free breakfast clubs will have no impact on attendance, a new poll has found.
Exclusions
Ethnicity not key factor in England school exclusions, study finds
Exclusive: Researchers say poverty and special educational needs are main reason – but equality campaigners urge caution.
Racism
The shocking rise of racism in primary schools
Data on suspensions in primary reveals a huge increase in those issued for racist abuse – a problem that sector leaders fear is only getting worse.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/primary/shocking-rise-racism-primary-schools
Poverty
More children will come to school hungry, warns poverty report
The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on pupils’ ability to learn is highlighted in a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/child-poverty-report-warns-of-more-hungry-pupils-at-school
Mental health
What’s really going on with teenage girls?
There is a gender divide when it comes to students’ mental health, with girls more likely to experience challenges.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/secondary/teenage-girls-mental-health
Disaffection
Children joined riots for the ‘thrill’, report says
Children who took part in riots last summer were primarily driven by curiosity and the “thrill of the moment”, rather than far-right ideology and social media misinformation, the children’s commissioner for England has said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge72gxryqpo
Early years
Some children starting school unable to climb staircase, finds England and Wales teacher survey
A survey of teachers in England and Wales has revealed that some children are beginning school without the physical ability to climb stairs.
DfE announces new early years training routes
Ministers unveil a three-year early years teacher degree apprenticeship and a new experience-based training route.
Funding
Per-pupil funding set to rise
Experts have repeatedly warned schools will be forced to make cuts next year as cost rises outstrip funding.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/per-pupil-funding-set-to-rise
Curriculum & qualifications
Launch natural history GCSE in England now, campaigners urge Labour
Environmentalists say new course could be delayed until 2030 because it is viewed as Conservative party initiative.
Colleges
MPs to investigate ‘new way of doing FE’
New inquiry will cover staff pay, student mental health support, apprenticeships and funding.
https://feweek.co.uk/mps-to-investigate-new-way-of-doing-fe/
Profile
Sarah Smith, Labour MP and opportunity mission champion
‘Our priority is happier children’.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/sarah-smith-labour-mp-and-opportunity-mission-champion/
__________
24 January
AI revolution
AI ‘biggest thing to hit education in 100 years’, historian says
Phillipson’s AI ‘revolution’: What schools need to know
Mandatory assistive tech training for all new teachers from 2025
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Labour’s school reforms ‘setting back a generation’ of children and erasing gains made over 20 years warns ex-education secretary Michael Gove
Britain’s strictest headteacher says Labour education secretary Bridget Phillipson is showing ‘her Marxist outlook in every decision she’s making’
Where is Starmer’s school improvement ‘vision’?
Catherine McKinnell: Why we propose to amend the schools bill
Headteachers voice support for ‘imperfect’ schools bill
Kemi Badenoch warns Labour’s curbs on academy schools is ‘a tragedy in the making’
Government’s education reforms could be ‘significant backward step’ for pupils
Government will amend schools bill over academy teacher pay
SEND
DfE names 19 inclusion advisers
Gibb: ‘We have let down thousands of SEND children’
‘Umbrella’ SEND label is ‘misleading’, says inclusion tsar
Mental health
‘Significant rise’ in children admitted to acute wards for mental health issues
Prevent
School Prevent referrals rise – but fewer get support
Accountability
Ofsted head: Inspectors did nothing wrong in Ruth Perry suicide case
Could this be the model for MAT inspection?
Measure pupil wellbeing, DfE told
Exams
End the Ed Psych swizz and let kids have all the exam time they need
Curriculum
Schools teaching English and maths for 12 hours a week, leaving 8.5 hours for everything else
School ‘choice’
More than one in four parents admit to ‘lying’ and using underhand tactics to get their children into their preferred school, poll reveals
Pupil absence
Higher fines fail to stem high pupil absence rates
Breakfast clubs won’t improve attendance, say most heads
Thought-leadership
Have we got the right people in charge of education reviews?
Why the ‘human capital theory’ era of education is over
Children
Revealed: The favourite slang word of UK children – and it may leave many parents baffled
__________
13-17 January
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Phillipson: ‘Floor but no ceiling’ on teacher pay
Amend schools bill to guarantee no ceiling on pay, Phillipson told
Children’s wellbeing and schools bill: Committee calls for evidence
Labour policy
Phillipson’s first education committee: 8 things we learned
The key figures behind Bridget Phillipson’s education plans
Labour is treating the white working class with contempt
Retention and recruitment
I’m still unqualified after ten years. Here’s why
‘I earn a fraction of my headteacher’s salary but I don’t miss the 11-hour days and bureaucracy’
CPD
Labour cost-cutting spree now hits STEM
The 5 key priorities for the NPQ and ECF reviews
This year is make or break for the CPD golden thread
SEND
Revealed: Ministers’ ‘staggering’ absence from SEND schools
‘No urgency’ in DfE to tackle SEND ‘emergency’, MPs warn
Ofsted to meet parents of Send children to understand why they are not in school
MPs say fix Send system or face ‘lost generation’
Can 2025 bring a radical rethink of how we consider SEND?
What do school leaders think will solve the SEND crisis?
Ofsted
Heads urge Ofsted to delay new inspections until 2026
Lack of trust in Ofsted ‘almost irreversible’
Ofsted system glitch wiped evidence during almost 200 inspections
Concern as Ofsted fails to name schools trialling report cards
Behaviour
£10m behaviour hubs to end – but what next?
Disadvantage
Disadvantage gap: 9 things DfE told MPs
AI
Government invests £1m in AI tools to support teacher feedback and marking
AI skills: Building a workforce for the future
People
Baroness Anne Longfield: ‘I felt a responsibility to be brave’
Sir Kevan Collins to lead DfE board
__________
10 January
Bills
Top minister tells Tories ‘put up or shut up’ ahead of grooming gang vote
Schools bill ‘won’t cut pay’, but will restore academies’ ‘core purpose’
Labour’s ‘act of vandalism’ bill risks pay cuts for 20k teachers, claim Tories
Bid to halt safeguarding bill sickening, says Phillipson
Schools bill is ‘educational vandalism’, say Tories
‘Labour has no clear vision for improving education’
Failure to report child sex abuse to be made a crime
Curriculum
Labour scraps computing hubs, with languages scheme scaled back
‘Less vital’ curriculum areas to be ‘combed back’, says Francis
Only 1 in 4 young adults got financial education at school, study shows
Music education
Banging the drum for music education: the UK school run with an orchestra
Skills and qualifications
Warning of ‘skills chasm’ amid huge UK regional divide in qualifications
Accountability & Ofsted
Tell schools how they’re being judged on progress, DfE warned
Martyn Oliver on Ofsted reform: 8 things we learned
Poverty
UK charity steps up campaign against child hygiene poverty
Covid
Children ‘dropped down the agenda’ during pandemic
Mental Health
Child mental health crisis: Better resilience is the solution, say experts
Absence
Small drop in absence ‘but still a long way to go’
Safeguarding
‘An invidious position’: the safeguarding disconnect affecting children and teachers
Funding
Rising SEND costs will ‘wipe out’ school savings, IFS warns
‘We can’t go on like this’: Costs will outstrip school funding rises (again), says IFS
Final round of trust growth funding falls £18m short of requests
School buildings
Ninety per cent of schools hit by crumbling concrete scandal have not had RAAC removed
Pay
NEU to launch indicative ballot over 2.8% pay rise recommendation
Sixth form college teachers to stage three more days of strikes in pay dispute
Early years
Therapy dogs
__________
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