27 February

Schools White Paper

Schools white paper: The key schools policies

Fair banding transparency, a crackdown on off-rolling and calls for all schools to be in trusts set out in landmark document.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-white-paper-the-key-schools-policies/

Schools white paper: The key SEND reform policies

DfE documents finally flesh out proposed ‘layered’ approach.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-white-paper-the-key-send-reform-policies/

Schools White Paper: the sector reacts

What do leaders and experts across the schools sector make of the government’s new plans for education?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/what-schools-think-of-white-paper

The white paper is ambitious, but its success hinges on the unknown details

Parents will need reassurance that tiered support and reforms to EHCPs do not simply become a new set of hoops to jump through.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-white-paper-is-ambitious-but-its-success-hinges-on-the-unknown-details/

Schools in ‘eye of the storm’ of SEND complaints

Schools will have a legal duty to create digital individual support plans for all children with additional needs.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-in-eye-of-the-storm-of-send-complaints/

Can Labour put all schools into trusts?

The government’s schools White Paper sets out a goal for full academisation – but Tes analysis suggests that it would take decades to turn this into reality.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/can-labour-turn-all-schools-into-academies-mats

Funding

White paper: £1.6bn for mainstream inclusion, £1.8bn for external support

But funding has to last three years and it’s unclear what will happen once it runs out.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/white-paper-1-6bn-for-mainstream-inclusion-1-8bn-for-external-support/

Starmer’s classroom class war: Fury at plan to means test funding based on parental income

Labour has been accused of taking its class warfare into schools with plans to means test funding based on parental income, in a move that could penalise hard working families.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15583945/Labour-class-warfare-accusation-funding-parental-income.html

Inclusion

DfE reveals £4bn SEND reform spending plan

Schools will get access to £1.6bn inclusion funding and ‘Experts at Hand’ as part of the government’s long-awaited SEND reforms.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-announces-send-reform-spending-plan

The impact of Send changes in England: four likely scenarios for children

Different situations in which pupils could be affected by the new special educational needs and disabilities system.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/23/send-changes-impact-england-scenarios-children

Send plan for England gets cautious welcome amid workload concerns

Education leaders and MPs say government needs to be careful about mental health impact on leaders and teachers in already overstretched sector.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/24/send-plan-for-england-gets-cautious-welcome-amid-workload-concerns

Teacher retention and recruitment

New headteachers to get £15k to work where they’re ‘needed most’

Government will also ‘ensure all schools join high-quality trusts’ and let councils set up chains. But have they learnt from previous interventions like the National Teaching Service…?

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-headteachers-to-get-15k-to-work-where-theyre-needed-most/

3 in 5 people see teaching as ‘unappealing’

Just 6 per cent of respondents view teaching as a ‘very appealing’ job, YouGov survey suggests.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/most-people-see-teaching-unappealing-career

For the SEND reforms to work, we need staff to flourish

Giving teachers more support must be the foundation on which the new special educational needs system is built, writes the Church of England’s interim chief education officer.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/send-reforms-need-more-support-for-teachers

Accountability

KS4 reforms to make lower-attaining pupils ‘more visible’

Government launches a consultation on reforms to key stage 4, including changes to RISE interventions and a new ‘best fit’ progress measure targeted at low prior attainers.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-plans-reform-ks4-progress-measures-rise

DfE wants to ditch ‘average’ labels for school progress scores

The current ‘confidence interval’ ratings can limit understanding of a school’s performance, the government has said.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-wants-to-ditch-average-labels-for-school-progress-scores/

Disadvantage

We will halve disadvantage gap in schools, ministers say in landmark education reforms

The government will reform how schools get targeted disadvantage funding as part of an attempt to tackle the gap in achievement between pupils from poorer backgrounds compared with their more affluent peers.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/schools-white-paper-education-disadvantage-gap-b2924925.html

Increase in young people not in work, education or training

The ONS said the number of so-called Neets aged 16 to 24 was reported at 957,00 in the three months from October to December.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/ons-rachel-reeves-britons-press-association-b2927950.html

Behaviour

Dozens of staff begin nine-day strike at Rochdale school over ‘violent and abusive’ behaviour

Dozens of staff have begun a nine-day strike at a high school in Greater Manchester, citing ‘violent and abusive’ behaviour from pupils.

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2026-02-24/dozens-of-staff-on-strike-at-school-complain-of-pupils-violent-behaviour

Staff and students injured at Sheffield’s Fir Vale Academy after fights break out

Several members of staff and students have been injured at a school in Sheffield after a series of fights broke out.

https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2026-02-26/police-called-to-brawl-at-sheffield-school

TikTok and Snapchat posts urge London pupils to join ‘school wars’ fights

Met urges pupils not to get involved and asks platforms to ban accounts promoting ‘fights’ with images of weapons.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/26/tiktok-snapchat-london-pupils-school-wars

Tech

Cambridge updates digital literacy curriculum for the AI era

Understanding ‘parasocial’ relationships, including with AI chatbots, and avoiding plagiarism are among the key updates to teaching topics for pupils aged 5 to 14.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/cambridge-international-updates-digital-literacy-curriculum-schools-ai

School holidays

Create inset weeks so families can book cheaper holidays, schools urged

On the Beach has written to the headteachers of 25,000 schools in England and Wales asking them to implement inset weeks staggered by region. Though there might be a reason why schools don’t group their inset days together and take them in one go.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/schools-inset-weeks-cheaper-holidays-families-b2925918.html

People

Kevan Collins to be Phillipson’s SEND delivery adviser

Collins, already a senior DfE figure, will focus on white paper roll-out and reviewing how DfE ‘engages with councils’.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/kevan-collins-to-be-phillipsons-send-delivery-adviser/

And finally

Most misspelt words revealed in new study of nearly a million school kids

If you have ever second-guessed how to spell “February” or “sketch”, you’re not alone – many pupils regularly get it wrong.

https://news.sky.com/story/most-misspelt-words-revealed-in-new-study-of-nearly-a-million-school-kids-13511474

__________

 

20 February

Teacher retention and recruitment

What impact have the subject bursary cuts had?

The government’s withdrawal of key financial incentives for teacher training has fuelled fears of a ‘hierarchy’ of subjects – with some already recording a drop in applications. Are we really surprised?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/impact-of-cuts-teacher-training-bursaries

How specialist staff shortages threaten Labour’s 6,500 teachers target

The government’s key manifesto pledge to deliver 6,500 more teachers could hinge on recruitment into special schools and AP: here’s why that’s a challenge.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/teacher-recruitmet-special-schools-and-ap-threatens-labour-6500-target

DfE pledges eight weeks full maternity pay for school staff

Change due to be enacted from 2027 for leaders and teachers, and new support staff body will get remit to negotiate ‘equivalent improvements’.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-pledges-eight-weeks-full-maternity-pay-school-staff-teachers-support-leaders/

‘No off-switch’ affects mental health says headteacher

Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, school heads have no “off-switch” and it affects their mental health, work and family life.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jx03k070lo

Teachers need agency to thrive – we’re exploring how and why

Agency is often misinterpreted and overlooked, but giving teachers themselves more capacity to act would bring wide-ranging benefits, writes Lisa-Maria Müller.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-need-agency-to-thrive-were-exploring-how-and-why/

Accountability

Grammars shine in ‘unfair’ MAT league tables

Two of the top three-ranked trusts run grammar schools, up from zero last year. Do accountability measures tell us anything helpful at all?

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/grammars-shine-in-unfair-mat-league-tables/

Inclusion

Schools face wait for ‘urgently needed’ medical guidance

Minister says new guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions won’t be published until the spring after MPs warn of young people being left ‘exposed’.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/delayed-medical-guidance-for-schools-coming-in-spring

Radical SEND support shake-up risks political backlash

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support in England is facing its biggest shake-up in a generation, potentially provoking a political backlash, leaked details suggest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2d041wl6po

DfE commits £26m to recruit more educational psychologists

Funding for hundreds more educational psychologists announced amid concerns that specialists are spending too much time on admin rather than supporting children.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-funding-to-train-more-educational-psychologists-for-schools

SEND transport bill could hit £3.4bn by 2030, councils warn

Local authorities could be transporting 100,000 more pupils with SEND to school by the end of the decade unless there is significant reform, say councils.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/send-home-to-school-transport-costs-for-councils

Lib Dems set out plans to stop SEND services being ‘cash cows’

The Liberal Democrats have called for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in England to be designated as critical national infrastructure to stop vulnerable children being treated as “cash cows” by private investors.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wlx0q1ll7o

SEND crisis ‘harder to fix’ with schools outside strong MATs

Government inclusion adviser Tom Rees speaks to Tes ahead of the publication of the schools White Paper and SEND reform plans. Does this signal a strong push for all schools to join MATs?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/send-crisis-harder-fix-schools-outside-strong-mats

Private special school fees capped in ‘profit before children’ crackdown

Plan for price bands and national standards follows award-winning exposure by Schools Week of soaring private sector spend.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/private-special-school-fees-capped-in-profit-before-children-crackdown/

School Improvement

We built RISE to listen, learn and improve

After an interim evaluation of the government’s RISE school improvement programme, DfE director general Tim Coulson sets out his vision for the scheme.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/we-built-rise-listen-learn-and-improve

Equalities

What is the new gender guidance for schools and colleges in England?

Advice on how to respond to students questioning their birth gender has been updated. Here are the key changes.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/13/what-is-new-gender-guidance-schools-colleges-england-explainer

Lack of diversity among curriculum drafters ‘deeply concerning’

Open letter with nearly 100 signatories calls for a ‘more diverse range’ of drafters to write the new national curriculum, warning there is a risk of ‘narrow’ content.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/national-curriculum-draft-team-lack-of-diversity

New Scottish law ‘strengthens pupils’ rights’ over religious observance

Legislation is designed to give children a stronger voice in decisions around their participation in religious education and observance in schools.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/scottish-law-pupils-rights-religious-observance-education-schools

Curriculum & qualifications

‘Highly valued’ music hubs face funding and staffing challenges

A report has evaluated the first year of new-style music hubs, following a major restructure.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/highly-valued-music-hubs-face-funding-and-staffing-challenges/

Early years

Why we need workforce reform in the early years

The needs of children starting school now are different than they were a few decades ago. Do Julian Grenier’s suggestions go far enough?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/early-years/why-we-need-workforce-reform-early-years

Behaviour

Behaviour expert plays down hubs’ restorative practice trend

‘The behaviour hubs actively encouraged schools to adopt greater levels of consistency, rigour and predictability’. Tom Bennett reminds us that the use of either-or dichotomies are not a good way to make policy (well, no he doesn’t say that, but the article clearly displays the limitations).

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/behaviour-expert-plays-down-hubs-restorative-practice-trend/

More than 5,000 violent incidents towards teachers reported in Scottish schools over five years

Data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information requests shows 5,222 incidents were recorded between the 2019/20 and 2024/25.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/scottish-schools-violence-teachers-students-b2920816.html

Don’t make us security guards, says teacher stabbed by pupil

A teacher who thought she was going to die when she was stabbed by a 13-year-old pupil in the schoolyard has said giving staff handheld scanners will not stop violence in schools.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqvrxy0zn0o

Ofsted

Schools told to put report QR codes on their Ofsted banners

Ofsted says schools including the new QR codes in their promotional materials will provide ‘transparency’ and help to put inspection ratings into context. Marketing eh?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/schools-told-put-report-qr-codes-their-ofsted-banners

Pupil absence

School absence up 50% in latest flu season, analysis finds

Surge in pupil sick days prompts health experts to call for the government to roll out flu vaccination to all schools before October break.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/school-absence-increases-flu-season-vaccinations

AI attendance targets yet to reach many schools

Findings are further proof that the government rollout of AI-generated attendance targets for individual schools has been ‘botched’, says leaders’ union.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/schools-have-not-got-dfe-ai-attendance-targets

Politics

Suella Braverman named Reform UK’s education spokesperson

The former home secretary claimed teacher authority had been ‘eroded by violence and disorder’.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/suella-braverman-named-reform-uks-education-spokesperson/

__________

 

13 February

Teacher retention and recruitment

Why apprenticeships could be critical in the teacher recruitment crisis

Teaching apprenticeships have grown by 800 per cent since launch, but to reap the benefits we need more support, argues Hannah Senel-Walp.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/teaching-apprenticeships-could-be-critical-teacher-recruitment-crisis

Why we’ve made the difficult decision to end teacher grants

The CEO of charity Education Support says a drop in donations has forced it to focus its efforts on mental health and wellbeing support for the sector.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/why-education-support-not-offering-teacher-grants

Inclusion

Cash-strapped councils’ spending on private special schools soars

Local authorities with the biggest SEND deficits see their spending on places in independent special schools rise by up to 58 per cent, Tes analysis shows.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/council-spending-private-special-schools-send

Children with special needs in England will keep current support, minister says

Georgia Gould reassures parents that no child will be asked to leave school or have levels of assistance removed.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/09/children-special-needs-england-keep-current-support-minister-says

Third of areas cut core school funding to prop up SEND

DfE urged to fix the ‘scandal’ of mainstream school funding being diverted to support councils’ ‘mountainous’ SEND debts.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/councils-cut-schools-funding-to-pay-for-send-provision

DfE expects all secondary schools to have ‘inclusion bases’

Each school would have a ‘dedicated safe space away from busy classrooms where pupils can access targeted support’, says government.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/

Send provision leaving deprived areas of England ‘trailing behind’, report finds

Ex-education secretaries urge change as data shows special educational needs spending rising fastest in wealthy areas.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/11/send-provision-leaving-deprived-areas-of-england-trailing-behind-report-finds

School Improvement

Heads ‘on trial’: 8 findings from first RISE evaluation

But report concludes the initial rollout of Labour’s school improvement scheme has been a ‘success’.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/heads-on-trial-8-findings-from-first-rise-evaluation/

‘There is a fundamental muddle with the design of RISE’

The interim evaluation of the government’s RISE school improvement programme indicates some critical challenges for the scheme that need to be addressed, argues Leora Cruddas.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/problems-with-rise-school-improvement-programme

Curriculum & qualifications

The gulf between ambition and reality on curriculum reform

The wind of change is blowing in education.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-gulf-between-ambition-and-reality-on-curriculum-reform/

Reading

‘Kids do love reading, if you give them the right stuff’: Campaign to get children back into books

Research carried out by Public First for Lit in Colour suggests 33% of young people say the books they read at school put them off reading, while 68% want an English curriculum that better reflects modern Britain.

https://news.sky.com/story/kids-do-love-reading-if-you-give-them-the-right-stuff-campaign-to-get-children-back-into-books-13504178

Wales’s reading problem – and the data gap behind it

The schools watchdog’s latest warnings on literacy in Wales will sound familiar to many.

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-11/waless-reading-problem-and-the-data-gap-behind-it

Tech

‘It’s the only way I talk to my friends’: What do 16-year-olds really think about a social media ban?

As the government contemplates banning social media for under-16s, The Independent heard from those who know what it is like to grow up in online world.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/social-media-ban-uk-labour-australia-teenagers-b2909451.html

New advice for parents about ‘toxic’ social media

Parents are to be offered advice and support on how to talk to their children about harmful online content as part of a new government initiative.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm8wg1wg4go

Third of children who use AI chatbots consider tech to be a ‘friend’

Some 81% of children aged between 11 and 16 say they use the technology, the poll for Vodafone found.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/vodafone-childline-nspcc-b2917093.html

Majority of young people worry AI will be used to make inappropriate images of them

Three in five young people worried about inappropriate use of AI.

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/ai-inappropriate-images-teens-survey-b2917113.html

Social media companies accused of deliberately addicting children in pivotal trial

The world’s biggest social media companies are to face the first of several landmark trials this week in the US that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms.

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-09/social-media-companies-accused-of-deliberately-addicting-children-in-key-trial

How mobile phone policies in schools impact students’ wellbeing

A new study by the University of Birmingham found that restrictive mobile phone policies in schools do not improve pupils’ mental wellbeing, showing no discernible difference in measures such as worry or optimism.

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/mobile-phone-use-schools-wellbeing-b2917913.html

Police investigation launched after deepfakes of school staff circulated online

The deepfakes are understood to have been created using real pictures from social media profiles of staff.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/norfolk-police-investigation-deepfake-school-b2917371.html

School buildings

RAAC crisis in schools demands permanent fixes, MPs warn

Significant risks remain across ageing school buildings – and that affects pupils’ learning and wellbeing, warns education committee.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/raac-crisis-schools-demands-permanent-fixes-mps-say

Education estates strategy to replace CIF and create surplus land framework

New process for repairs to standalone academies and small trusts will not require ‘full bids’, says DfE.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/

Ofsted

Ofsted: Heads question fairness of combining attendance and behaviour

Tes analysis shows most schools graded as ‘needs attention’ were only criticised over attendance and not behaviour.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-combined-attendance-behaviour-grade-questioned

Ofsted ‘needs to urgently review’ inspections over grade disparity

Headteachers’ union experts raise concern about difference between primary and secondary ratings and watchdog’s approach to grading achievement.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-must-review-inspections-over-grade-disparity-ascl

Estyn

Many children ‘failed’ by teaching standards – watchdog

Urgent improvement is needed to teaching and literacy in schools or more young people in Wales will fail to reach their potential, the education watchdog says.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gl3z9y2go

Parents

Why are schools getting more complaints than ever?

Headteachers are reporting a surge in complaints from parents.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/why-are-schools-getting-more-parent-complaints

What if… schools all stopped setting homework?

As part of our thought experiment series, Naveen Rizvi asks whether homework is worth the workload cost – and if anyone would miss it if every school stopped setting it.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/leadership/tips-techniques/what-if-schools-all-stopped-setting-homework

__________

 

6 February

Inclusion

Nearly a fifth of KS4 students recorded with SEND

The latest key stage 4 data shows that the proportion of students with SEND has been rising since before Covid, but also that the gender gap in KS4 results has narrowed.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/nearly-fifth-ks4-students-recorded-send

Speech and language screening pilot reveals ‘shocking’ level of need

Analysis suggests 6 in 10 children given universal screening were found to have speech and language needs.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/speech-and-language-screening-pilot-reveals-shocking-level-of-need/

One in six autistic children have not gone to school since September, study finds

The government is expected to publish its plans to reform the special educational needs and disabilities system in the coming weeks.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/autism-autistic-children-school-absence-send-b2913125.html

Piloted in-school SEND support ‘cut exclusions’ – report

Standardised EHCPs also welcomed by parents and councils, researchers find.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/piloted-in-school-send-support-cut-exclusions-report/

8 in 10 councils could be left insolvent by SEND deficits

Research suggests 95 per cent of councils have a deficit as a result of SEND spending exceeding their funding.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/most-councils-could-be-left-insolvent-send-spending-deficits

Ministers on lobbying blitz to avoid Labour rebellion over Send changes

Government has ‘learned lesson’ of botched welfare overhauls but MPs say they will not back cost-saving measures.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/01/ministers-lobbying-blitz-avoid-labour-rebellion-send-changes

Revealed: DfE’s orders to councils as SEND reforms quietly begin

Whitehall tells councils not to wait for the white paper or further information on deficits to get started.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-dfes-orders-to-councils-as-send-reforms-quietly-begin/

The Guardian view on inclusive schools: ministers should recognise that class size matters

Less crowded classrooms would make interacting with teachers easier, benefiting pupils including those with Send.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/03/the-guardian-view-on-inclusive-schools-ministers-should-recognise-that-class-size-matters

Teacher retention and recruitment

‘Barriers’ to upper pay range cause frustration for teachers

Staff report ‘shifting’ goalposts as union warns of ‘significant contribution to the exodus’ of teachers.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/barriers-to-upper-pay-range-cause-frustration-for-teachers/

School Improvement

Dodgy DfE data shortens schools’ working weeks

Figures suggested one in six schools are not complying with the 32.5 hour week.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dodgy-dfe-data-shortens-schools-working-weeks/

Curriculum & qualifications

Scotland: New exams body plans to shake up qualifications system

A shake-up of the exams system could be in the pipeline after Scotland’s new exams body gave more details of plans for a major review.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6yzp1dl1jo

Reading for pleasure needs a ‘higher profile’ at school, MPs told

Education experts giving evidence to an MPs’ inquiry into the decline in children reading for pleasure make four recommendations to address the problem.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/reading-pleasure-needs-more-curriculum-focus

RE provision in NI to be reviewed but ‘Christianity will remain central’, Education Minister says

The Department of Education has announced the first revision of the religious education syllabus in Northern Ireland in nearly 20 years.

https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2026-02-03/re-provision-in-ni-to-be-reviewed

Collective Worship

Government to ‘update’ collective worship guidance for England’s schools

Move comes after the Supreme Court ruled the delivery of religious education in Northern Ireland schools was unlawful.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-update-collective-worship-guidance-for-englands-schools/

Tech

DfE’s AI tutoring plan prompt calls for more research

DfE says 450,000 disadvantaged children will benefit, but experts warn evidence on AI provision ‘in its infancy’.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tutoring-plan-prompt-calls-for-more-research/

Ban on phones in schools backed by House of Lords

A ban on students using mobile phones during the school day has been backed by the House of Lords.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y3npyjyl7o

Exclusion

Schools could be required to record internal exclusions

Government looks to collect data as it urges schools to send fewer children home.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-could-be-required-to-record-internal-exclusions/

Behaviour

Do schools need to change course on behaviour?

‘Bad’ behaviour is damaging teacher wellbeing and disrupting learning, despite successive governments trying to tackle it.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/how-to-improve-behaviour-in-schools

Ofsted

Fears over head and Sendco workload in new Ofsted inspections

Some senior leaders who have experienced the new report-card inspections have described them as ‘brutal’, ASCL tells schools’ conference.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/headteacher-workload-new-ofsted-school-inspections

Ofsted plans closer monitoring of impact on heads’ wellbeing

Deal with headteachers will broaden new framework feedback and establish union-led ‘independent advisory group’ to scrutinise data.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-plans-closer-monitoring-of-impact-on-heads-wellbeing/

Policy-making

Labour’s confusing communications create same old policy problems

ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio laments that the government seems to have learned little from the past as it continues to issue ‘policy via press release’.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/confusing-government-communications-same-old-policy-problems

 

__________

 

30 January

Disadvantage

Britain’s ‘poorest still getting poorer’ as Labour urged to act on ‘record high’ levels of poverty

Poverty will remain stuck at a high level without change, researchers warn.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/poverty-child-uk-report-jrf-benefit-cap-labour-b2907728.html

Over 700,000 graduates out of work and claiming benefits, analysis suggest

More than 700,000 university graduates are out of work and claiming welfare benefits, new analysis by a think tank suggests.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1klry2rjm0o

Warning of literacy ‘crisis’ in Welsh schools as 20% of children don’t own books

Wales’ National Children’s Laureates are warning of a “crisis” in literacy in schools.

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2026-01-27/warning-of-literacy-crisis-in-welsh-schools-as-20-of-children-dont-own-books

Pupil premium paperwork reveals schools snub effective strategies

Our review of 550 pupil premium strategies found many schools aren’t strategic at all – which suggests leaders need help to use evidence effectively, says Emma Dobson.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-paperwork-reveals-schools-snub-effective-strategies/

Equalities

Disadvantaged white pupils ‘fall furthest after primary’

Research also shows that high achievers in primary who are disadvantaged are much less likely to go on to get strong GCSE and A-level results.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/disadvantaged-white-pupils-fall-furthest-after-primary

GCSE reading lists ‘will take decades’ to reflect UK diversity

Teachers need more support to introduce texts to the classroom that provide GCSE English literature students with a more diverse choice, warns report.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/gcse-english-reading-lists-slow-to-reflect-uk-diversity

White disadvantaged girls see sharpest drop at GCSE

Leaders call for the government to set out targeted action amid fears that girls are being overlooked in the drive to improve white working-class pupils’ outcomes.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/white-disadvantaged-girls-see-sharpest-drop-gcse-results

Curriculum & qualifications

Concerns over make-up of curriculum drafters group

Leaders ‘disappointed’ at ‘lack of diversity and representation’ among experts recruited to help write new national curriculum.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/concerns-over-make-up-of-curriculum-drafters-group/

Teacher uses 40-year-old law to withdraw from teaching religion

A primary school teacher has used a conscience clause in a 40-year-old law to withdraw from teaching religious education (RE).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93vx98z5dno

Government row breaks out over plan to cut spending for PE in England’s schools

Proposed cuts by DHSC and DfE came despite concerns about inactivity among children contributing to obesity.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/27/government-row-breaks-out-over-proposals-to-slash-spending-for-pe-in-schools

The case for clearer Holocaust curriculum guidance

Teaching and learning about the Holocaust is not easy. And the evidence is suggesting our teachers and students need more support.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-case-for-clearer-holocaust-curriculum-guidance/

Feeling ‘in control’ helps students make stronger reading progress

Researchers find a notable decline in students’ sense of control over their academic outcomes as they progress through key stage 3.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/school-students-sense-of-control-improves-reading-progress

Tech

Schools in England should be phone-free all day, education secretary says

Bridget Phillipson says pupils should not use mobiles at any point, as Ofsted prepares to inspect compliance.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/26/education-secretary-mobile-phone-ban-england-schools-ofsted

Ministers to trial AI tutoring in England’s schools

Government claims pilot ‘could support up to 450,000 children a year on free school meals to access one to one tutoring’.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ministers-to-trial-ai-tutoring-in-englands-schools/

1 in 3 teachers reports WhatsApp pastoral incidents

Exclusive polling revealing the impact of social media in schools comes as the government is considering a ban for under-16s.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/teachers-report-whatsapp-pastoral-incidents-social-media-ban

Accountability

Schools with good governance ‘better prepared for Ofsted’

Those with effective boards ‘more likely to sustain improvement beyond the inspection cycle’, report finds.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-with-good-governance-better-prepared-for-ofsted/

School Improvement

‘Universal RISE’: How will the DfE’s school improvement scheme work?

DfE writes to schools with the lowest attainment rates urging them to engage with optional programme.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/universal-rise-how-will-the-dfes-school-improvement-scheme-work/

Early years

Wednesday briefing: Can we turn around the growing school readiness crisis?

In today’s newsletter: Rising living costs, shrinking early years services and soaring screen use are reshaping what teachers encounter on the first day of school, with consequences felt across the system.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/28/wednesday-briefing-can-we-turn-around-the-growing-school-readiness-crisis

Behaviour

Attendance and behaviour hubs: 29 more lead schools revealed

Schools Week obtains list of additional lead schools, with several more due to be announced later this week.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/attendance-and-behaviour-hubs-29-more-lead-schools-revealed/

School suspension in England only to be for pupils’ most serious misbehaviour

Policy intended to keep more children sanctioned for non-violent bad behaviour in school in ‘internal exclusion’ units.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/29/school-suspension-in-england-only-to-be-for-pupils-most-serious-misbehaviour

School places

Community health hubs could use empty classrooms

LocatED chief ‘seriously worried’ closures due to demographic shifts could undo the work of the free schools programme.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/community-health-hubs-could-use-empty-classrooms/

Ofsted

Ofsted admits to ‘generic wording’ in new report cards

Concerns emerge after 12 out of 103 new inspection report cards show duplicated language, despite different inspectors visiting the schools in question.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-admits-generic-wording-new-inspection-report-cards

Pupil absence

The attendance crisis: what does last term’s data tell us?

Pupil absence was up in the autumn term, but what else can we learn when we break down the details of the latest DfE attendance data? Ellen Peirson-Hagger shares key insights.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/what-does-autumn-school-attendance-data-tell-us-pupil-absence

Absence fines level out after post-Covid surge

Unions argue new £80 penalties are not ‘much of a deterrent’ amid fresh calls for limits on travel firm school holiday price rises.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/absence-fines-level-out-after-post-covid-surge/

Parents

Repairs to the school-parent contract must come from the top

The situation is not irreparable, and the first small steps have already been taken towards forging a more positive home-school relationship.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/repairs-to-the-school-parent-relationships-must-come-from-the-top/

Lack of home reading prompts school concerns over language skills

A quarter of parents avoid reading to their children because they lack belief in their own ability, finds Parentkind poll, as schools contend with ‘weaker language foundations’.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/lack-home-reading-school-concerns-pupil-language-skills

Retention and recruitment

Senedd election: Labour pledges ‘pay boost’ for school support staff

Welsh Labour has said that school support staff would receive year-round pay if the party leads the next Welsh Government following May’s Senedd Election.

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2026-01-24/senedd-election-labour-pledges-pay-boost-for-school-support-staff

 

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