The DfE has announced that local areas will begin increasing access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists from September 2026. More children and young people with SEND will get specialist support without needing a diagnosis, as the government begins rolling out a new Experts at Hand service across England backed by new £1.8 … Continue reading Local areas prepare new Experts at Hand teams
Author: Bruce Levitan
Information sharing duty statutory guidance
The DfE is seeking views on draft statutory guidance on the information sharing duty introduced in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. You can respond on their website, here.
How is the new Ofsted scheme working?
You can sign up for a free seminar that will share the outcomes of the first independent post Ofsted Inspection survey. Tickets are going fast, so don't delay. Sign up here
The problem of SEND “magnet schools”
It comes as no surprise to read the conclusion of a new NFER report that highlights the issue that schools that proved good SEND support tend to become magnets as parents chose to send their children there. The report also finds that this is reinforced by variation in school practices, with some schools less willing … Continue reading The problem of SEND “magnet schools”
PE and sport premium to be replaced
The DfE have announced major funding to support new PE and school sport, with targeted support to ensure all children can access equal opportunities for activity, in a scheme that replaces the existing arrangements. Backed by £580 million and set to be fully up and running from Spring 2027, the Network will replace the existing … Continue reading PE and sport premium to be replaced
Delivering the children’s social care reset: an implementation plan for local partners
The DfE have published Delivering the children’s social care reset, provides the government’s implementation plan for reforming children’s social care in England. It follows the keeping children safe, helping families thrive policy paper. The plan outlines how local partners can: deliver improved early help strengthen support for family networks ensure stable, registered and high‑quality placements … Continue reading Delivering the children’s social care reset: an implementation plan for local partners
Key changes introduced in Working together to safeguard children 2026
This Department for Education (DfE) Statutory guidance on multi-agency working to help, support and protect children. sets out what organisations and agencies who have functions relating to children must and should do to help, protect and promote the welfare of all children and young people under the age of 18, including unborn children, in England. … Continue reading Key changes introduced in Working together to safeguard children 2026
Working lives of teachers and leaders: wave 4
The DfE's fourth report on teacher wellbeing finds that some things are improving, e.g. flexible working and lower working hours, and compared with previous years, there was an increase in the proportion of teachers and leaders who agreed that their workload was acceptable. Although the last point is good, it should be noted that almost … Continue reading Working lives of teachers and leaders: wave 4
Fair School Admissions Hub
The Sutton Trust has been looking at the issue of school admissions for almost 20 years. They have repeatedly found evidence that England’s top comprehensive schools are, in practice, often highly socially selective. That needs to change. Find out more about their research in this area, why this issue matters, and what they're doing to … Continue reading Fair School Admissions Hub
Foundation for Education Development (FED) survey
The FED is dedicated to the belief that long-term strategic education planning is vital to the success of countries and their people. Over the past six years, they have consulted with thousands of stakeholders across the education system. You can take part in their survey here.
The Pearson School & College Report 2026
The fifth annual Pearson School & College Report: Foundations for the future. It brings together thousands of voices from across education to build a clear, independent picture of what learning looks like in the UK today. The report is available on their website, here.
High-attaining maths pupils make more progress when grouped by attainment
Research by the Education Endowment Foundation and UCL finds that secondary school pupils with high prior attainment in maths (who have previously received high marks in the subject) make slower progress in mixed-attainment maths classes. The EEF recommends that maths teachers in mixed-attainment classes work to stretch high-attaining pupils, and that schools with sets in … Continue reading High-attaining maths pupils make more progress when grouped by attainment
NAHT survey finds half of school leaders have areas out of use or unfit for purpose
A poll has revealed school buildings blighted by leaking roofs and windows, damp, mould, asbestos, ageing boilers and fire doors, and even MDF holding up walls. The findings were highlighted in a survey by school leaders’ union NAHT ahead of its annual conference in Belfast. It found 51% of its members taking part in England … Continue reading NAHT survey finds half of school leaders have areas out of use or unfit for purpose
Responding to changing demand for school places
This new report from the National Audit Office examines DfE’s approach to supporting the school system in England respond to falling pupil numbers, seen in primary schools since 2018/19. Nationally, demand for primary school places fell by 3% between 2018/19 and 2024/25, with DfE projecting a further 7% fall from 2025 to 2030. The proportion … Continue reading Responding to changing demand for school places
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 is now law. It gives the government the power to introduce new requirements. Schools doen’t need to make any changes immediately – some of the guidance is still being consulted on or finalised, and we’re awaiting secondary legislation. Some of the key changes to come include: Allergy safety … Continue reading The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
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