The DfE have published non-statutory guidance to support schools and colleges to design and deliver a high-quality enrichment offer for all pupils and students. While the guidance is non-statutory, it will be a reference point for Ofsted from September 2026, meaning enrichment will increasingly be seen through the lens of how purposeful, broad and inclusive … Continue reading The enrichment framework for schools and colleges
Author: Bruce Levitan
The widening disadvantage divide
The NFER have published a blog article: The widening disadvantage divide: Disadvantaged primary schools appear to be most affected by falling pupil numbers. This explores the implications of the fact that pupil numbers are falling fast, and the financial pressure this creates leading to schools making adjustments, such as cuts to staffing and provision, which … Continue reading The widening disadvantage divide
Inclusive education estates
The DfE have published guidance on design adaptations to support an inclusive and accessible environment in mainstream education settings. This is supported by investment of £3.7 billion over five years enabling local areas to make education estates more accessible and inclusive, delivering a transformational expansion of inclusion bases in mainstream settings and expansion of special schools where … Continue reading Inclusive education estates
Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027
The government have issued an update to the Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027. They sate that over time they aim to re-balance funding for SEND, directing much more of it into core budgets for schools and colleges. This will allow planning for provision, employing staff and delivering interventions, without having to go through lengthy … Continue reading Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027
Church of England Schools Statement of Entitlement 2026
The Church of England Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education sets out the minimum expectations that pupils in a Church school should expect to receive in their RE learning. It is intended as a foundation on which to build secure RE practice.The Church of England Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education is a key document … Continue reading Church of England Schools Statement of Entitlement 2026
What Heads Really Think About Ofsted: Urgent improvement needed
The revised Ofsted inspection framework has failed in its aim to improve the wellbeing of Heads and their staff, according to an independent survey of 100 schools to experience the new regime, published on 22 June. The vast majority of Heads offered negative comments about their inspection. These included: “I’m determined to retire before the … Continue reading What Heads Really Think About Ofsted: Urgent improvement needed
School attendance: annual and one-off events driving short-term absences
A report published on 9 June by the DfE showcases a number of different scenarios and their association with pupils’ school attendance. These are illustrative examples: we know each local community will have its own unique circumstances and that there are similar annual and occasional events all across the country taking a variety of forms. … Continue reading School attendance: annual and one-off events driving short-term absences
Record numbers of children with mental health support in schools
A new press release dated 10 June from the DfE states that the government is on track to meet its manifesto promise that every school and college will have access to mental health support teams by the end of 2029. Read more here.
Ofsted Inspection materials updated ahead of September 2026
Ofsted has today published the first of our annual updates to the education inspection toolkits and operating guides. Find out more here.
Communicating with parents about school attendance
The DfE has published information and resources to help schools communicate well with parents and carers to support improved attendance. You can find it on their website, here.
Local areas prepare new Experts at Hand teams
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
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
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