Here is a useful article from TES that summarises what happened when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) quizzed Department for Education officials on its strategy to close the disadvantage gap, as well as on how it allocates funding and ensures money is well spent. Read the article here.
Author: Bruce Levitan
Families to receive £126 million in early years support
The recent government press release regarding additional early years support funding shows that Derbyshire is NOT included in the grants, though Derby is. There are many areas of deprivation in Derbyshire as governors are no doubt aware, so perhaps you will challenge this and campaign to have Derbyshire included, e.g. by contacting your MP. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-receive-126-million-in-early-years-support
Martyn Oliver speaks about Ofsted reform
Ofsted chief inspector Martyn Oliver spoke to education committee MPs on new report cards, safeguarding 'spot checks' and SEND worries amongst other things. You can read the transcript of the meeting on the Parliament website, here (where there is also am link to watch the recording of the meeting). Some of the points he made … Continue reading Martyn Oliver speaks about Ofsted reform
Legislation breaks down barriers to opportunity for all children
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill was introduced to Parliament on 17 December 2024, The Bill sets out seven key ambitions: Making a child-centred government Keeping families together and children safe Supporting children in the care system to thrive Cracking down on excessive profit making Driving high and rising standards for every child Removing barriers … Continue reading Legislation breaks down barriers to opportunity for all children
Ofsted annual report: education and social care serving most children well, but system pressures bite for most disadvantaged
Ofsted find that most children are well-served by the education sector and, in social care, life-changing work is being done for children and young people every day. However: Many reasons to be positive about future of education and children’s social care, but huge challenges remain. Education and care providers struggling to recruit and retain skilled … Continue reading Ofsted annual report: education and social care serving most children well, but system pressures bite for most disadvantaged
Teachers using ChatGPT can cut lesson planning time by over 30 per cent
Teachers using ChatGPT, alongside a guide to support them to use it effectively, can reduce their lesson planning time by 31 per cent. This is according to the findings from a new trial published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) on 12 December. Read more on the EEF website here, and download their report here.
‘Mission-led’ government must centre vulnerable children
This press release from The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel calls on the government to ensure that children at risk of being harmed, both inside and outside their families, are at the heart of its strategies to break down barriers to opportunity. This comes as the Panel’s latest annual report reveals that 485 children were … Continue reading ‘Mission-led’ government must centre vulnerable children
Schools’ responses to financial pressures 2023
This newly published report from the DfE is based on last year's figures so is not entirely up to date, but it tells a story we are all familiar with, and which has not improved since then. The research and analysis was carried out by BMG Research and CooperGibson Research. Most schools felt they were … Continue reading Schools’ responses to financial pressures 2023
New specialist places to be created in mainstream schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a £740 million cash injection from the Government to pave the way for more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive in mainstream schools. This new funding can be used to adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND, and to … Continue reading New specialist places to be created in mainstream schools
Government’s Plan for Change programme – Break Down Barriers to Opportunity
Labour has announced it's Break Down Barriers to Opportunity milestone: Giving children the best start in life. In a bid to improve Early Years, they have promised to: Roll out government-funded childcare support to improve access; Work in partnership with the sector, reforming training and support for the workforce to drive up standards; Strengthen and … Continue reading Government’s Plan for Change programme – Break Down Barriers to Opportunity
Tackling the persistent disadvantage gap
A new report by Education Policy Institute (EPI) sets out a fresh approach to school funding that would target greater support towards persistently disadvantaged pupils. This group, who have been eligible for free school meals for 80 per cent or more of their time in school, are significantly behind their peers in educational attainment but … Continue reading Tackling the persistent disadvantage gap
Towards an Effective and Financially Sustainable Approach to SEND in England
A report on SEND commissioned by the County Councils Network and Local Government Association has been published by the ISOS Partnership. The key findings are that: More children and young people than ever before are being identified as having SEND; There are more children and young people than ever before whose needs are not being … Continue reading Towards an Effective and Financially Sustainable Approach to SEND in England
MPs told SEND system is in crisis
The f40 campaigning group, which represents the 40 or so worst educationally funded councils in England, recently held a meeting with more than 75 MPs and their representatives at a parliamentary briefing in Westminster. Also involved were the Local Government Association (LGA), and the County Councils Network (CCN). MPs were told that the number of … Continue reading MPs told SEND system is in crisis
2024 National School Meals Report
A report by Cypad with feedback from over 200,000 parents in this year’s National School Meals Report in collaboration with BlueRunner, ParentPay and LACA. You can download it from their website, here - but note that it requires registration.
Careful Calculation: Addressing maths anxiety in the classroom
A new report from GL Assessment, drawing on the experiences of educators and experts, covering: The factors contributing to girls' maths attainment lag post-pandemic, including low confidence and anxiety. Practical strategies for identifying and addressing maths anxiety in your classroom. Learn how the New Group Maths Test helps teachers adapt to each student's level and … Continue reading Careful Calculation: Addressing maths anxiety in the classroom
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