Schools Week have provided a useful summary of what's in the Chancellor's autumn budget for education. Here is the link.
Author: Bruce Levitan
Therapists warn of dangers as children turn to AI for mental health advice
A survey from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) reveals that more than a third (38%) of therapists working with under 18s have clients seeking mental health guidance from AI platforms and that nearly one in five therapists (19%) reported children receiving harmful mental health advice from AI. The Mindometer survey, which gathered … Continue reading Therapists warn of dangers as children turn to AI for mental health advice
Martyn Oliver’s speech at the 2025 Association of Colleges Annual Conference
Anybody with an interest in the new Ofsted inspection scheme should read Ofsted CEO Martyn Oliver's speech where he describes the new grading system with higher expectations. It's available on the Ofsted website, here.
Free breakfast clubs
The DfE have published guidance for schools on the early adopter programme, April 2025 to March 2026 in the Free breakfast clubs scheme. Details on their website, here.
National funding formula for schools and high needs from 2025
Details of the funding system for schools and high needs from 2025 to 2026 onwards can be found on the DfE website, here.
New minimum attendance expectations
The DfE annonced new minimum attendance expectations on 12 November. A letter from Olivia Bailey MPMinister for Early Education and Minister for Equalities has been posted, addressed to governors. In it she states "Every day at school counts. Even a few missed days can have a lasting impact on a child’s learning, wellbeing, and future … Continue reading New minimum attendance expectations
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
Professor Becky Francis's Curriculum and Assessment Review has been published alongside the Department for Education’s response. The Review delivers evidence-informed recommendations based on responses from young people, parents, teachers, and education experts, and more. This bulletin guides you through what this means for you, your school, and your pupils. The Review found that many aspects … Continue reading Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
Schools and colleges: apply for the condition improvement fund
The condition improvement fund (CIF) The condition improvement fund (CIF) is capital funding which keeps school and college buildings in good working order or supports a specific expansion projects that meet the criteria. Applications are now open for funding for 2026 to 2027. You must apply by midday on 16 December 2025. Funding is available … Continue reading Schools and colleges: apply for the condition improvement fund
Pupil numbers and school finances
A blog post from NFER looks at the potential impact on school finances of the projected falls in pupil numbers. The Department for Education forecasts primary pupil numbers will fall by five per cent (ca. 185,000 pupils) between January 2025 and 2028, with a further drop of approximately 115,000 pupils expected from January 2028 and … Continue reading Pupil numbers and school finances
Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
The Department for Education has issued new guidance for potential incoming responsible bodies that may need capital funding to support a school joining a strong trust through the sponsorship funding route, i.e. academy trusts taking on new schools. It is aimed at situations where the costs of taking on a school might be prohibitive. You … Continue reading Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
Children in need: 2024 to 2025
The government's annual release containing statistics on children in need in England and referrals to and assessments completed by children’s social care services. You can read it here.
The Wealth Gap
A new report from the Fairness Foundation looks at the impact of the wealth gap across a wide range of societal factors. One of the findings is that it leads to unfair inequalities in children's mental health and wellbeing. The report notes that wealthier families may be able to provide more enriching experiences, live in … Continue reading The Wealth Gap
Windows 10 End of Support: What Schools Need to Know
A useful summary for schools on Windows 10 support coming to an end is available here on the S4S website.
Additional inequalities holding more girls back from sport
New data from the Youth Sport Trust’s annual Girls Active Survey has found that girls with multiple characteristics of inequality are being left behind in PE and school sport. The survey reveals that girls with two or more characteristics of inequality, such as being from a low-income family, a non-majority ethnicity, or having Special Educational … Continue reading Additional inequalities holding more girls back from sport
Double Disadvantage?
"Double Disadvantage?" is the title of a new report from the Sutton Trust focussing on support for children with SEND. It concludes that The number of children with SEND is growing. Since 2014, the rate of growth has been faster for children not eligible for free school meals (FSM) in many categories of SEND, with … Continue reading Double Disadvantage?
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