A new report from the Government's Public Accounts Committe (PAC) finds that disadvantaged children may not be benefitting from funding intended for them, with the Department for Education (DfE) possessing only a limited picture of how schools are spending billions in funding associated with disadvantage. The report highlights that 47% of senior school leaders were … Continue reading Disadvantaged pupils risk losing out as their funding increasingly used to plug budget gaps
Author: Bruce Levitan
The Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards
Do you think your school does something special in terms of school meals, food education or food fitness? Then pop along to Jamie Oliver's Good School Food Awards website and nominate in one or more of the categories. Good School Food Awards
Who has been registered for free school meals and pupil premium in the National Pupil Database?
This is the title of a new report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI). It explores the strengths and weaknesses of free school meals (FSM) and Pupil Premium (PP) as measures for identifying disadvantaged pupils in England. It finds significant differences between the number of children estimated to be living in poverty and those who … Continue reading Who has been registered for free school meals and pupil premium in the National Pupil Database?
‘PDNS for Schools’ cyber security service
‘PDNS for Schools’ is a cyber security service, developed by the NCSC, that’s designed to protect schools from a variety of online threats. NCSC is offering ‘PDNS for Schools’ free of charge to a wider range of organisations. This will mean more schools – regardless of their resources – can now benefit from enhanced cyber … Continue reading ‘PDNS for Schools’ cyber security service
Raising the Nation Play Commission ‘State of Play’ report
Raising the Nation Play Commission, a year-long independent inquiry into why play is critical to the wellbeing of children in England, published its Interim Report, ‘State of Play’ on February 24th. It reveals the growing barriers to play in England, including playground closures, concerns about traffic and safety, cuts to park budgets and play facilities, … Continue reading Raising the Nation Play Commission ‘State of Play’ report
SEND in crisis campaign
The f40 group of local authorities, of which Derbyshire is one, have started a campaign for: A SEND funding strategy, linked to the SEND and AP Improvement Plan, focusing on early intervention and inclusion. Additional SEND revenue funding – f40 has calculated that £4.6bn more is required per year. Substantial one-off capital funding to expand … Continue reading SEND in crisis campaign
Serious youth violence research programme
The DfE has put up a web page with links to reports which explore how systems of support may protect young people from, or expose them to, involvement in serious youth violence. These reports are from the serious violence research programme, which is co-led by the Department for Education and Youth Endowment Fund. You can … Continue reading Serious youth violence research programme
Supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless
A new report from Ofsted highlihtes that although in 2022–23, a report by the Children’s Commissioner revealed that approximately 6,500 16- and 17-year-olds reported being homeless, the true scale of homelessness for 16- and 17-year-olds is a ‘hidden issue’. Many children are living in unstable environments, such as staying with a friend, and may not … Continue reading Supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless
Online safety
Two recent surveys highlight manyn of the safety issues around children using the Internet. A BBC Teach survey, underatken by Censuswide found that more than three-quarters (80%) of primary school teachers are aware of at least one safeguarding incident linked to online safety in the past 12 months. Meanwhile, a third (36%) of teachers reported … Continue reading Online safety
Identifying SEND
A new report by the Education Policy Institute, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, highlights the inequalities and the blind spots that exist in SEND support across schools in England. The report identifies the structural challenges within the system where factors such as the fragmentation of the school system, prolonged school absences, language barriers and living … Continue reading Identifying SEND
Derbyshire Derbyshire SEND Partnership Priority Impact Plan
In the wake of the recent Oftsed report in Derbyshire Council's SEND provision, the LA has published its impact plan. In the plan's introduction they note: "The Partnership has apologised for these failings and is committed to addressing all the areas identified in the inspection report through this Impact Plan. The Impact Plan establishes the … Continue reading Derbyshire Derbyshire SEND Partnership Priority Impact Plan
School accountability reform
In tandem with Ofsted's new consultation on inspection, the DfE has launched a consultation on school accountability principles, school profiles and a stronger approach to school improvement. It runs from 3 February to 28 April 2025. You can respond to it on the DfE website, here.
Improving the way Ofsted inspects education
Ofsted has opened a new consultation on its plans for inspection from September 2025. The consultation will run for 12 weeks, from 3 February to 28 April. In tandem with this the DfE are running a consultation on accountability. Ofsted state: "This consultation asks for your views, as parents, carers, professionals or learners, on the … Continue reading Improving the way Ofsted inspects education
UK Poverty 2025
A new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation sets out the nature of poverty in the UK in the run-up to 2024's General Election. It also sets out the scale of action necessary for the Government to deliver the change it has promised. Using their cost of living tracker, the unacceptably high levels of poverty … Continue reading UK Poverty 2025
SEND: guidance for school governing boards
The DfE have updated their guidance on SEND for Governing Bodies. They state that the purpose of this guidance is intended to: support school governing boards’ understanding of their role and responsibilities in relation to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities; empower governors and trustees to hold their schools to … Continue reading SEND: guidance for school governing boards
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