On Friday 20 October the government announced Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) to "protect children and young people’s education", to be introduced in schools and colleges. The Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has written to union leaders inviting them to discuss proposals on a voluntary basis in the first instance. In her letter she is clear that … Continue reading New measures to protect children’s learning from strike action
Category: News
The Advanced British Standard
At the Conservative Party Conference, one of the few new (i.e. previously unannouced) initiatives is the plan to scrap A and T Levels and create a new Advanced British Standard, a new Baccalaureate-style qualification for 16 to 19 year olds. The DfE have published a report "A world-class education system: The Advanced British Standard" that … Continue reading The Advanced British Standard
Is new government funding enough for schools?
New analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows that although there is substantial extra funding for schools budgeted for the next few years, it is not enough to close the gap in the true costs experienced by schools. Luke Sibieta, Research Fellow at the IFS, published an article showing that Schools funding in … Continue reading Is new government funding enough for schools?
Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England
The headline announcement from Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is currently non-mandaory, though. However, if schools fail to implement the new guidance, the government will consider legislating in the future to make the guidance statutory. The announcement - which can be read on the DfE webiste at the link below - makes the point that other … Continue reading Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England
Statement of action and commitments on equality, diversity, and inclusion
An updated joint statement of action on the subject of equality, diversity, and inclusion in education has been issued by 14 educational orgabnisations: All-in Education, Ambition Institute, Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), Chartered College of Teaching, Confederation of School Trusts (CST), DisabilityEdUK, Independent Schools Council (ISC), Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), Maternity … Continue reading Statement of action and commitments on equality, diversity, and inclusion
NGA Manifesto for Schools and Trusts
The NGA has published its new manifesto, "From Classrooms to Communities: A Manifesto for Schools and Trusts." This comprehensive document outlines key challenges faced by schools and academy trusts in the UK and presents a set of proposals aimed at addressing these issues.Included in the manifesto are the following topics: Staff Wellbeing and Recruitment Estates … Continue reading NGA Manifesto for Schools and Trusts
1970s working conditions in the 2020s
The Eduication Support Commission on Teacher Retention, supported by Public First, has published its final report on the state of the teaching profession in England’s secondary schools in 2023. Highlight results include: 78% of teachers said they would be likely to leave the profession if they were offered a job in another sector which promised … Continue reading 1970s working conditions in the 2020s
The Pathway Programme Service
The Pathway Programme is a new harmeful and problemmatic sexual behaviour service funded by Derbyshire County Council Puclic Health and Children's Services. It uses a consultation model, with up to six sessions per referral. The links below provide further information and referral form. Pathway Poster Lunchtime Webinar 16.11.23 Consultation Request Form
Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England, 2021-22
The most recent Department for Education data on exclusions paints a worrying picture of increasing trends in exclusions, with disadvantaged children being the most affected. The Social Work News website notes "For the first time, the majority of suspensions are of children living in poverty, further widening the poverty gap in lost learning." and further … Continue reading Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England, 2021-22
Cost-of-living crisis: Impact on schools
The NFER (National Foundation for Education Research) has, this month, published two reports on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on schools - over 2700 teachers and senior leaders were surveyed in April and May 2023 in mainstream and special schools. The research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and conducted in collaboration with ASK Research, … Continue reading Cost-of-living crisis: Impact on schools
Delivering Better Value in SEND?
The latest controversy in education seems to be whether the DfE aims to reduce EHC plans by 20%, despite the Education Minister's denials. This centres on a contract between the DfE and external supplier Newton Europe issued in July 2022 and running until the end of May 2024. You can downoad a redacted copy of … Continue reading Delivering Better Value in SEND?
Upcoming Training from Derbyshire (S4S)
Here is a list of Governor-related training for this term from S4S. The link next to each course will take you to the course booking page. Evidencing your inclusive school (primary and secondary) – are you Ofsted ready?19 Sep 2023 09:30 - 12:00 (online) - Link to course Preparing for Ofsted19 Sep 2023 18:00 - … Continue reading Upcoming Training from Derbyshire (S4S)
SEND reforms to be trialled across England
Thirty-two regions across England have been selected to trial the SEND reforms detailed in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan (March 2023). The list and the Plan can be viewed via the links below, but Derbyshire is not included. AP Improvement Plan SEND reform trials list
List of education settings with confirmed RAAC
The government has published the list of schools and colleges where the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was confirmed by 30 August on Wednesday 6 September. The vast majority of school remain unaffected. RAAC reports download link
NGA Annual Governance Survey 2023
The latest annual survey from the NGA is available using the link below. The report highlights several issues that governors have raised, including: The challenge of recruiting and retaining governors and trustees has reached an all time high. The percentage of respondents sharing the view that the governance role should be paid is steadily increasing … Continue reading NGA Annual Governance Survey 2023
dsga.org.uk 