A new report from Edurio focuses on pupil behaviour. Their research on pupil behaviour and safety is based on the analysis of the views of staff, pupils, parents, and school leaders. They found that feelings of safety have declined by almost 10% in the last two years alone. Key learnings discussed in the report include: … Continue reading Behaviour and Safety: Key Trends and Challenges
Generative AI in education: educator and expert views
The The Open Innovation Team from the DfE has today (24 January) published a research findings report on the use of Generative AI (GenAI) in education. The introduction states: Although GenAI is not new, recent advances in the underlying technology and greater accessibility mean that the public can now use it more easily. This poses … Continue reading Generative AI in education: educator and expert views
Ofsted School inspection handbook update
Oftsed have recently released an updated school inspection handbook (effective from 19 January 2024) that takes into account their recent Prevention of Future Deaths report. The handbook is mainly unchanged - most of the changes are clarifications. In summary, these are as follows: Inspection can be paused under exceptional circumstances - headteachers can request a … Continue reading Ofsted School inspection handbook update
Ofsted responds to Prevention of Future Deaths report
Published today (19 January 2024) Ofsted has responded in full to a Prevention of Future Deaths report issued by HM Coroner ahead of school and further education inspections being notified next week. The response includes a new policy on pausing an inspection. A comprehensive listening exercise – the Big Listen (previously reported here) – will … Continue reading Ofsted responds to Prevention of Future Deaths report
The Big Ambition
In the run-up to the forthcoming election, The Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has launched The Big Ambition, a national survey of children and young people across England. The Big Ambition aims to hear from children and young people across England on what they think is important. You can find out about it, and … Continue reading The Big Ambition
Education: the fundamentals – Eleven facts about the education system in England
In December 2023 the Education Policy Institute published a report summarising the current status and some future trends for education in England. They identified eleven facts, as follows: Fact 1: England performs well against international comparators. Fact 2: Around 40 per cent of the disadvantage gap at age 16 is already evident by age 5 … Continue reading Education: the fundamentals – Eleven facts about the education system in England
Government school attendance campaign criticised by parents
A recent BBC News report highlights criticism of the government's new push to get attendance figures up, quoting the issue that for some children at least, not attending school is due to underlying issues such as OCD, ADHD and autism, where there is insufficient support for the children in school. The report quotes Ashley Fulwood, … Continue reading Government school attendance campaign criticised by parents
The RE Podcast
For those who are interested in RE, Louisa Jane Smith, an RE teacher with over 20 years' teaching expereince and a degree in theology, has an RE Podcast which she notes is "The first dedicated religious education podcast for students and teachers" offering "Bite-size weekly episodes on religion, ethics and philosophy." You can visit her … Continue reading The RE Podcast
Take Action on Climate Change
Do your pupils want to take action on climate change? Eco-Schools can help! Millions of pupils at thousands of schools around the UK are already taking action on climate change thanks to Eco-Schools' simple seven-step programme. The infographic below comes from Eco-Schools' 2022-23 Impact Report. You can sign up for their programme and read more … Continue reading Take Action on Climate Change
Performance Tracker 2023: Schools
The Institute for Government's 2023 Performance Tracker outlines some of the key trends in mainstream education last year, and points to some issues for the future. Some of the key points are: Pupil numbers have peaked since the end of the last "baby boom" in 2013, so in genetral schools will see falling rolls in … Continue reading Performance Tracker 2023: Schools
Bridget Phillipson Speech at Centre for Social Justice
Bridget Phillipson, Shadow Education Secretary outlined Labour's education vision in her speech at Centre for Social Justice on 9 Jan 2024. You can watch the recording here on YouTube.
Minimum service levels in education consultation
The DfE is seeking views on introducing regulations to implement minimum service levels in education services in Great Britain during strike action. This is obviously hugely controversial and follows similar trends for other public services. Here is your chance to respond to the government's proposals! You can find the consultation survey here.
Major national drive to improve school attendance
The DfE is focussing on driving up school attendance, partly in the face of the recent Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) report based on polling by YouGov which found that nearly three in ten parents (28%) surveyed agree that the pandemic has shown it is not essential for children to attend school every day. Less … Continue reading Major national drive to improve school attendance
Gender Questioning Children: Non-statutory guidance
The DfE has issued a consultation document on Gender Questioning Children. The Department for Education, working closely with the Government’s Equality Hub, has produce this guidance to provide clarity for schools and colleges, and reassurance for parents. Social TransitioningSchools are facing requests to take actions such as changing names, uniforms, or using different facilities to … Continue reading Gender Questioning Children: Non-statutory guidance
School Teachers’ Review Body remit letter for 2024
Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan’s letter to Dr Mike Aldred, Chair of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) is available here on the DfE website (PDF file). Although she does not provide any details, she strongly hints at a tighter view towards pay increases in the coming year. She also lists seven areas … Continue reading School Teachers’ Review Body remit letter for 2024
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