A report from Adapt-Ed, led by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire in partnership with University of Essex and the charity School Food Matters has found that one in four free school meal eligible children in special schools are not taking up their entitlement. The researchers highlighted several areas where school meals could be made … Continue reading One in four free school meal eligible children in special schools are not taking up their entitlement
How does the Spending Review affect education?
The BBC have produced a summary of the impacts of the recent government spending review, including how education is affected. You can find their summary here.
How DfE handles whistleblowing disclosures
The DfE published information on how they define and deal with whistleblowing on 10 June. Here is the link to their policy statement.
Goverment AI guidance
The DfE released support materials to help schools and colleges use AI (artificial intelligence) safely and effectively on 10 June. There are four modules for staff and one for leaders: Understanding AI in education;Interacting with generative AI in education;Safe use of generative AI in education;Use cases of generative AI in education; Using AI in education: … Continue reading Goverment AI guidance
School and college voice: December 2024
The School and college voice report from DfE, based on a survey between 10 December and 23 December 2024, has been published (29 May). A wide range of issues were surveyed, and you can read the full report on the DfE website, here. Some of the findings are: The top two most helpful actions for … Continue reading School and college voice: December 2024
Most safeguarding professionals support the end of physical punishment of children in England
In a recent NSPCC sponsored YouGov survey, most safeguarding professionals surveyed, including social workers (90%), healthcare professionals (77%), teachers (75%) and the police (51%), think the law in England should be changed to end the physical punishment of children. They are calling for this to be taken into account in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools … Continue reading Most safeguarding professionals support the end of physical punishment of children in England
Children’s Commissioners unite to call for equal protection for children from assault in UK
Every child in the United Kingdom must have the same protection from assault as adults, four Children’s Commissioners have united to say in a joint statement. The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, and her colleagues in Scotland, Nicola Killean, Wales, Rocio Cifuentes and Northern Ireland, Chris Quinn, came together on May 1st … Continue reading Children’s Commissioners unite to call for equal protection for children from assault in UK
Forthcoming governor training from Derbsyhire Services for Schools
Here are the upcoming training opportunities from Derbsyhire Services for Schools (S4S) - these are all courses that are either specifically aimed at governors, or where governors might find them useful. The Safer Recruitment courses are all in-person events and offered at different venues. AI Compliance (2 Jun 2025 15:30 - 17:00, online) School Complaints … Continue reading Forthcoming governor training from Derbsyhire Services for Schools
The Age 11 Dip
We all know that transition from primary to secondary school is a big change and challenge for young people, so it's no surprise - but very alarming - that this new report based on 80,000 children's responses, shows that more than one in four pupils begin to disengage from school during Year 7. The findings … Continue reading The Age 11 Dip
Teacher 2025 pay award
The DfE announced a 4% pay award on 22 may, but the catch is that schools will have to find 1% of this from their own resources. You can read the statement from the DfE on their website, here. The NGA's response both welcomes the early annoucement and level of award, but criticises the fact … Continue reading Teacher 2025 pay award
New trial will find out if Oak’s AI-powered lesson planning tool can reduce workload while maintaining quality
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is inviting primary schools to take part in trial of Aila, Oak National Academy’s AI-powered lesson planning assistant. Launched on 12th May, the EEF is recruiting around 450 primary school teachers to take part. Find out more here.
What is the most popular validated phonics scheme?
According to Teacher Tapp's Brand Tracker, Read Write Inc and Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised are used by more than half of schools. Rising stars were Essential Letters and Sounds and Twinkl Phonics. Find out more on the Teacher Tapp blog, here.
Education Secretary gives keynote speech at Education World Forum
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson gave the keynote speech on the use of EdTech to improve opportunity in education at the Education World Forum on 19th May. Some key points were: Inequality and injustice still exist: "opportunity still lies beyond the grasp of too many people – here in this country and around the world"; One … Continue reading Education Secretary gives keynote speech at Education World Forum
Improved PE and sport for more than 240,000 pupils with SEND
The DfE has launched its Inclusion 2028 programme which will improve access to PE and school sports for pupils with SEND. The aim is to train 10,000 teachers and practitioners in England across three years and 8,000 schools. You can read the full press release here.
Support for children and young people with special educational needs
In response to the recent Public Accounts Committee report on the Government's handling of SEND, the DfE published their intentions on 9 May. In it they respond to the 7 conclusions that the PAC had published: The SEN system is inconsistent, inequitable and not delivering in line with expectations, which inevitably undermines parents’ confidence in … Continue reading Support for children and young people with special educational needs
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