Cerys Turner
@cerysturner.bsky.social
News reporter at Tes. Covering Ofsted, curriculum, teacher training, AI and more.
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
Reposted by Cerys Turner
💷32 multi-academy trust CEOs earned at least £200k in 24/25, with salaries exceeding that of the prime minister.
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
Revealed: What CEOs are paid at the biggest MATs
Tes’ annual review of the salaries of chief executives at the largest multi-academy trusts reveals that a quarter of them had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers
www.tes.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM
💷32 multi-academy trust CEOs earned at least £200k in 24/25, with salaries exceeding that of the prime minister.
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The DfE has finally published long-awaited guidance for schools on gender questioning children:
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Social transition requests should be treated with ‘caution’, DfE says
The government will embed gender guidance for schools within Keeping Children Safe in Education, including guidelines to ensure that single-sex spaces are protected
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
The DfE has finally published long-awaited guidance for schools on gender questioning children:
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
💷32 multi-academy trust CEOs earned at least £200k in 24/25, with salaries exceeding that of the prime minister.
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
Revealed: What CEOs are paid at the biggest MATs
Tes’ annual review of the salaries of chief executives at the largest multi-academy trusts reveals that a quarter of them had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers
www.tes.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM
💷32 multi-academy trust CEOs earned at least £200k in 24/25, with salaries exceeding that of the prime minister.
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
A quarter also had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers, @Jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals in Tes' annual analysis of salaries of chief executives:
The DfE has finally published long-awaited guidance for schools on gender questioning children:
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Social transition requests should be treated with ‘caution’, DfE says
The government will embed gender guidance for schools within Keeping Children Safe in Education, including guidelines to ensure that single-sex spaces are protected
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
The DfE has finally published long-awaited guidance for schools on gender questioning children:
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
- Social transition requests should be treated with caution, esp from primary pupils.
- Separate toilets will be mandatory for boys and girls aged 8 and over.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Analysis from 200 + inspection reports published by Ofsted under a new framework has revealed concerns about the proportion of schools being graded as needs attention on achievement and on disparities between primary and secondary schools in other areas. Full story here www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted ‘needs to urgently review’ inspections over grade disparity
Headteachers’ union experts raise concern about difference between primary and secondary ratings and watchdog’s approach to grading achievement
www.tes.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Analysis from 200 + inspection reports published by Ofsted under a new framework has revealed concerns about the proportion of schools being graded as needs attention on achievement and on disparities between primary and secondary schools in other areas. Full story here www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
🔴 Exclusive: Corporate donations British parties tripled over last three elections
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
Revealed: Corporate donations to British politics have tripled
Influential Labour committee chairs call on government to clean up politics as our new analysis finds record £42 million in company donations ahead of last election
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:47 AM
🔴 Exclusive: Corporate donations British parties tripled over last three elections
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
All secondaries will need inclusion bases under DfE 10-year estates plan.
Will those that don’t already have one be in a position to repurpose/add space?
Plan for primaries is less clear 🤷🏻♀️
Will those that don’t already have one be in a position to repurpose/add space?
Plan for primaries is less clear 🤷🏻♀️
DfE expects every secondary school to have an inclusion base
The government’s 10-year estates plan includes the goal for all secondaries to have dedicated spaces that bridge the gap between mainstream and specialist provision
www.tes.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:18 AM
All secondaries will need inclusion bases under DfE 10-year estates plan.
Will those that don’t already have one be in a position to repurpose/add space?
Plan for primaries is less clear 🤷🏻♀️
Will those that don’t already have one be in a position to repurpose/add space?
Plan for primaries is less clear 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Cerys Turner
DfE expects every secondary school to have an inclusion base as part of its ten year estates plan. These will comprise of support bases set up by trusts and schools and specialist bases commissioned by councils. @tesmagazine.bsky.social story here : www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE expects every secondary school to have an inclusion base
The government’s 10-year estates plan includes the goal for all secondaries to have dedicated spaces that bridge the gap between mainstream and specialist provision
www.tes.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:19 AM
DfE expects every secondary school to have an inclusion base as part of its ten year estates plan. These will comprise of support bases set up by trusts and schools and specialist bases commissioned by councils. @tesmagazine.bsky.social story here : www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Ofsted has been urged to reconsider its decision to evaluate attendance and behaviour as one area.
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted: Heads question fairness of combining attendance and behaviour
Tes analysis shows most schools graded as ‘needs attention’ were only criticised over attendance and not behaviour
www.tes.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Ofsted has been urged to reconsider its decision to evaluate attendance and behaviour as one area.
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Everyone knows Ofsted has got this wrong.
Even Ofsted seem to quietly accept they've got this wrong.
This piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social shows why getting this wrong is so damaging.
Even Ofsted seem to quietly accept they've got this wrong.
This piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social shows why getting this wrong is so damaging.
Does combining attendance and behaviour into a single Ofsted judgement risk ‘punishing’ schools in difficult contexts? @cerysturner.bsky.social investigates the concerns around conflating the two issues ⬇️
Ofsted: Heads question fairness of combining attendance and behaviour
Tes analysis shows most schools graded as ‘needs attention’ were only criticised over attendance and not behaviour
www.tes.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Everyone knows Ofsted has got this wrong.
Even Ofsted seem to quietly accept they've got this wrong.
This piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social shows why getting this wrong is so damaging.
Even Ofsted seem to quietly accept they've got this wrong.
This piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social shows why getting this wrong is so damaging.
Ofsted has been urged to reconsider its decision to evaluate attendance and behaviour as one area.
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted: Heads question fairness of combining attendance and behaviour
Tes analysis shows most schools graded as ‘needs attention’ were only criticised over attendance and not behaviour
www.tes.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Ofsted has been urged to reconsider its decision to evaluate attendance and behaviour as one area.
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Our analysis shows that schools are being marked down for attendance levels, despite a positive impact on behaviour.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
NEW: The govt is writing off 90% of council SEND deficits up to this year.
Buried in the local govt financial settlement, it means existing deficits could be cut by £300 million by 2027/28.
Buried in the local govt financial settlement, it means existing deficits could be cut by £300 million by 2027/28.
February 9, 2026 at 6:40 PM
NEW: The govt is writing off 90% of council SEND deficits up to this year.
Buried in the local govt financial settlement, it means existing deficits could be cut by £300 million by 2027/28.
Buried in the local govt financial settlement, it means existing deficits could be cut by £300 million by 2027/28.
Excl: Councils with the largest SEND deficits are spending over £200m on private special schools this year.
With just weeks until the DfE publishes the schools white paper, independent specialist settings are set to be a hotly contested area of reform.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
With just weeks until the DfE publishes the schools white paper, independent specialist settings are set to be a hotly contested area of reform.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Cash-strapped councils’ spending on private special schools soars
Local authorities with the biggest SEND deficits see their spending on places in independent special schools rise by up to 58 per cent, Tes analysis shows
www.tes.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Excl: Councils with the largest SEND deficits are spending over £200m on private special schools this year.
With just weeks until the DfE publishes the schools white paper, independent specialist settings are set to be a hotly contested area of reform.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
With just weeks until the DfE publishes the schools white paper, independent specialist settings are set to be a hotly contested area of reform.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
"It’s great for us, and not necessarily equitable for the sector as a whole."
@jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals the investment returns of the 20 biggest MATs in 2024-25.
www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/how-much-money-do-mats-make-from-investments
@jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals the investment returns of the 20 biggest MATs in 2024-25.
www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/how-much-money-do-mats-make-from-investments
Revealed: How much the biggest MATs make from investments
The largest multi-academy trusts are generating millions by investing surplus cash, but sector leader warns this must not replace core funding
www.tes.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:55 AM
"It’s great for us, and not necessarily equitable for the sector as a whole."
@jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals the investment returns of the 20 biggest MATs in 2024-25.
www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/how-much-money-do-mats-make-from-investments
@jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals the investment returns of the 20 biggest MATs in 2024-25.
www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/how-much-money-do-mats-make-from-investments
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Positive move led by @naht.org.uk to increase independent scrutiny of Ofsted
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Independent group to monitor Ofsted’s impact on heads’ wellbeing
The NAHT launches advisory group, which will include the watchdog and DfE, amid concerns over new inspection framework
www.tes.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Positive move led by @naht.org.uk to increase independent scrutiny of Ofsted
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Is the primary sector ready for compulsory citizenship education?
@cerysturner.bsky.social has found the ask for primary schools is potentially enormous, and the skills required to teach it extensive.
So what is being proposed and how might schools have to adapt?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@cerysturner.bsky.social has found the ask for primary schools is potentially enormous, and the skills required to teach it extensive.
So what is being proposed and how might schools have to adapt?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Can citizenship be squeezed into a ‘bursting’ primary curriculum?
Citizenship education is to become mandatory in primary schools. But how realistic is it to expect schools to fit a subject ranging from law to finances and media literacy into an already-busy timetab...
www.tes.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Is the primary sector ready for compulsory citizenship education?
@cerysturner.bsky.social has found the ask for primary schools is potentially enormous, and the skills required to teach it extensive.
So what is being proposed and how might schools have to adapt?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@cerysturner.bsky.social has found the ask for primary schools is potentially enormous, and the skills required to teach it extensive.
So what is being proposed and how might schools have to adapt?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Citizenship is being made statutory in English primary schools - but what does this mean in practice and are teachers and school leaders ready for it? Great piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Can citizenship be squeezed into a ‘bursting’ primary curriculum?
Citizenship education is to become mandatory in primary schools. But how realistic is it to expect schools to fit a subject ranging from law to finances and media literacy into an already-busy timetab...
www.tes.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Citizenship is being made statutory in English primary schools - but what does this mean in practice and are teachers and school leaders ready for it? Great piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
NEW: DfE, Ofsted & @naht.org.uk are working together to monitor how inspections are impacting school leaders.
It comes after the union's failed legal bid against the school watchdog last year. NAHT hopes it will lead to "more protection in the longer term".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
It comes after the union's failed legal bid against the school watchdog last year. NAHT hopes it will lead to "more protection in the longer term".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Independent group to monitor Ofsted’s impact on heads’ wellbeing
The NAHT launches advisory group, which will include the watchdog and DfE, amid concerns over new inspection framework
magazine-cms.tes.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM
NEW: DfE, Ofsted & @naht.org.uk are working together to monitor how inspections are impacting school leaders.
It comes after the union's failed legal bid against the school watchdog last year. NAHT hopes it will lead to "more protection in the longer term".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
It comes after the union's failed legal bid against the school watchdog last year. NAHT hopes it will lead to "more protection in the longer term".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The academy trust sector's underlying financial position is "fragile", according to a new report.
📉“Challenges such as rising costs and continuing uncertainty are already weighing on confidence and limiting trusts’ ability to plan, invest, and grow."
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
📉“Challenges such as rising costs and continuing uncertainty are already weighing on confidence and limiting trusts’ ability to plan, invest, and grow."
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
February 5, 2026 at 1:05 PM
The academy trust sector's underlying financial position is "fragile", according to a new report.
📉“Challenges such as rising costs and continuing uncertainty are already weighing on confidence and limiting trusts’ ability to plan, invest, and grow."
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
📉“Challenges such as rising costs and continuing uncertainty are already weighing on confidence and limiting trusts’ ability to plan, invest, and grow."
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Baroness (Estelle) Morris: “We cannot have a schools policy that has in it an acceptance that some schools will wither on the vine and fail.”
Baroness (Diana) Barran: "I just think it is about respecting parent choice.”
Background: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Baroness (Diana) Barran: "I just think it is about respecting parent choice.”
Background: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
February 4, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Baroness (Estelle) Morris: “We cannot have a schools policy that has in it an acceptance that some schools will wither on the vine and fail.”
Baroness (Diana) Barran: "I just think it is about respecting parent choice.”
Background: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Baroness (Diana) Barran: "I just think it is about respecting parent choice.”
Background: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
NEU policy and Green education policy are “very much aligned”, @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social tells @zackpolanski.bsky.social in his latest pod.
Is the country's largest edu union going Green? The NEU is not politically affiliated, but recent member polling suggests they are warming to the party.
Is the country's largest edu union going Green? The NEU is not politically affiliated, but recent member polling suggests they are warming to the party.
February 4, 2026 at 12:31 PM
NEU policy and Green education policy are “very much aligned”, @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social tells @zackpolanski.bsky.social in his latest pod.
Is the country's largest edu union going Green? The NEU is not politically affiliated, but recent member polling suggests they are warming to the party.
Is the country's largest edu union going Green? The NEU is not politically affiliated, but recent member polling suggests they are warming to the party.
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The government has not committed to changing policy to mandate home-to-school transport for breakfast clubs
Minister does not commit to transport for school breakfast clubs
In response to fears about pupils being denied access to free school breakfast clubs, early education minister Olivia Bailey would not be drawn on the likelihood of a policy change
www.tes.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:35 PM
The government has not committed to changing policy to mandate home-to-school transport for breakfast clubs
The govt has focused heavily on white working-class boys - improving outcomes for this group will feature heavily in the WP.
But it is their female peers who see the sharpest drop at GCSE. A great investigation from @charlottesantry.bsky.social showing how they have slipped through the net:
But it is their female peers who see the sharpest drop at GCSE. A great investigation from @charlottesantry.bsky.social showing how they have slipped through the net:
Exclusive: School leaders call for targeted action for white working-class girls, as analysis shows fewer pass English and Maths compared to pre-Covid.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
White disadvantaged girls see sharpest drop at GCSE
Leaders call for the government to set out targeted action amid fears that girls are being overlooked in the drive to improve white working-class pupils’ outcomes
www.tes.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:53 AM
The govt has focused heavily on white working-class boys - improving outcomes for this group will feature heavily in the WP.
But it is their female peers who see the sharpest drop at GCSE. A great investigation from @charlottesantry.bsky.social showing how they have slipped through the net:
But it is their female peers who see the sharpest drop at GCSE. A great investigation from @charlottesantry.bsky.social showing how they have slipped through the net:
Should the national year of reading be equally focused on parents as it is on children?
📚Findings from @parentkind.bsky.social & shared with Tes, show that more than a quarter of parents have avoided reading with their children because of their own reading ability:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
📚Findings from @parentkind.bsky.social & shared with Tes, show that more than a quarter of parents have avoided reading with their children because of their own reading ability:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Lack of home reading prompts school concerns over language skills
A quarter of parents avoid reading to their children because they lack belief in their own ability, finds Parentkind poll, as schools contend with ‘weaker language foundations’
www.tes.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Should the national year of reading be equally focused on parents as it is on children?
📚Findings from @parentkind.bsky.social & shared with Tes, show that more than a quarter of parents have avoided reading with their children because of their own reading ability:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
📚Findings from @parentkind.bsky.social & shared with Tes, show that more than a quarter of parents have avoided reading with their children because of their own reading ability:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
NEW: @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social says he has concerns about Ofsted’s decision to inspect the school & calls the attention “entirely unwarranted”.
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
‘No evidence’ of political bias at Bristol school, Ofsted says
Bristol Brunel Academy was inspected after the postponement of a visit by a Jewish MP raised concerns about political pressure
www.tes.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
NEW: @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social says he has concerns about Ofsted’s decision to inspect the school & calls the attention “entirely unwarranted”.
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...