Headteacher Update
@headteacherupdate.bsky.social
A free magazine and website for UK primary school leaders (and teachers). Weekly ebulletins. A monthly podcast. Regular webinars. Conferences. Lots of best practice articles and case studies as well as news & resources. Posts by @pwhenshaw.bsky.social
Tomorrow is your LAST CHANCE to book Pupil Premium at the Early Bird rate.
This flagship conference is essential for anyone involved in the planning and delivery of Pupil Premium work in schools.
Book your place today to save £80: pupilpremiumconference.com/live/en/page...
This flagship conference is essential for anyone involved in the planning and delivery of Pupil Premium work in schools.
Book your place today to save £80: pupilpremiumconference.com/live/en/page...
December 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Tomorrow is your LAST CHANCE to book Pupil Premium at the Early Bird rate.
This flagship conference is essential for anyone involved in the planning and delivery of Pupil Premium work in schools.
Book your place today to save £80: pupilpremiumconference.com/live/en/page...
This flagship conference is essential for anyone involved in the planning and delivery of Pupil Premium work in schools.
Book your place today to save £80: pupilpremiumconference.com/live/en/page...
Merry Christmas to all our readers! We're now on our Christmas break. We will return in early January. In the meantime, the website has thousands of best practice articles, in-depth downloads, podcasts & much more: www.headteacher-update.com #schools #teachers #education #teaching
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Merry Christmas to all our readers! We're now on our Christmas break. We will return in early January. In the meantime, the website has thousands of best practice articles, in-depth downloads, podcasts & much more: www.headteacher-update.com #schools #teachers #education #teaching
Supporting students with complex trauma or neglect is difficult & harrowing. @thehonesteducator.bsky.social discusses how #safeguarding leads in #schools can provide effective support: buff.ly/p1tNfni (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Responding to complex trauma and neglect - Headteacher Update
How can school safeguarding leads respond to cases of complex trauma and neglect in children?
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December 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Supporting students with complex trauma or neglect is difficult & harrowing. @thehonesteducator.bsky.social discusses how #safeguarding leads in #schools can provide effective support: buff.ly/p1tNfni (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
A culture of #safeguarding must be at the heart of #schools, but what does this look like on the ground & how can DSLs ensure it doesn’t slip? Delyth Lynch advises: buff.ly/6uQZ7vo (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Discussing the tenets of a school culture of safeguarding - Headteacher Update
Creating a culture of safeguarding in schools, including strong leadership, aligned values and open communication
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December 17, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A culture of #safeguarding must be at the heart of #schools, but what does this look like on the ground & how can DSLs ensure it doesn’t slip? Delyth Lynch advises: buff.ly/6uQZ7vo (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
The @headteacherupdate.bsky.social best practice archive offers advice, case studies, tips & ideas covering every aspect of primary #education: buff.ly/S68aZbk #teachers #teaching #education #schools
December 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The @headteacherupdate.bsky.social best practice archive offers advice, case studies, tips & ideas covering every aspect of primary #education: buff.ly/S68aZbk #teachers #teaching #education #schools
Our scenarios illustrate what to consider when dealing with a specific #safeguarding concern in #schools. This time a tutor is worried about neglect. How would you respond? buff.ly/uuJYyID (Access this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Scenario: A tutor is worried about potential neglect - Headteacher Update
This Safeguarding Digest training scenario for school staff focuses on a tutor's concerns about potential neglect
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December 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Our scenarios illustrate what to consider when dealing with a specific #safeguarding concern in #schools. This time a tutor is worried about neglect. How would you respond? buff.ly/uuJYyID (Access this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Safeguarding Digest offers you summaries of a key #safeguarding issue & key questions to use with school staff to keep their understanding up-to-date. This week: buff.ly/6FZ1O5p (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Which safeguarding issues are amplified at Christmas? - Headteacher Update
Every week, Safeguarding Digest offers you a bitesize summary of a key safeguarding issue and key questions to use with school staff to keep their understanding up-to-date. This week: Keeping…
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December 15, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Safeguarding Digest offers you summaries of a key #safeguarding issue & key questions to use with school staff to keep their understanding up-to-date. This week: buff.ly/6FZ1O5p (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest buff.ly/47SIzqG)
A culture of #safeguarding must be at the heart of #schools, but what does this look like on the ground & how can DSLs ensure it doesn’t slip? Delyth Lynch advises: buff.ly/6uQZ7vo (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Discussing the tenets of a school culture of safeguarding - Headteacher Update
Creating a culture of safeguarding in schools, including strong leadership, aligned values and open communication
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
A culture of #safeguarding must be at the heart of #schools, but what does this look like on the ground & how can DSLs ensure it doesn’t slip? Delyth Lynch advises: buff.ly/6uQZ7vo (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
The @headteacherupdate.bsky.social website is free for all: Access to primary #education best practice, case studies, tips, guidance, news analysis, podcasts, webinars, blogs & more: www.headteacher-update.com #teachers #teaching #education #leadership #schools
December 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The @headteacherupdate.bsky.social website is free for all: Access to primary #education best practice, case studies, tips, guidance, news analysis, podcasts, webinars, blogs & more: www.headteacher-update.com #teachers #teaching #education #leadership #schools
The 90-minute #Ofsted call can set the tone for your school inspection. Are you ready? @pkainsworth.bsky.social shares expert tips to help school leaders prepare & make the right impression. Read more: buff.ly/mrPTNzo #schools #teaching #leadership #education
Making the right impression: The 90-minute Ofsted call - Headteacher Update
Discover how school leaders can prepare for Ofsted’s crucial 90-minute call under the new inspection framework
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December 15, 2025 at 9:42 AM
The 90-minute #Ofsted call can set the tone for your school inspection. Are you ready? @pkainsworth.bsky.social shares expert tips to help school leaders prepare & make the right impression. Read more: buff.ly/mrPTNzo #schools #teaching #leadership #education
Every week, more than 40 bereaved #military children enter UK classrooms. How can #schools help them feel safe, supported & able to thrive? Guidance from Scotty’s Little Soldiers for #teachers: buff.ly/xmdmFYA #mentalhealth #pastoralcare
Supporting bereaved military children in schools - Headteacher Update
How teachers and schools can support bereaved military children. Practical strategies from Scotty’s Little Soldiers
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December 15, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Every week, more than 40 bereaved #military children enter UK classrooms. How can #schools help them feel safe, supported & able to thrive? Guidance from Scotty’s Little Soldiers for #teachers: buff.ly/xmdmFYA #mentalhealth #pastoralcare
Coaching conversation approaches can transform staff development, improve #CPD & build trust across your school. Hannah Tyreman – @teacherdevtrust.bsky.social – shares 4 practical ways to bring #coaching skills into everyday conversations in #schools:
Four ways to bring coaching skills to your conversations in schools - Headteacher Update
Discover four practical coaching techniques to enhance staff professional development, foster trust and empower teachers
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December 15, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Coaching conversation approaches can transform staff development, improve #CPD & build trust across your school. Hannah Tyreman – @teacherdevtrust.bsky.social – shares 4 practical ways to bring #coaching skills into everyday conversations in #schools:
Thousands of primary #schools offer #preschool provision, but how can it be structured for maximum impact? Andrew Marsh – @exheadteacher.bsky.social – shares 8 principles for strong preschool-reception links, improving transition & boosting early years outcomes: buff.ly/LkunVh1 #edusky #earlyyears
Working effectively with your in-school pre-school provision - Headteacher Update
Eight practical principles to structure preschool alongside reception for smooth transitions and a strong early years
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December 14, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Thousands of primary #schools offer #preschool provision, but how can it be structured for maximum impact? Andrew Marsh – @exheadteacher.bsky.social – shares 8 principles for strong preschool-reception links, improving transition & boosting early years outcomes: buff.ly/LkunVh1 #edusky #earlyyears
Five methods for fluency in primary maths: Regular rehearsal of key learning is essential to help pupils develop fluency in #maths & lay foundations for further learning. Charley McKay – @hfleducation.bsky.social – explains: buff.ly/TUBUpki #teaching #edusky
Developing fluency in primary maths: Five methods - Headteacher Update
Five methods for developing fluency in primary maths teaching to build solid foundations for pupils’ learning
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December 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Five methods for fluency in primary maths: Regular rehearsal of key learning is essential to help pupils develop fluency in #maths & lay foundations for further learning. Charley McKay – @hfleducation.bsky.social – explains: buff.ly/TUBUpki #teaching #edusky
The new @ofstednews.bsky.social school inspection framework has a golden thread of #inclusion – with a particular focus on four categories of disadvantage. @pkainsworth.bsky.social considers what this means for #schools & their leaders as they prepare for #inspection:
Inclusion and disadvantage: Exploring the golden thread of Ofsted inspection - Headteacher Update
An analysis of Ofsted’s golden thread of inclusion and disadvantage in school inspection & how headteachers can prepare
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December 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The new @ofstednews.bsky.social school inspection framework has a golden thread of #inclusion – with a particular focus on four categories of disadvantage. @pkainsworth.bsky.social considers what this means for #schools & their leaders as they prepare for #inspection:
There have been many changes to the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document (STPCD) in recent years. @ascl-uk.bsky.social specialist @louisehatswell.bsky.social highlights some of the most important & advises #schools on how they can navigate these:
Managing changes to the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document - Headteacher Update
Advice from ASCL for schools on managing updates to the September 2025 DfE School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document
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December 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
There have been many changes to the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document (STPCD) in recent years. @ascl-uk.bsky.social specialist @louisehatswell.bsky.social highlights some of the most important & advises #schools on how they can navigate these:
With #oracy high on the agenda in #schools, Camilla Spurr offers 3 high-impact oracy strategies for #teaching creative thought & deeper cognition & specific communication skills – with links to useful classroom resources: buff.ly/3hJjkl5 #teachers #education
Practical strategies for teaching oracy in the primary school classroom - Headteacher Update
With oracy high on the agenda for the 2028 curriculum reforms, Camilla Spurr offers three high-impact oracy strategies for teaching creative thought and deeper cognition – with links to useful…
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December 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
With #oracy high on the agenda in #schools, Camilla Spurr offers 3 high-impact oracy strategies for #teaching creative thought & deeper cognition & specific communication skills – with links to useful classroom resources: buff.ly/3hJjkl5 #teachers #education
Headteacher Update Podcast: This episode offers advice for #schools on how they can handle parental complaints, including the steps to take, useful de-escalation tips, the reasons behind rising complaints & how to deal with vexatious complaints: buff.ly/l2ZQ4FE #teaching #edusky #education
Headteacher Update Podcast: Dealing with parental complaints - Headteacher Update
A podcast discussion offering practical advice and tips for headteachers on handling school complaints from parents
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December 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Headteacher Update Podcast: This episode offers advice for #schools on how they can handle parental complaints, including the steps to take, useful de-escalation tips, the reasons behind rising complaints & how to deal with vexatious complaints: buff.ly/l2ZQ4FE #teaching #edusky #education
Safeguarding Digest offers you summaries of a key #safeguarding issue & key questions to use with school staff to keep their understanding up-to-date. This week: buff.ly/6FZ1O5p (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Which safeguarding issues are amplified at Christmas? - Headteacher Update
Every week, Safeguarding Digest offers you a bitesize summary of a key safeguarding issue and key questions to use with school staff to keep their understanding up-to-date. This week: Keeping…
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Safeguarding Digest offers you summaries of a key #safeguarding issue & key questions to use with school staff to keep their understanding up-to-date. This week: buff.ly/6FZ1O5p (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest buff.ly/47SIzqG)
What is sexual extortion, how much of a problem is it, and what can #schools do to protect & educate children? Elizabeth Rose explains: buff.ly/QTLKzzI (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
What is sexual extortion and who is most at risk? - Headteacher Update
Ideas for how school safeguarding teams can protect children from falling victim to sexual extortion online
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December 12, 2025 at 11:42 AM
What is sexual extortion, how much of a problem is it, and what can #schools do to protect & educate children? Elizabeth Rose explains: buff.ly/QTLKzzI (Get access to this article via the HTU Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Ahead of the Schools White Paper, @thenfer.bsky.social research has revealed a worrying SEND trend that gets little policy attention: the high-SEND #schools in a system under huge strain. Matt Walker looks at the consequences of the findings:
The high-SEND schools in a system under strain - Headteacher Update
An NFER research project reveals an uneven distribution of SEND children in England’s schools
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December 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Ahead of the Schools White Paper, @thenfer.bsky.social research has revealed a worrying SEND trend that gets little policy attention: the high-SEND #schools in a system under huge strain. Matt Walker looks at the consequences of the findings:
Headteacher Update Podcast: A new episode dissects the revised #Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions #schools can take now to prepare. With practical advice & tips from the amazing @pkainsworth.bsky.social, Anne Peck from @hfleducation.bsky.social & Clare Duffy: buff.ly/EpHd4IF
December 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Headteacher Update Podcast: A new episode dissects the revised #Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions #schools can take now to prepare. With practical advice & tips from the amazing @pkainsworth.bsky.social, Anne Peck from @hfleducation.bsky.social & Clare Duffy: buff.ly/EpHd4IF
How can we develop children’s #oracy skills & what does best practice in primary #schools look like? This 21-page guide dives into all that #teaching oracy entails. With huge thanks to our partners on this project @glassessment.bsky.social. Get your free pdf here: buff.ly/cyZuAf9
December 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
How can we develop children’s #oracy skills & what does best practice in primary #schools look like? This 21-page guide dives into all that #teaching oracy entails. With huge thanks to our partners on this project @glassessment.bsky.social. Get your free pdf here: buff.ly/cyZuAf9
To mark the launch of the Implementing Oracy programme, Neil Mercer, @topsypage.bsky.social & @rethinkingjames.bsky.social from Oracy Cambridge discuss how we can engage students in productive classroom discussion – with 4 practical & concrete ideas: buff.ly/xMOf2VP #teaching #teachers #schools
Implementing oracy: Four practical ideas for your classroom - Headteacher Update
The new oracy framework will help teachers to improve discussions in their classrooms – here are some practical ideas
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December 12, 2025 at 7:42 AM
To mark the launch of the Implementing Oracy programme, Neil Mercer, @topsypage.bsky.social & @rethinkingjames.bsky.social from Oracy Cambridge discuss how we can engage students in productive classroom discussion – with 4 practical & concrete ideas: buff.ly/xMOf2VP #teaching #teachers #schools
Headteacher Update Podcast: In a new episode, we discuss ideas for how primary #schools can maximise the impact of the #teaching team to deliver excellent SEND provision, with great ideas from the amazing @seainclusion.bsky.social – Beth Tanton & Dr Kulvarn Atwal: buff.ly/Rkxj5SV #education
December 12, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Headteacher Update Podcast: In a new episode, we discuss ideas for how primary #schools can maximise the impact of the #teaching team to deliver excellent SEND provision, with great ideas from the amazing @seainclusion.bsky.social – Beth Tanton & Dr Kulvarn Atwal: buff.ly/Rkxj5SV #education