John Roberts
@johngroberts.bsky.social
Deputy news editor at Tes. Dad of 2. SEND parent. john.roberts@tes.com
Schools policy is again the focus of a potential High Court battle. A bid for a judicial review has been filed over the government’s decision not to include a mandatory ban on smartphones in schools. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Legal battle for mandatory school phone ban files with High Court
The claimaints’ call for a judicial review over smartphones in schools argues that DfE guidance does not go far enough to protect pupils
www.tes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Schools policy is again the focus of a potential High Court battle. A bid for a judicial review has been filed over the government’s decision not to include a mandatory ban on smartphones in schools. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
Headteachers' leaders have called for schools who have volunteered to be the first to be inspected by Ofsted to be allowed to withdraw over concerns about changes in the way the watchdog will use data in new inspections. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
‘Major concerns’ over Ofsted data changes
Schools that volunteered to be first for new inspections should be allowed to withdraw because of changes announced by Ofsted just days before the new system begins, say heads’ leaders
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Headteachers' leaders have called for schools who have volunteered to be the first to be inspected by Ofsted to be allowed to withdraw over concerns about changes in the way the watchdog will use data in new inspections. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
How do you persuade single academy trusts with some of the best attainment scores in England to join a MAT, if they’re managing ok financially? And do MATs even want them?
@jabedahmed.bsky.social speaks to heads and trust leaders to find out.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social speaks to heads and trust leaders to find out.
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:49 AM
How do you persuade single academy trusts with some of the best attainment scores in England to join a MAT, if they’re managing ok financially? And do MATs even want them?
@jabedahmed.bsky.social speaks to heads and trust leaders to find out.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social speaks to heads and trust leaders to find out.
Reposted by John Roberts
Excl: Diversity and anti-racism should be embedded into teacher training, according to an open letter from ITT providers.
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Embed diversity and antiracism into teacher training, DfE told
Teacher training providers also call on government to set up a national body for early career and trainee teachers
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Excl: Diversity and anti-racism should be embedded into teacher training, according to an open letter from ITT providers.
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
The number of single-academy trusts has been dropping for years, but some of those that remain are top performers. So how will the government persuade them to merge with MATs, asks @jabedahmed.bsky.social
Can single-academy trusts survive?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
The number of single-academy trusts has been dropping for years, but some of those that remain are top performers. So how will the government persuade them to merge with MATs, asks @jabedahmed.bsky.social
Reposted by John Roberts
The new GCSE in AI could quickly become out of date, the chief of England’s largest exam board has warned.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
AI qualification at risk of rapid obsolescence, warns exam chief
In an exclusive interview, AQA chief Colin Hughes warns that an AI qualification stemming from this week’s curriculum and assessment review may not have a long-term future
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The new GCSE in AI could quickly become out of date, the chief of England’s largest exam board has warned.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Teacher training providers are to call on the government to embed diversity and antiracism into ITT. Exclusive for @tesmagazine.bsky.social by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Embed diversity and antiracism into teacher training, DfE told
Teacher training providers also call on government to set up a national body for early career and trainee teachers
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Teacher training providers are to call on the government to embed diversity and antiracism into ITT. Exclusive for @tesmagazine.bsky.social by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The government will struggle to solve the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities support or close the disadvantage-related attainment gap under its current spending plans, a new policy analysis warns www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Government ‘will struggle to fix SEND crisis by 2029’
The government’s approach to SEND reform is ‘disjointed’ and its ambitions will be restricted by the budget it has set for this parliament, new analysis warns
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The government will struggle to solve the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities support or close the disadvantage-related attainment gap under its current spending plans, a new policy analysis warns www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
In Scotland, @eisunion.bsky.social is recommending that teachers accept a two-year pay offer – leading to an initial 4.25% rise, followed by 3.25% in 2026-27
EIS recommends members accept two-year pay offer
Accepting the teacher pay offer would lead to initial 4.25 per cent rise for Scottish teachers, followed by 3.25 per cent in second year
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:05 AM
In Scotland, @eisunion.bsky.social is recommending that teachers accept a two-year pay offer – leading to an initial 4.25% rise, followed by 3.25% in 2026-27
Reposted by John Roberts
Primary and secondary teachers have been encouraged to apply to the Teacher Reference Group as part of the department’s commitment to “engage teachers in national education policy”.
For @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
For @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE seeks teachers for policy ‘sounding board’
The government is looking for primary and secondary teachers to join the latest cohort of its Teacher Reference Group
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Primary and secondary teachers have been encouraged to apply to the Teacher Reference Group as part of the department’s commitment to “engage teachers in national education policy”.
For @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
For @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Which of the curriculum and assessment review proposals has the DfE rejected or will not implement as prescribed?
There are only a few areas of disagreement - @cerysturner.bsky.social has the lowdown below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There are only a few areas of disagreement - @cerysturner.bsky.social has the lowdown below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Francis review: the recommendations rejected by government
The DfE wants full rather than phased implementation of curriculum reform - from 2028 - and puts the brakes on inclusion of RE in the national curriculum
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Which of the curriculum and assessment review proposals has the DfE rejected or will not implement as prescribed?
There are only a few areas of disagreement - @cerysturner.bsky.social has the lowdown below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There are only a few areas of disagreement - @cerysturner.bsky.social has the lowdown below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Ofsted has revealed what it has learned from more than 100 pilot inspections using its new report card system – @johngroberts.bsky.social breaks down the key insights ⬇️
Ofsted: 7 findings from pilot inspections
The schools watchdog has published findings from its pilot of new report card inspections, along with the changes it plans to make. Here is everything you need to know
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Ofsted has revealed what it has learned from more than 100 pilot inspections using its new report card system – @johngroberts.bsky.social breaks down the key insights ⬇️
Reposted by John Roberts
The curriculum review ‘treats teachers as the experts they are, acknowledges what’s working before rushing to dismantle it, and grounds every recommendation in evidence’, writes MAT chief @moremorrow.bsky.social
Why this curriculum review is a rare thing the sector should savour
After years of policy turbulence, we finally have an evidence-based blueprint for change that trusts teachers as the experts, writes MAT chief executive Dan Morrow
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:38 AM
The curriculum review ‘treats teachers as the experts they are, acknowledges what’s working before rushing to dismantle it, and grounds every recommendation in evidence’, writes MAT chief @moremorrow.bsky.social
The much anticipated curriculum and assessment review is out. The EBacc is to be scrapped, and it calls for a new year 8 English test and an entitlement to triple science for all. Great piece rounding it all up here by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The much anticipated curriculum and assessment review is out. The EBacc is to be scrapped, and it calls for a new year 8 English test and an entitlement to triple science for all. Great piece rounding it all up here by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Reposted by John Roberts
📡 MAT Tracker: Dominic Norrish has been appointed CEO of Unity Schools Partnership following Tim Coulson’s departure to become director general of the DfE’s regions group
Unity Schools Partnership appoints CEO to replace Coulson
Dominic Norrish, previously COO of United Learning, will take up the role following Tim Coulson’s departure to become director general of the DfE’s regions group
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM
📡 MAT Tracker: Dominic Norrish has been appointed CEO of Unity Schools Partnership following Tim Coulson’s departure to become director general of the DfE’s regions group
Reposted by John Roberts
A legal claim against Ofsted's new inspection framework has been thrown out by the courts today.
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Union’s legal challenge of new Ofsted inspections rejected
The NAHT’s bid for a High Court challenge over new Ofsted framework was heard just a week before inspections are due to start
www.tes.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A legal claim against Ofsted's new inspection framework has been thrown out by the courts today.
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The NAHT has lost a bid to bring a High Court legal challenge against Ofsted over the watchdog’s plan for new inspections. Story to follow.
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The NAHT has lost a bid to bring a High Court legal challenge against Ofsted over the watchdog’s plan for new inspections. Story to follow.
The government has recommended a 6.5 per cent pay increase for teachers split across three years. NEU leader Daniel Kebede says this will do "continue to do nothing to address the continued crisis in retention". @tesmagazine.bsky.social story by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE: Teachers should get 6.5% pay rise over three years
The government has told the School Teachers’ Review Body how much teachers should receive up to 2029
www.tes.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The government has recommended a 6.5 per cent pay increase for teachers split across three years. NEU leader Daniel Kebede says this will do "continue to do nothing to address the continued crisis in retention". @tesmagazine.bsky.social story by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE is urged to probe use of persistent disruptive behaviour as a reason for exclusions amid concerns from AP leaders about how schools are using different thresholds to remove students. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE urged to probe ‘persistent disruptive behaviour’ exclusions
Some pupils are being wrongly excluded from school because this vague ‘catch-all’ category is creating inconsistency in the system, warn PRU and AP leaders
www.tes.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
DfE is urged to probe use of persistent disruptive behaviour as a reason for exclusions amid concerns from AP leaders about how schools are using different thresholds to remove students. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
All schools that are not set to be rebuilt should be free from collapse-prone RAAC concrete by the end of this parliament, says @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
Phillipson commits to remove RAAC from schools by 2029
Government announces new timeline for removing collapse-prone concrete from schools as MPs scrutinise its progress
www.tes.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
All schools that are not set to be rebuilt should be free from collapse-prone RAAC concrete by the end of this parliament, says @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
Two years on from the onset of the RAAC crisis, the Commons Education Committee is holding an evidence session on its impact on the school estate.
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Two years on from the onset of the RAAC crisis, the Commons Education Committee is holding an evidence session on its impact on the school estate.
Reposted by John Roberts
The DfE has missed a key teacher pay review deadline, prompting concerns from unions that the process has been ‘undermined’
DfE misses key teacher pay review deadline
Teacher pay review process 'undermined' by the government's late submission of evidence, warn unions
www.tes.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The DfE has missed a key teacher pay review deadline, prompting concerns from unions that the process has been ‘undermined’
Reposted by John Roberts
England’s education system disincentivises schools from focusing on the pupils most in need of help, says a report from former DfE boss Jonathan Slater
Schools 'disincentivised' from helping poorest children
Former DfE permanent secretary calls for major reform, warning that the school system currently fails the pupils most in need of help
www.tes.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
England’s education system disincentivises schools from focusing on the pupils most in need of help, says a report from former DfE boss Jonathan Slater