John Roberts
@johngroberts.bsky.social
SEND and inclusion editor at Tes. Dad of 2. SEND parent. john.roberts@tes.com
Reposted by John Roberts
This is a particularly important story from @johngroberts.bsky.social. Recruitment into the Specialist sector really does need a coherent strategic vision.
Labour’s promise to deliver 6,500 more teachers could rely on recruitment to AP and special schools – but that will be a challenge, experts tell @johngroberts.bsky.social
How specialist staff shortages threaten Labour’s 6,500 teachers target
The government’s key manifesto pledge to deliver 6,500 more teachers could hinge on recruitment into special schools and AP: here’s why that’s a challenge
www.tes.com
February 20, 2026 at 8:21 AM
This is a particularly important story from @johngroberts.bsky.social. Recruitment into the Specialist sector really does need a coherent strategic vision.
Reposted by John Roberts
Exclusive: More than a quarter of schools are yet to get an AI-generated attendance target that the DfE said every school was set last term, findings suggest
AI attendance targets yet to reach many schools
Findings are further proof that the government rollout of AI-generated attendance targets for individual schools has been ‘botched’, says leaders’ union
www.tes.com
February 20, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Exclusive: More than a quarter of schools are yet to get an AI-generated attendance target that the DfE said every school was set last term, findings suggest
Independent special schools will be subject to national price bands in a government clampdown on “spiralling” fees. Latest details to emerge from the much trailed White Paper on SEND reform. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE promises ‘crackdown’ on spiralling private special school fees
National standards and price bands to be introduced for independent special schools as part of government SEND reforms
www.tes.com
February 20, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Independent special schools will be subject to national price bands in a government clampdown on “spiralling” fees. Latest details to emerge from the much trailed White Paper on SEND reform. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Labour’s promise to deliver 6,500 more teachers could rely on recruitment to AP and special schools – but that will be a challenge, experts tell @johngroberts.bsky.social
How specialist staff shortages threaten Labour’s 6,500 teachers target
The government’s key manifesto pledge to deliver 6,500 more teachers could hinge on recruitment into special schools and AP: here’s why that’s a challenge
www.tes.com
February 20, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Labour’s promise to deliver 6,500 more teachers could rely on recruitment to AP and special schools – but that will be a challenge, experts tell @johngroberts.bsky.social
Reposted by John Roberts
Interesting comments as we head towards a White Paper expected to say a lot about schools being in trusts...
February 19, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Interesting comments as we head towards a White Paper expected to say a lot about schools being in trusts...
Reposted by John Roberts
Major 'leaks' of huge changes for schools - not fleshed out enough to provide any certainty or enable practical thought - during half term is really, really poor.
February 19, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Major 'leaks' of huge changes for schools - not fleshed out enough to provide any certainty or enable practical thought - during half term is really, really poor.
Suella Braverman has been appointed as Reform UK’s spokesperson for education and equalities. @tesmagazine.bsky.social story by @jabedahmed.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Suella Braverman appointed Reform UK education spokesperson
Former Tory minister, who was twice sacked as home secretary under Conservative governments, claims schools are facing ‘a quiet crisis’
www.tes.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Suella Braverman has been appointed as Reform UK’s spokesperson for education and equalities. @tesmagazine.bsky.social story by @jabedahmed.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
What does Ofsted mean by ‘foundational knowledge’? And how can schools show that they are delivering it? @greeborunner.bsky.social offers some answers
What schools need to understand about foundational knowledge
The renewed Ofsted framework refers to foundational knowledge. What is it, and how can schools demonstrate that they are providing it?
www.tes.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:35 AM
What does Ofsted mean by ‘foundational knowledge’? And how can schools show that they are delivering it? @greeborunner.bsky.social offers some answers
Teachers should respond to social transition requests with “caution”, according to planned government guidance for schools on gender-questioning children. 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 13, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Teachers should respond to social transition requests with “caution”, according to planned government guidance for schools on gender-questioning children. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive: Ofsted urged to review framework amid concerns about disparity between primary and secondary school grades and schools serving disadvantaged communities being "penalised unfairly" on achievement. 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 13, 2026 at 7:17 AM
Exclusive: Ofsted urged to review framework amid concerns about disparity between primary and secondary school grades and schools serving disadvantaged communities being "penalised unfairly" on achievement. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
1 in 4 leaders at England’s largest academy trusts had a bigger proportional pay rise than teachers last year, a @tesmagazine.bsky.social analysis reveals.
Leaders at the 68 trusts running 25 or more schools received a combined salary of at least £13.6 million in 2024-25. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Leaders at the 68 trusts running 25 or more schools received a combined salary of at least £13.6 million in 2024-25. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
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 7:13 AM
1 in 4 leaders at England’s largest academy trusts had a bigger proportional pay rise than teachers last year, a @tesmagazine.bsky.social analysis reveals.
Leaders at the 68 trusts running 25 or more schools received a combined salary of at least £13.6 million in 2024-25. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Leaders at the 68 trusts running 25 or more schools received a combined salary of at least £13.6 million in 2024-25. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
What would happen if all schools stopped setting homework? How does a leader's life experience shape their leadership style? We tackle these topics and more in our latest Leaders' Briefing newsletter, exclusively on LinkedIn.
➡️ Subscribe here: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
➡️ Subscribe here: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
February 12, 2026 at 3:52 PM
What would happen if all schools stopped setting homework? How does a leader's life experience shape their leadership style? We tackle these topics and more in our latest Leaders' Briefing newsletter, exclusively on LinkedIn.
➡️ Subscribe here: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
➡️ Subscribe here: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by John Roberts
The disadvantage gap has narrowed at A level, according to new DfE data that also shows a shrinking gender gap
A-level disadvantage gap narrows slightly
DfE's 16-18 performance data shows how the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers has changed in recent years, as well as other key trends
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:05 PM
The disadvantage gap has narrowed at A level, according to new DfE data that also shows a shrinking gender gap
Reposted by John Roberts
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 John Roberts
The government has published planned new gender guidance for schools, including guidelines on protecting single-sex spaces
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 4:44 PM
The government has published planned new gender guidance for schools, including guidelines on protecting single-sex spaces
Reposted by John Roberts
"there is no underlying theory of improvement or, indeed, theory of change"
A very clear critique of RISE here from @leoracruddas.bsky.social - well worth spending some time going through her argument.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
A very clear critique of RISE here from @leoracruddas.bsky.social - well worth spending some time going through her argument.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
‘There is a fundamental muddle with the design of RISE’
The interim evaluation of the government’s RISE school improvement programme indicates some critical challenges for the scheme that need to be addressed, argues Leora Cruddas
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:54 AM
"there is no underlying theory of improvement or, indeed, theory of change"
A very clear critique of RISE here from @leoracruddas.bsky.social - well worth spending some time going through her argument.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
A very clear critique of RISE here from @leoracruddas.bsky.social - well worth spending some time going through her argument.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by John Roberts
The government should introduce national standards for alternative provision, which Ofsted could use to inspect settings, says the New Schools Network report
Call to create new national standards for AP
Report warns that delaying the pipeline of new AP free schools risks more students being placed in unregistered alternative provision
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:05 PM
The government should introduce national standards for alternative provision, which Ofsted could use to inspect settings, says the New Schools Network report
The government should create new national standards for alternative provision and set an expectation that all students in the sector are registered at a state school, according to a new report by the New Schools Network. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Call to create new national standards for AP
Report warns that delaying the pipeline of new AP free schools risks more students being placed in unregistered alternative provision
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The government should create new national standards for alternative provision and set an expectation that all students in the sector are registered at a state school, according to a new report by the New Schools Network. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
‘The early evidence from the interim process evaluation reveals a set of structural, cultural and operational challenges that risk undermining the RISE programme’s potential,’ writes @leoracruddas.bsky.social of @cstvoice.bsky.social
‘There is a fundamental muddle with the design of RISE’
The interim evaluation of the government’s RISE school improvement programme indicates some critical challenges for the scheme that need to be addressed, argues Leora Cruddas
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:35 AM
‘The early evidence from the interim process evaluation reveals a set of structural, cultural and operational challenges that risk undermining the RISE programme’s potential,’ writes @leoracruddas.bsky.social of @cstvoice.bsky.social
In this @tesmagazine.bsky.social investigation @jabedahmed.bsky.social assesses the impact of a Department for Education crackdown on "outlier" executive pay, in which 37 trusts were told in 2023 to justify their CEO salaries. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
‘Outlier’ CEO pay flattens after DfE crackdown
But leaders’ pay still varies hugely at trusts told to justify their pay decisions - from £25 per pupil to £331, Tes analysis reveals
www.tes.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:44 AM
In this @tesmagazine.bsky.social investigation @jabedahmed.bsky.social assesses the impact of a Department for Education crackdown on "outlier" executive pay, in which 37 trusts were told in 2023 to justify their CEO salaries. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
What does the government’s new estates strategy mean for schools? @ellencph.bsky.social breaks down the details of the 10-year plan
New school estates strategy: all you need to know
Today the government unveiled an ambitious 10-year plan to improve crumbling school buildings and future-proof them for the decades to come. Tes breaks down the details
www.tes.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:06 PM
What does the government’s new estates strategy mean for schools? @ellencph.bsky.social breaks down the details of the 10-year plan
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 John Roberts
Significant risks from the collapse-prone RAAC concrete remain across the UK’s ageing school buildings, warns education committee
RAAC crisis in schools demands permanent fixes, MPs warn
Significant risks remain across ageing school buildings – and that affects pupils’ learning and wellbeing, warns education committee
www.tes.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Significant risks from the collapse-prone RAAC concrete remain across the UK’s ageing school buildings, warns education committee
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...
Education select committee asks raft of questions of DfE on the definition and plan for its manifesto pledge to hire 6,500 new teachers. By @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE under pressure over its 6,500 new teachers pledge
The chair of education committee demands details on Labour’s progress towards achieving its manifesto pledge to recruit thousands more teachers
www.tes.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Education select committee asks raft of questions of DfE on the definition and plan for its manifesto pledge to hire 6,500 new teachers. By @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
