Rhi Storer
@rhistorer.bsky.social
Policy Correspondent | rhi.storer@newstatesman.co.uk
🚨 Exclusive: In a parliamentary question, the Department for Education confirmed it had not assessed how benefit reforms would impact its school readiness target.
Many teachers who spoke to me said it was "short sighted" to not do this.
Read more: schoolsweek.co.uk/benefits-cut...
Many teachers who spoke to me said it was "short sighted" to not do this.
Read more: schoolsweek.co.uk/benefits-cut...
Benefits cuts threaten school-readiness target
Starmer wants 75% of children school-ready by 2028. Benefit cuts put that in jeopardy
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 16, 2025 at 1:36 PM
🚨 Exclusive: In a parliamentary question, the Department for Education confirmed it had not assessed how benefit reforms would impact its school readiness target.
Many teachers who spoke to me said it was "short sighted" to not do this.
Read more: schoolsweek.co.uk/benefits-cut...
Many teachers who spoke to me said it was "short sighted" to not do this.
Read more: schoolsweek.co.uk/benefits-cut...
Former schools minister Sir Nick Gibb has been recruited as a strategic adviser by a company that sells pouches to lock away children’s phones.
Read more below with @schoolsweek.bsky.social: schoolsweek.co.uk/ex-minister-...
Read more below with @schoolsweek.bsky.social: schoolsweek.co.uk/ex-minister-...
Ex-minister Nick Gibb to advise phone pouch firm
Former Conservative politician becomes strategy adviser to American firm Yondr
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Former schools minister Sir Nick Gibb has been recruited as a strategic adviser by a company that sells pouches to lock away children’s phones.
Read more below with @schoolsweek.bsky.social: schoolsweek.co.uk/ex-minister-...
Read more below with @schoolsweek.bsky.social: schoolsweek.co.uk/ex-minister-...
A career first for me! Delighted to see myself and @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social appear in this afternoon's influential @politico.eu London Playbook newsletter for our story on primary schools dropping out of the government's free breakfast clubs
April 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A career first for me! Delighted to see myself and @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social appear in this afternoon's influential @politico.eu London Playbook newsletter for our story on primary schools dropping out of the government's free breakfast clubs
Reposted by Rhi Storer
Great scoop here from @lydiach.bsky.social - Ofsted is considering whether to rename its proposed 'secure' grade
There are concerns it's not obvious to parents what it means or where it sits on the five-point scale
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-looks...
There are concerns it's not obvious to parents what it means or where it sits on the five-point scale
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-looks...
Ofsted looks at renaming new ‘secure’ grade
Watchdog has been warned parents may not know where the word fits on its proposed new sliding scale
schoolsweek.co.uk
April 4, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Great scoop here from @lydiach.bsky.social - Ofsted is considering whether to rename its proposed 'secure' grade
There are concerns it's not obvious to parents what it means or where it sits on the five-point scale
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-looks...
There are concerns it's not obvious to parents what it means or where it sits on the five-point scale
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-looks...
ICYMI: School caterers warn a return to the school meal standards of the 1990s is on the cards as schools grapple with inflationary costs.
Leaders who spoke to me say they are facing pressures from NIC rises and inflation costs. Read more below...
schoolsweek.co.uk/outsourced-c...
Leaders who spoke to me say they are facing pressures from NIC rises and inflation costs. Read more below...
schoolsweek.co.uk/outsourced-c...
Outsourced contract rises hit school catering budgets
Hard-pressed schools are warning of extra pressures from rising costs of outsourced contracts as with new national insurance hikes, minimum wages and food costs
schoolsweek.co.uk
April 7, 2025 at 8:29 AM
ICYMI: School caterers warn a return to the school meal standards of the 1990s is on the cards as schools grapple with inflationary costs.
Leaders who spoke to me say they are facing pressures from NIC rises and inflation costs. Read more below...
schoolsweek.co.uk/outsourced-c...
Leaders who spoke to me say they are facing pressures from NIC rises and inflation costs. Read more below...
schoolsweek.co.uk/outsourced-c...
🗣️ I’m here at The Speaking Summit in Bloomsbury with @schoolsweek.bsky.social.
Come say hello if you spot me.
@kateparadine.bsky.social tells the room Oracy is crucial in schools.
Come say hello if you spot me.
@kateparadine.bsky.social tells the room Oracy is crucial in schools.
March 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
🗣️ I’m here at The Speaking Summit in Bloomsbury with @schoolsweek.bsky.social.
Come say hello if you spot me.
@kateparadine.bsky.social tells the room Oracy is crucial in schools.
Come say hello if you spot me.
@kateparadine.bsky.social tells the room Oracy is crucial in schools.
Looks like there are heated discussions between MPs and senior education leaders over Labour’s breakfast club scheme 👀
The complaints about low funding rates are OTT given the generosity of the funding compared to the previous scheme.
March 25, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Looks like there are heated discussions between MPs and senior education leaders over Labour’s breakfast club scheme 👀
🏫 New from me: The odds of year 11 pupils achieving a grade five in English and Maths almost double if their attendance is over 95 per cent, government research suggests
schoolsweek.co.uk/95-attendanc...
schoolsweek.co.uk/95-attendanc...
95%+ attendance almost doubles odds of GCSE pass
DfE research finds missing just 10 days of year 11 halves the chance of a grade 5 in English and maths
schoolsweek.co.uk
March 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
🏫 New from me: The odds of year 11 pupils achieving a grade five in English and Maths almost double if their attendance is over 95 per cent, government research suggests
schoolsweek.co.uk/95-attendanc...
schoolsweek.co.uk/95-attendanc...
Spotted this evening in Birmingham
March 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Spotted this evening in Birmingham
Day two of #ASCL2025 conference here in Liverpool and @pepediiasio.bsky.social draws laughs from crowd re: Ofsted.
He says the last thing edu needs is an inspection system that “intensifies pressures."
"It’s a far cry from the Nando’s-style five-point scale Ofsted is proposing." 🐔
He says the last thing edu needs is an inspection system that “intensifies pressures."
"It’s a far cry from the Nando’s-style five-point scale Ofsted is proposing." 🐔
March 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Day two of #ASCL2025 conference here in Liverpool and @pepediiasio.bsky.social draws laughs from crowd re: Ofsted.
He says the last thing edu needs is an inspection system that “intensifies pressures."
"It’s a far cry from the Nando’s-style five-point scale Ofsted is proposing." 🐔
He says the last thing edu needs is an inspection system that “intensifies pressures."
"It’s a far cry from the Nando’s-style five-point scale Ofsted is proposing." 🐔
Headteachers laugh at Sir Martin Oliver today at @ascl-uk.bsky.social for saying they shouldn’t be doing extra work for Ofsted 👀
He accused his critics of wanting lower accountability with the proposed new report card system 📚
He accused his critics of wanting lower accountability with the proposed new report card system 📚
March 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Headteachers laugh at Sir Martin Oliver today at @ascl-uk.bsky.social for saying they shouldn’t be doing extra work for Ofsted 👀
He accused his critics of wanting lower accountability with the proposed new report card system 📚
He accused his critics of wanting lower accountability with the proposed new report card system 📚
👩🏫 I will be attending the ASCL conference tomorrow and Saturday in Liverpool with @schoolsweek.bsky.social
🗣️ Are you attending? Would you like to chat to me about something urgent in your MAT or school? Let me know as always: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk. My DMs are open #SENDsky #edusky
🗣️ Are you attending? Would you like to chat to me about something urgent in your MAT or school? Let me know as always: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk. My DMs are open #SENDsky #edusky
March 14, 2025 at 9:20 AM
👩🏫 I will be attending the ASCL conference tomorrow and Saturday in Liverpool with @schoolsweek.bsky.social
🗣️ Are you attending? Would you like to chat to me about something urgent in your MAT or school? Let me know as always: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk. My DMs are open #SENDsky #edusky
🗣️ Are you attending? Would you like to chat to me about something urgent in your MAT or school? Let me know as always: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk. My DMs are open #SENDsky #edusky
Reposted by Rhi Storer
Exclusive: Councils have been given ministerial approval to seize more than £82 million funding from their mainstream schools to prop up widening SEND deficits
Councils seize record £82m from schools for high needs
Schools say top slice is 'devastating and dangerous' for their budgets
buff.ly
March 14, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Exclusive: Councils have been given ministerial approval to seize more than £82 million funding from their mainstream schools to prop up widening SEND deficits
Reposted by Rhi Storer
Exclusive: School leaders are turning away SEND pupils and the practice ‘needs calling out’, the ASCL union head has said
Bosses must adopt ‘ethical’ approaches and become ‘models for the next generation’
buff.ly/rF3YG5U
Bosses must adopt ‘ethical’ approaches and become ‘models for the next generation’
buff.ly/rF3YG5U
ASCL head: Leaders turning away SEND kids need 'calling out'
School leaders are turning away SEND pupils and the practice 'needs calling out', the ASCL union head has said, calling for more 'ethical' approaches
buff.ly
March 14, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Exclusive: School leaders are turning away SEND pupils and the practice ‘needs calling out’, the ASCL union head has said
Bosses must adopt ‘ethical’ approaches and become ‘models for the next generation’
buff.ly/rF3YG5U
Bosses must adopt ‘ethical’ approaches and become ‘models for the next generation’
buff.ly/rF3YG5U
New from me: Jane Wilson will replace Rob Tarn as the new chief executive officer at Northern Education Trust (NET).
“I feel tremendously honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the trust on the next stage of our journey,” she said.
schoolsweek.co.uk/northern-edu...
“I feel tremendously honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the trust on the next stage of our journey,” she said.
schoolsweek.co.uk/northern-edu...
Northern Education Trust appoints new CEO
Jane Wilson is set to replace Rob Tarn CBE as the new chief executive officer at Northern Education Trust (NET)
schoolsweek.co.uk
March 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
New from me: Jane Wilson will replace Rob Tarn as the new chief executive officer at Northern Education Trust (NET).
“I feel tremendously honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the trust on the next stage of our journey,” she said.
schoolsweek.co.uk/northern-edu...
“I feel tremendously honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the trust on the next stage of our journey,” she said.
schoolsweek.co.uk/northern-edu...
ICYMI: Teaching has become more difficult because of a rise in pupils starting school with poor speech and language skills, according to a new poll.
Teachers surveyed - 93 per cent - believe the public do not understand or comprehend the “crisis” in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/more-childre...
Teachers surveyed - 93 per cent - believe the public do not understand or comprehend the “crisis” in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/more-childre...
Teachers report poorer early speech and language skills
And most say this makes their job harder, poll finds
schoolsweek.co.uk
March 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
ICYMI: Teaching has become more difficult because of a rise in pupils starting school with poor speech and language skills, according to a new poll.
Teachers surveyed - 93 per cent - believe the public do not understand or comprehend the “crisis” in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/more-childre...
Teachers surveyed - 93 per cent - believe the public do not understand or comprehend the “crisis” in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/more-childre...
✍🏻 I listened to today's parliamentary edu committee for @schoolsweek.bsky.social on solving the SEND crisis.
MPs will be hearing from Annamarie Hassall, CEO of Nasen, and @mmulholland.bsky.social SEND & inclusion specialist at the ASCL, and other witnesses.
Here are the top highlights...
MPs will be hearing from Annamarie Hassall, CEO of Nasen, and @mmulholland.bsky.social SEND & inclusion specialist at the ASCL, and other witnesses.
Here are the top highlights...
March 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
✍🏻 I listened to today's parliamentary edu committee for @schoolsweek.bsky.social on solving the SEND crisis.
MPs will be hearing from Annamarie Hassall, CEO of Nasen, and @mmulholland.bsky.social SEND & inclusion specialist at the ASCL, and other witnesses.
Here are the top highlights...
MPs will be hearing from Annamarie Hassall, CEO of Nasen, and @mmulholland.bsky.social SEND & inclusion specialist at the ASCL, and other witnesses.
Here are the top highlights...
Reposted by Rhi Storer
I’ve been digging into the quality of EHCPs, plans that parents are dragged through court sometimes to obtain, and that are bankrupting councils
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
Special investigation: Interventions lacking evidence, copy and paste plans, health and social care missing - Schools Week reveals how EHCPs are failing vulnerable children
Investigation: How EHCPs fail our most vulnerable children
England now spends nearly £11 billion providing education for children with additional needs. But what does the funding in EHCPs actually get spent on?
buff.ly
March 7, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I’ve been digging into the quality of EHCPs, plans that parents are dragged through court sometimes to obtain, and that are bankrupting councils
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
Reposted by Rhi Storer
Let's be clear: the idea that breakfast clubs would adequately mitigate the impact of the two-child limit is absolute bollocks.
The average household hit by the two-child limit loses out on roughly £3,800 a year. They're not currently spending that on coco pops.
The average household hit by the two-child limit loses out on roughly £3,800 a year. They're not currently spending that on coco pops.
February 23, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Let's be clear: the idea that breakfast clubs would adequately mitigate the impact of the two-child limit is absolute bollocks.
The average household hit by the two-child limit loses out on roughly £3,800 a year. They're not currently spending that on coco pops.
The average household hit by the two-child limit loses out on roughly £3,800 a year. They're not currently spending that on coco pops.
ICYMI: Here's my first investigation with @schoolsweek.bsky.social. I found councils have children on huge waiting times to secure full-time education after being excluded.
Seven councils had children waiting six months or more - 30x longer than the law demands.
schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-fai...
Seven councils had children waiting six months or more - 30x longer than the law demands.
schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-fai...
Excluded children: Councils failing in duty to find places
Councils across the country are routinely failing in their legal duty to provide full-time education for excluded pupils within six days, Schools Week has found
schoolsweek.co.uk
March 4, 2025 at 10:54 AM
ICYMI: Here's my first investigation with @schoolsweek.bsky.social. I found councils have children on huge waiting times to secure full-time education after being excluded.
Seven councils had children waiting six months or more - 30x longer than the law demands.
schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-fai...
Seven councils had children waiting six months or more - 30x longer than the law demands.
schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-fai...
In the office today with @schoolsweek.bsky.social. If you're a headteacher or education leader with a story feel free to pop over a DM to me...
#edusky #education #KS2 #KS3
#edusky #education #KS2 #KS3
February 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM
In the office today with @schoolsweek.bsky.social. If you're a headteacher or education leader with a story feel free to pop over a DM to me...
#edusky #education #KS2 #KS3
#edusky #education #KS2 #KS3
Reposted by Rhi Storer
Good to see the Beeb following up our stories about Stoke - the first big PFI schools contract to end, and it’s going terribly badly
Does not bode well for these deals starting to wind down across the country
schoolsweek.co.uk/pfi-disputes...
Does not bode well for these deals starting to wind down across the country
schoolsweek.co.uk/pfi-disputes...
February 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Good to see the Beeb following up our stories about Stoke - the first big PFI schools contract to end, and it’s going terribly badly
Does not bode well for these deals starting to wind down across the country
schoolsweek.co.uk/pfi-disputes...
Does not bode well for these deals starting to wind down across the country
schoolsweek.co.uk/pfi-disputes...
Good morning Bluesky! As always looking to speak to headteachers and education leaders about a few stories in the pipeline. Maybe you're the right person to ask? 🧑🏫
Get in touch: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk
#edsky #education #KS3 #KS2
Get in touch: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk
#edsky #education #KS3 #KS2
February 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Good morning Bluesky! As always looking to speak to headteachers and education leaders about a few stories in the pipeline. Maybe you're the right person to ask? 🧑🏫
Get in touch: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk
#edsky #education #KS3 #KS2
Get in touch: rhi.storer@schoolsweek.co.uk
#edsky #education #KS3 #KS2
Reposted by Rhi Storer
Councils will soon get wide-ranging new duties to check pupils not in school are getting a suitable education
But do they even have the capacity to do this? @rhistorer.bsky.social investigates …
But do they even have the capacity to do this? @rhistorer.bsky.social investigates …
Exclusive: Proposals to give councils more power to check on pupils not in school will be 'significantly insufficient' unless they get funding to build capacity – with some 'hollowed-out' authorities having no dedicated home education officers
buff.ly
January 24, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Councils will soon get wide-ranging new duties to check pupils not in school are getting a suitable education
But do they even have the capacity to do this? @rhistorer.bsky.social investigates …
But do they even have the capacity to do this? @rhistorer.bsky.social investigates …