Ruth Lucas
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ruthlucas.bsky.social
Ruth Lucas
@ruthlucas.bsky.social
Reporter at Schools Week, covering behaviour, attendance, children's rights and some SEND. Former Local Democracy Reporter
Another big government announcement for schools, and more questions over how it will be funded and resourced

We looked into how many 'inclusion bases' already exist within schools today...
February 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
Exclusive: Fewer than one in 30 teachers and leaders say their school uses suspensions excessively, despite fresh government pressure on leaders to keep more pupils in school
schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-...
We don't use suspensions too much, say most school staff
Polling shows staff are at odds with government as it looks to keep more suspended pupils in school
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 12:34 PM
An important development from last week's announcement of the upcoming suspensions guidance.

The DfE has told Schools Week it will consult on the best ways to record internal exclusions as it encourages more suspensions to stay in-school.
Exclusive: Schools could be required to record internal exclusions under new guidance that will encourage headteachers to only send pupils home for the most serious cases of poor behaviour and violence
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-coul...
Schools could be required to record internal exclusions
Government looks to collect data as it urges schools to send fewer children home
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Exclusive: The government appears to lack a clear picture of which schools are defying its expectation that they should operate a 32.5-hour week, after dozens of schools suggested data on their school week was 'inaccurate'

schoolsweek.co.uk/dodgy-dfe-da...
Schools suggest DfE data on 32.5 hour week is 'inaccurate'
The government appears to lack a clear picture of which schools are defying its expectation that they should operate a 32.5-hour week.
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Good to see the DfE admit the use of internal suspensions are "informal and inconsistently applied"

Our investigation on the practice revealed secondary schools that use internal suspensions were isolating around a fifth of their pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/only-suspend...
Only suspend pupils for most serious behaviour, says DfE
New suspensions guidance coming with white paper, but headteachers to retain autonomy
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
Ofsted has found 'no evidence' to substantiate concerns about political impartiality at a school that postponed the visit of an MP due to planned pro-Palestine protests

schoolsweek.co.uk/no-evidence-...
Ofsted: No political bias at school that postponed MP visit
Inspectors praise 'diverse and inclusive' Bristol school after emergency monitoring inspection
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The government has toughened up its stance on mobile phones in schools in the past week, announcing new Ofsted inspection powers and updated guidance all while facing pressure to ban social media for under-16s.

Here's everything you need to know about the changes ⬇️
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-mobile-p...
New mobile phone guidance: What does it mean for schools?
Schools Week breaks down everything you need to know about the changes
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Exclusive: Ministers have promised extra SEND cash for councils as part of the White Paper after it temporarily froze uplifts for high needs blocks

Councils have warned the freezing will plunge their deficits further into the red
schoolsweek.co.uk/extra-send-c...
Extra SEND cash coming says DfE as councils' woes deepen
Minister says white paper will bring 'additional’ funding as town halls warn freeze will worsen deficits
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Schools facing 'significant' attendance and behaviour issues will receive 10 days of leadership support over three terms from their allocated lead school

This will involve surveying staff and pupils and carrying out a full-day exercise into challenges faced
More details have been revealed for how the government’s behaviour and attendance hubs will work, with schools being offered either 'regional' or 'enhanced' support pathways
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-reveals-...
Behaviour and attendance hub support details shared by DfE
Details shared for 'regional' and 'enhanced' support pathways as part of newly merged hubs
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
Former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson texted the PM he had been 'f****d over' by decisions made without consulting him during the pandemic, the Covid inquiry has heard today
Williamson texted PM he was 'f****d over' by Covid decisions
Covid inquiry sees expletive-riddled text sent by Gavin Williamson to Boris Johnson over school closures
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I'm at the Tes SEND Show where we'll shortly be hearing from Tom Rees and Dame Christine Lenehan on the DfE's SEND strategy, as well as panellists Emma Balchin, Colin Foley, Amanda Allard and Dr Asha Patel on wider SEND reform hopes.
October 10, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
A trust CEO has told the Covid inquiry the former education secretary said it was 'too late to do anything' after he raised grave concerns over plans to award grades during the first year of Covid based on an algorithm
schoolsweek.co.uk/its-too-late...
Covid Inquiry: 'Too late' to act on exam concerns - minister
Jon Coles, CEO of United Learning Trust, told the Covid Inquiry he was told by Gavin Williamson it was 'too late to do anything' on how grades would be awarded.
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
Ofsted should fail schools on safeguarding if pupils are caught using smartphones in lessons, says shadow education secretary Laura Trott
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-shoul...
Ofsted should fail schools on phone use, says Trott
Shadow education secretary says phone use should be treated as a safeguarding issue by watchdog
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
🌱 As climate expectations from the government increase on schools, what lessons can be learned from a trust that has prioritised sustainability for seven years?

@ruthlucas.bsky.social visits Northern Star Academies Trust in Bradford to find out...
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Reposted by Ruth Lucas
Free school breakfasts, brought to you by Kellogg’s and Greggs …

Government seeks food provider sponsors to support its flagship scheme, and offers ‘promotional rights’ in return

Scoop from @ruthlucas.bsky.social

schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-seeks-bu...
August 12, 2025 at 6:08 AM