Samantha Booth
@samanthajbooth.bsky.social
Award-winning chief reporter @schoolsweek.bsky.social • mainly investigating SEND, mental health, exams • mental health 1st aider • Sam is fine • Press Awards specialist journalist of the year 2025
Pinned
Our most amazing chief reporter @samanthajbooth.bsky.social HAS WON the specialist journalist of the year at the Press Awards
A truly phenomenal achievement. She beat off journalists reporting on war with her *amazing* journalism exposing the SEND crisis
So well deserved
A truly phenomenal achievement. She beat off journalists reporting on war with her *amazing* journalism exposing the SEND crisis
So well deserved
Finding this hard to believe really, very honoured.
Thanks so much to everyone who has trusted me over the past few years. SEND support is such a huge issue and glad it’s being recognised.
Normal reporting service resumes when I’m back at my desk later this year
Thanks so much to everyone who has trusted me over the past few years. SEND support is such a huge issue and glad it’s being recognised.
Normal reporting service resumes when I’m back at my desk later this year
Interesting analysis by NFER today looking at the characteristics of 'high-SEND' schools...
❗Some schools are at 'breaking point' amid a widening gap between the schools with the most and fewest numbers of pupils with education, health and care plans, research warns
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Interesting analysis by NFER today looking at the characteristics of 'high-SEND' schools...
Edu committee chair @helenhayes.bsky.social has written to ed sec @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social asking for more info on the SEND reforms "co-creation" process. ⤵️
Announcing the delay last month, BP decided to have a "further period of co-creation" to test proposals w parents, educators, experts.
Announcing the delay last month, BP decided to have a "further period of co-creation" to test proposals w parents, educators, experts.
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Edu committee chair @helenhayes.bsky.social has written to ed sec @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social asking for more info on the SEND reforms "co-creation" process. ⤵️
Announcing the delay last month, BP decided to have a "further period of co-creation" to test proposals w parents, educators, experts.
Announcing the delay last month, BP decided to have a "further period of co-creation" to test proposals w parents, educators, experts.
Reposted by Samantha Booth
🤖 Ministers will use AI to set minimum attendance targets for every school in England
Targets will not be published, or be given to Ofsted - but failure to improve will result in a referral to RISE teams
schoolsweek.co.uk/ai-to-set-mi...
Targets will not be published, or be given to Ofsted - but failure to improve will result in a referral to RISE teams
schoolsweek.co.uk/ai-to-set-mi...
Attendance: AI-generated targets to be set for all schools
AI-generated targets will be set for all schools in England, government has announced, as it looks to crackdown on absence rates.
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:03 AM
🤖 Ministers will use AI to set minimum attendance targets for every school in England
Targets will not be published, or be given to Ofsted - but failure to improve will result in a referral to RISE teams
schoolsweek.co.uk/ai-to-set-mi...
Targets will not be published, or be given to Ofsted - but failure to improve will result in a referral to RISE teams
schoolsweek.co.uk/ai-to-set-mi...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
📋Ofsted's new education inspections have launched this week, and I'm keen to find out what leaders and teachers make of them.
If your school's inspected this week or next and you're up for sharing your thoughts, anonymously or otherwise, please do get in touch! Email in bio.
If your school's inspected this week or next and you're up for sharing your thoughts, anonymously or otherwise, please do get in touch! Email in bio.
November 11, 2025 at 9:49 AM
📋Ofsted's new education inspections have launched this week, and I'm keen to find out what leaders and teachers make of them.
If your school's inspected this week or next and you're up for sharing your thoughts, anonymously or otherwise, please do get in touch! Email in bio.
If your school's inspected this week or next and you're up for sharing your thoughts, anonymously or otherwise, please do get in touch! Email in bio.
Exclusive: Ofqual will not publish detailed modelling that informed a key curriculum review policy to reduce the time pupils spend taking GCSE exams by around three hours
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-wont-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-wont-...
Ofqual won't publish modelling on 10% exam time cut
Regulator told review the reduction was 'feasible with current content levels'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Exclusive: Ofqual will not publish detailed modelling that informed a key curriculum review policy to reduce the time pupils spend taking GCSE exams by around three hours
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-wont-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-wont-...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
📢 Join us on Friday for Under the CAR Bonnet - a free Schools Week webinar on the curriculum and assessment review
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
November 5, 2025 at 4:58 PM
📢 Join us on Friday for Under the CAR Bonnet - a free Schools Week webinar on the curriculum and assessment review
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Breaking: The government is proposing sweeping reforms to progress 8, the main league table measure for secondary schools, in a bid to boost arts take-up – and will ditch the EBacc from this academic year
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-ignores-francis-review-and-proposes-sweeping-progress-8-reform/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-ignores-francis-review-and-proposes-sweeping-progress-8-reform/
November 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Breaking: The government is proposing sweeping reforms to progress 8, the main league table measure for secondary schools, in a bid to boost arts take-up – and will ditch the EBacc from this academic year
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-ignores-francis-review-and-proposes-sweeping-progress-8-reform/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-ignores-francis-review-and-proposes-sweeping-progress-8-reform/
Reposted by Samantha Booth
The government will introduce a new national curriculum from 2028, scrap the EBacc league table measure, make citizenship compulsory in primary schools and force all secondaries to offer triple science GCSE
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curriculum-to-be-introduced-in-2028-as-review-published/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curriculum-to-be-introduced-in-2028-as-review-published/
November 5, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The government will introduce a new national curriculum from 2028, scrap the EBacc league table measure, make citizenship compulsory in primary schools and force all secondaries to offer triple science GCSE
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curriculum-to-be-introduced-in-2028-as-review-published/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curriculum-to-be-introduced-in-2028-as-review-published/
Reposted by Samantha Booth
🚨The curriculum review is out!
First: Government commits to a new national curriculum in 2028. Will also replace year 6 writing test, new oracy framework, financial literacy in primary
Our news story on the government's response to the key review findings: (1/4)
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
First: Government commits to a new national curriculum in 2028. Will also replace year 6 writing test, new oracy framework, financial literacy in primary
Our news story on the government's response to the key review findings: (1/4)
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
New curriculum to be introduced in 2028 as review published
Government commits to scrap the EBacc and make citizenship compulsory in primary schools
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:15 AM
🚨The curriculum review is out!
First: Government commits to a new national curriculum in 2028. Will also replace year 6 writing test, new oracy framework, financial literacy in primary
Our news story on the government's response to the key review findings: (1/4)
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
First: Government commits to a new national curriculum in 2028. Will also replace year 6 writing test, new oracy framework, financial literacy in primary
Our news story on the government's response to the key review findings: (1/4)
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Professor Becky Francis has published her final curriculum and assessment review report.
She spoke to Schools Week about some of its key recommendations and the thinking behind them
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-becky-francis-on-the-big-ideas-in-her-curriculum-review/
She spoke to Schools Week about some of its key recommendations and the thinking behind them
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-becky-francis-on-the-big-ideas-in-her-curriculum-review/
Q&A: Becky Francis on the big ideas in her curriculum review
Chair explains thinking behind year 8 tests, scrapping EBacc and triple science guarantee
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Professor Becky Francis has published her final curriculum and assessment review report.
She spoke to Schools Week about some of its key recommendations and the thinking behind them
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-becky-francis-on-the-big-ideas-in-her-curriculum-review/
She spoke to Schools Week about some of its key recommendations and the thinking behind them
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-becky-francis-on-the-big-ideas-in-her-curriculum-review/
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Breaking: Teacher pay should rise by 6.5 per cent over the next three years, government has said in its evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-suggests-6-5-teacher-pay-rise-but-over-three-years/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-suggests-6-5-teacher-pay-rise-but-over-three-years/
Teacher pay: DfE suggests 6.5% rise - but over three years
Department publishes its evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Breaking: Teacher pay should rise by 6.5 per cent over the next three years, government has said in its evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-suggests-6-5-teacher-pay-rise-but-over-three-years/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-suggests-6-5-teacher-pay-rise-but-over-three-years/
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Does the post-16 white paper have the right answers, or even the right questions?
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
Does the Post 16 White Paper have the right answers, or even the right questions? - Inside Your Ed
It is entirely normal for a Government to announce plans to reform either Higher Education (HE) or Further Education (FE). What is much less normal is a Government announcing a plan to reform HE and F...
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Does the post-16 white paper have the right answers, or even the right questions?
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Government says rates of severe absence won't be tackled 'overnight' as new data shows more increases for disadvantaged pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/severe-absen...
schoolsweek.co.uk/severe-absen...
Severe absence rates increase as overall attendance improves
New Department for Education data shows severe absence rates have risen in the autumn and spring term of 2024/25, while persistent absence rates improved.
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Government says rates of severe absence won't be tackled 'overnight' as new data shows more increases for disadvantaged pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/severe-absen...
schoolsweek.co.uk/severe-absen...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
We've tried to get some clarity on all this from the Department for Education - but they've mostly ignored our questions
However I haven't noticed much difference in the education world. Lots of DfE people still speaking at events
It also apparently doesn't affect bodies like Ofsted, Ofqual etc
However I haven't noticed much difference in the education world. Lots of DfE people still speaking at events
It also apparently doesn't affect bodies like Ofsted, Ofqual etc
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
We've tried to get some clarity on all this from the Department for Education - but they've mostly ignored our questions
However I haven't noticed much difference in the education world. Lots of DfE people still speaking at events
It also apparently doesn't affect bodies like Ofsted, Ofqual etc
However I haven't noticed much difference in the education world. Lots of DfE people still speaking at events
It also apparently doesn't affect bodies like Ofsted, Ofqual etc
There's pros and cons to this, I think - good to take more time to listen, as no one wants half-baked reforms.
But I imagine those who have been living through the system for years will be sick of delays & getting flashbacks to previous gov. It took 1,274 days for their green paper to be published
But I imagine those who have been living through the system for years will be sick of delays & getting flashbacks to previous gov. It took 1,274 days for their green paper to be published
Breaking: The schools white paper will be delayed until 'early in the new year', government has announced today, as ministers take more time to draw up controversial SEND reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Schools white paper delayed until next year
Autumn deadline will be missed as ministers take more time to consider controversial SEND reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:16 PM
There's pros and cons to this, I think - good to take more time to listen, as no one wants half-baked reforms.
But I imagine those who have been living through the system for years will be sick of delays & getting flashbacks to previous gov. It took 1,274 days for their green paper to be published
But I imagine those who have been living through the system for years will be sick of delays & getting flashbacks to previous gov. It took 1,274 days for their green paper to be published
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Breaking: The schools white paper will be delayed until 'early in the new year', government has announced today, as ministers take more time to draw up controversial SEND reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Schools white paper delayed until next year
Autumn deadline will be missed as ministers take more time to consider controversial SEND reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Breaking: The schools white paper will be delayed until 'early in the new year', government has announced today, as ministers take more time to draw up controversial SEND reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
📈 Grammar schools are back dominating the top of GCSE league tables after the progress 8 performance measure was put on pause for two years
Grammars top league tables as attainment replaces progress 8
Progress 8 cannot be calculated this year and next due to Covid SATs cancellations
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
📈 Grammar schools are back dominating the top of GCSE league tables after the progress 8 performance measure was put on pause for two years
Reposted by Samantha Booth
⌛ The government will provide an update on paused free school projects 'later this year', ministers have said
Here's what we learned after ministers took questions from MPs yesterday 🔽
Here's what we learned after ministers took questions from MPs yesterday 🔽
Free schools update 'later this year', say ministers
The education secretary and her team answered MPs' questions in Parliament today
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM
⌛ The government will provide an update on paused free school projects 'later this year', ministers have said
Here's what we learned after ministers took questions from MPs yesterday 🔽
Here's what we learned after ministers took questions from MPs yesterday 🔽
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Yesterday's Covid Inquiry revealed former education secretary Gavin Williamson told the Prime Minister he was 'f****d off' over decisions made without him during the pandemic
schoolsweek.co.uk/williamson-t...
schoolsweek.co.uk/williamson-t...
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 15, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Yesterday's Covid Inquiry revealed former education secretary Gavin Williamson told the Prime Minister he was 'f****d off' over decisions made without him during the pandemic
schoolsweek.co.uk/williamson-t...
schoolsweek.co.uk/williamson-t...
I'm officially back from nine months of maternity leave this week - what a lesson in patience, resilience and working on exhaustion that was and continues to be!
It'd be great to catch up, so please do drop me a message if you want to chat.
It'd be great to catch up, so please do drop me a message if you want to chat.
October 14, 2025 at 9:03 AM
I'm officially back from nine months of maternity leave this week - what a lesson in patience, resilience and working on exhaustion that was and continues to be!
It'd be great to catch up, so please do drop me a message if you want to chat.
It'd be great to catch up, so please do drop me a message if you want to chat.
Reposted by Samantha Booth
On Saturday we’ll be taking part in the Ribbon Run in memory of our nephew Harry.
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
We're taking part in Ribbon Run to help save babies' lives.
I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.
fundraising.sands.org.uk
October 7, 2025 at 7:39 PM
On Saturday we’ll be taking part in the Ribbon Run in memory of our nephew Harry.
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
On Saturday we’ll be taking part in the Ribbon Run in memory of our nephew Harry.
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
We're taking part in Ribbon Run to help save babies' lives.
I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.
fundraising.sands.org.uk
October 7, 2025 at 7:39 PM
On Saturday we’ll be taking part in the Ribbon Run in memory of our nephew Harry.
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate
fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Following Trump's comments blaming expectant mothers who take Tylenol for autism in their children, Lucy Jones asks if epidurals and caesareans will be next.
Read more:
https://bit.ly/4nIKxCA
Read more:
https://bit.ly/4nIKxCA
First they came for the paracetamol – will epidurals and ...
Blaming expectant mothers who take Tylenol for autism in their children shows exactly how little Donald Trump cares for science – or women
bit.ly
September 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Following Trump's comments blaming expectant mothers who take Tylenol for autism in their children, Lucy Jones asks if epidurals and caesareans will be next.
Read more:
https://bit.ly/4nIKxCA
Read more:
https://bit.ly/4nIKxCA