Samantha Booth
@samanthajbooth.bsky.social
Deputy editor @SchoolsWeek • mainly investigating SEND • Sam is fine • Press Awards specialist journalist of 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
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Exclusive: One of England’s biggest academy trusts is set to give up two special schools after deciding they would be better off in a specialist chain
schoolsweek.co.uk/lift-academy...
schoolsweek.co.uk/lift-academy...
Lift set to hand over two special schools
The 58-school MAT believes both academies will be 'best supported within a specialist trust'
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Exclusive: One of England’s biggest academy trusts is set to give up two special schools after deciding they would be better off in a specialist chain
schoolsweek.co.uk/lift-academy...
schoolsweek.co.uk/lift-academy...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Want to join the team here at @schoolsweek.bsky.social?
We're looking for a brilliant reporter. Details below...
We're looking for a brilliant reporter. Details below...
We are looking for a reporter to join team @schoolsweek.bsky.social - here's the qualities that we need ⤵️
Fit the bill? See how to apply here: www.journoresources.org.uk/job/reporter...
Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social a message
Fit the bill? See how to apply here: www.journoresources.org.uk/job/reporter...
Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social a message
December 24, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Want to join the team here at @schoolsweek.bsky.social?
We're looking for a brilliant reporter. Details below...
We're looking for a brilliant reporter. Details below...
We are looking for a reporter to join team @schoolsweek.bsky.social - here's the qualities that we need ⤵️
Fit the bill? See how to apply here: www.journoresources.org.uk/job/reporter...
Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social a message
Fit the bill? See how to apply here: www.journoresources.org.uk/job/reporter...
Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social a message
December 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
We are looking for a reporter to join team @schoolsweek.bsky.social - here's the qualities that we need ⤵️
Fit the bill? See how to apply here: www.journoresources.org.uk/job/reporter...
Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social a message
Fit the bill? See how to apply here: www.journoresources.org.uk/job/reporter...
Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social a message
Just a note to readers, we are waiting for the government's violence against women and girls strategy to be published in full before covering - a detailed piece on what's new should be on Schools Week later today
December 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Just a note to readers, we are waiting for the government's violence against women and girls strategy to be published in full before covering - a detailed piece on what's new should be on Schools Week later today
Reposted by Samantha Booth
I've always been so proud to report for Schools Week, so I'm even more delighted to be able to have a part in editing it.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
We're excited to name Freddie Whittaker as our next Editor and Samantha Booth as Deputy Editor from Jan 2026!
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
December 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I've always been so proud to report for Schools Week, so I'm even more delighted to be able to have a part in editing it.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
Reposted by Samantha Booth
We'll be saying more about our vision for Schools Week in the final edition of the year this Friday. If you don't already subscribe, please consider doing so. Great journalism is worth paying for
schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Subscribe to Schools Week | Schools Week
By subscribing to Schools Week, you're not just staying informed; you're supporting a mission critical to the future of education. Your subscription helps us dig deeper, question harder, and shine a l...
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
We'll be saying more about our vision for Schools Week in the final edition of the year this Friday. If you don't already subscribe, please consider doing so. Great journalism is worth paying for
schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Honoured to have been appointed as the next editor of Schools Week, starting in January. It's been a privilege to watch our fantastic newspaper grow in reach and influence since its launch in 2014
I'm also delighted our award-winning chief reporter Samantha Booth will be our deputy editor
I'm also delighted our award-winning chief reporter Samantha Booth will be our deputy editor
We're excited to name Freddie Whittaker as our next Editor and Samantha Booth as Deputy Editor from Jan 2026!
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
December 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Honoured to have been appointed as the next editor of Schools Week, starting in January. It's been a privilege to watch our fantastic newspaper grow in reach and influence since its launch in 2014
I'm also delighted our award-winning chief reporter Samantha Booth will be our deputy editor
I'm also delighted our award-winning chief reporter Samantha Booth will be our deputy editor
I've always been so proud to report for Schools Week, so I'm even more delighted to be able to have a part in editing it.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
We're excited to name Freddie Whittaker as our next Editor and Samantha Booth as Deputy Editor from Jan 2026!
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
December 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I've always been so proud to report for Schools Week, so I'm even more delighted to be able to have a part in editing it.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social will be an immense editor, his historical knowledge of the education sector is hard to beat and his journalistic integrity is second to none.
Reposted by Samantha Booth
We're excited to name Freddie Whittaker as our next Editor and Samantha Booth as Deputy Editor from Jan 2026!
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
December 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We're excited to name Freddie Whittaker as our next Editor and Samantha Booth as Deputy Editor from Jan 2026!
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
Their leadership and reporting experience will drive Schools Week forward.
Got story ideas? They’re listening. #EducationJournalism #SchoolsNews
Reposted by Samantha Booth
❗The success of one of the highest-performing schools in the country has been 'achieved at too high a cost for some pupils', a safeguarding investigation has found
Top academy's success 'at too high a cost' to some pupils
Review details 'isolating, shaming' practices at Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
❗The success of one of the highest-performing schools in the country has been 'achieved at too high a cost for some pupils', a safeguarding investigation has found
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Big story from @lydiach.bsky.social - buried in Treasury documents, the government confirms it intends to allocate disadvantage funding to schools based on income data, not free school meals eligibility.
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
Exclusive: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Big story from @lydiach.bsky.social - buried in Treasury documents, the government confirms it intends to allocate disadvantage funding to schools based on income data, not free school meals eligibility.
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Exclusive: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Exclusive: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Presenting edition 413 of Schools Week
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
December 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Presenting edition 413 of Schools Week
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Breaking: Trainee teacher numbers have grown by 11 per cent this year, with government over-recruiting would-be primary teachers but still missing its target for secondary
schoolsweek.co.uk/trainee-teac...
schoolsweek.co.uk/trainee-teac...
Teacher recruitment up 11%, but secondary target missed
Secondary recruitment hits 88% of target, while primary over-recruits by 26% after targets cut
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Breaking: Trainee teacher numbers have grown by 11 per cent this year, with government over-recruiting would-be primary teachers but still missing its target for secondary
schoolsweek.co.uk/trainee-teac...
schoolsweek.co.uk/trainee-teac...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Schools will be 'expected' to use a new government framework for supply teacher agency spending, which will include new caps on the rates companies can charge, ministers have announced
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-expe...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-expe...
Schools 'expected' to use new capped supply agency deal
DfE launches 'maximising value for pupils' programme aimed at helping schools find savings
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Schools will be 'expected' to use a new government framework for supply teacher agency spending, which will include new caps on the rates companies can charge, ministers have announced
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-expe...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-expe...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson and DfE permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood are appearing before the Education Committee.
Follow along for live updates as they answer questions from MPs...
Follow along for live updates as they answer questions from MPs...
December 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson and DfE permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood are appearing before the Education Committee.
Follow along for live updates as they answer questions from MPs...
Follow along for live updates as they answer questions from MPs...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Breaking: Too many children are ‘falling out of step with the expectations of school life’ through absence, making them ‘more likely to cross boundaries, challenge teachers’ and disrupt learning, the head of Ofsted has warned
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-too-m...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-too-m...
Ofsted: Too many pupils 'out of step with school life'
Chief inspector also warns social media and smartphones are partly responsible for disruptive behaviour
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Breaking: Too many children are ‘falling out of step with the expectations of school life’ through absence, making them ‘more likely to cross boundaries, challenge teachers’ and disrupt learning, the head of Ofsted has warned
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-too-m...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-too-m...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
'Missed opportunities' to keep pupils with SEND in school, and 8 more things we learned from Ofsted’s annual report for 2024-25
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-warns...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-warns...
Ofsted: 'Missed opportunities' to keep SEND pupils in school
Sir Martyn Oliver expressed deepening concerns about the number of children only attending school part-time
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:02 AM
'Missed opportunities' to keep pupils with SEND in school, and 8 more things we learned from Ofsted’s annual report for 2024-25
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-warns...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-warns...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
So the £6bn SEND budget blackhole predicted by the OBR for 2028-29 is a 'matter for the next spending review', Phillipson has told Parliament
This is due in 2027, and as set out earlier this year, will review budgets set at the latest SR in June for 28-29 and 29-30
Still, cutting it fine...
This is due in 2027, and as set out earlier this year, will review budgets set at the latest SR in June for 28-29 and 29-30
Still, cutting it fine...
The government will set out how it intends to plug an estimated £6 billion shortfall in SEND funding at the next spending review in 2027, the education secretary has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/6bn-send-sho...
schoolsweek.co.uk/6bn-send-sho...
£6bn SEND shortfall a 'matter for 2027 spending review'
But ministers still face questions about where funding for black hole will come from
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
So the £6bn SEND budget blackhole predicted by the OBR for 2028-29 is a 'matter for the next spending review', Phillipson has told Parliament
This is due in 2027, and as set out earlier this year, will review budgets set at the latest SR in June for 28-29 and 29-30
Still, cutting it fine...
This is due in 2027, and as set out earlier this year, will review budgets set at the latest SR in June for 28-29 and 29-30
Still, cutting it fine...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
The government will set out how it intends to plug an estimated £6 billion shortfall in SEND funding at the next spending review in 2027, the education secretary has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/6bn-send-sho...
schoolsweek.co.uk/6bn-send-sho...
£6bn SEND shortfall a 'matter for 2027 spending review'
But ministers still face questions about where funding for black hole will come from
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The government will set out how it intends to plug an estimated £6 billion shortfall in SEND funding at the next spending review in 2027, the education secretary has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/6bn-send-sho...
schoolsweek.co.uk/6bn-send-sho...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Revelation of a £20 billon SEND blackhole has sparked a row between the Department for Education and the spending watchdog and upped the stakes on ministers to fix the system before the government absorbs its soaring costs
schoolsweek.co.uk/budget-2025-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/budget-2025-...
£20bn SEND black hole prompts DfE row with spending watchdog
Former adviser says Treasury is 'trying to force the pace' of reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Revelation of a £20 billon SEND blackhole has sparked a row between the Department for Education and the spending watchdog and upped the stakes on ministers to fix the system before the government absorbs its soaring costs
schoolsweek.co.uk/budget-2025-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/budget-2025-...
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Councils get allocated education funding via the DfE's Dedicated Schools Grant. This includes funding for SEND provision that educates and trains children and young people
Some is delegated directly to schools & academies to spend, some goes via to LAs to allocate for high-needs provision
Some is delegated directly to schools & academies to spend, some goes via to LAs to allocate for high-needs provision
November 27, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Councils get allocated education funding via the DfE's Dedicated Schools Grant. This includes funding for SEND provision that educates and trains children and young people
Some is delegated directly to schools & academies to spend, some goes via to LAs to allocate for high-needs provision
Some is delegated directly to schools & academies to spend, some goes via to LAs to allocate for high-needs provision
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Finally got to the bottom of a confusing set of budget documents and OBR forecasts
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
Government plans to absorb the spiraling cost of SEND provision within central budgets will leave it facing a £6 billion annual shortfall, with no savings yet identified to meet it, the spending watchdog has warned
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-faces-6bn-send-shortfall-once-override-ends/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-faces-6bn-send-shortfall-once-override-ends/
Government faces £6bn SEND shortfall once override ends
Spending watchdog warns 'no savings have been identified' to offset pressure on government coffers
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Finally got to the bottom of a confusing set of budget documents and OBR forecasts
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
No mention that I heard in Reeves' speech on this v. big deal - so we are waiting for the budget docs to confirm the situation
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
No mention that I heard in Reeves' speech on this v. big deal - so we are waiting for the budget docs to confirm the situation
Reposted by Samantha Booth
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits