Schools Week
@schoolsweek.bsky.social
School leaders’ favourite newspaper. Multi-award winning journalism, determined to get past the bluster and explain the facts. Published by EducationScape
From replacing the school condition improvement fund to creating a framework for the use of surplus school land, here's everything schools need to know about the DfE's education estates strategy
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
Education estates strategy: What schools need to know
New process for repairs to standalone academies and small trusts will not require 'full bids', says DfE
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 4:02 PM
From replacing the school condition improvement fund to creating a framework for the use of surplus school land, here's everything schools need to know about the DfE's education estates strategy
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
The DfE's school condition improvement fund will be replaced with a new programme that will not require full bids and a new framework will govern the use of surplus school land amid falling rolls
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
Education estates strategy: What schools need to know
New process for repairs to standalone academies and small trusts will not require 'full bids', says DfE
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 11:45 AM
The DfE's school condition improvement fund will be replaced with a new programme that will not require full bids and a new framework will govern the use of surplus school land amid falling rolls
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/education-estates-strategy-to-replace-cif-and-create-surplus-land-framework/
All secondary schools will be expected to have 'inclusion bases' where 'pupils can access targeted support that bridges the gap between mainstream and specialist provision', the government has said
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
'Inclusion bases' expectation for all secondary schools
Each school would have a 'dedicated safe space where pupils can access targeted support', says DfE
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 7:06 AM
All secondary schools will be expected to have 'inclusion bases' where 'pupils can access targeted support that bridges the gap between mainstream and specialist provision', the government has said
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
'Our message to school leaders considering the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship is simple. When training is rooted in continuity and backed by great mentoring, pupils feel it – and outcomes follow'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teaching-apprenticeships-offer-the-continuity-children-crave/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teaching-apprenticeships-offer-the-continuity-children-crave/
Teaching apprenticeships offer the continuity children crave
Predictable adults support predictable lessons, which lowers anxiety and increases engagement
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:28 PM
'Our message to school leaders considering the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship is simple. When training is rooted in continuity and backed by great mentoring, pupils feel it – and outcomes follow'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teaching-apprenticeships-offer-the-continuity-children-crave/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teaching-apprenticeships-offer-the-continuity-children-crave/
'We need a national expectation that compels partnership, aligns accountability and reconnects the fragments of our system for the children who need us most'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/siloed-trusts-are-the-elephant-in-the-room-on-inclusion/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/siloed-trusts-are-the-elephant-in-the-room-on-inclusion/
Siloed trusts are the elephant in the room on inclusion
We need an expectation that compels partnership and reconnects the fragments of our system
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:21 PM
'We need a national expectation that compels partnership, aligns accountability and reconnects the fragments of our system for the children who need us most'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/siloed-trusts-are-the-elephant-in-the-room-on-inclusion/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/siloed-trusts-are-the-elephant-in-the-room-on-inclusion/
📝 One of England's biggest academy trusts fell foul of a 'historic fraud' over a number of years
Read more 🔽
Read more 🔽
Star fell victim to ‘historic fraud’ over several years
MAT with 36 schools says 'all reasonable steps taken' following 'significant financial irregularity'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 9:24 AM
📝 One of England's biggest academy trusts fell foul of a 'historic fraud' over a number of years
Read more 🔽
Read more 🔽
📝 Bosses of under-performing schools given targeted support through the government’s RISE improvement scheme have felt 'on trial' and ignored during the first few months of the programme
Read more 🔽
Read more 🔽
Heads 'on trial': 8 findings from first RISE evaluation
Report concludes the initial rollout of Labour's school improvement scheme has been a 'success'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 6:45 AM
📝 Bosses of under-performing schools given targeted support through the government’s RISE improvement scheme have felt 'on trial' and ignored during the first few months of the programme
Read more 🔽
Read more 🔽
The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
Government to write off 90% of councils' SEND deficits
Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 6:05 AM
The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits
Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
💸 Exclusive: One of England’s first PFI schools struck a secret deal for taxpayers to cover a £1m 'bullet payment' to break free of its contract
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
Secret £1m bailout as PFI windfalls and school woes grow
Deal to cover £1m 'bullet payment' revealed as figures suggest PFI firms could have made £86m in one year
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
💸 Exclusive: One of England’s first PFI schools struck a secret deal for taxpayers to cover a £1m 'bullet payment' to break free of its contract
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
📝 Bosses of under-performing schools given targeted support through the government’s RISE improvement scheme have felt 'on trial' and ignored during the first few months of the programme
Heads 'on trial': 8 findings from first RISE evaluation
Report concludes the initial rollout of Labour's school improvement scheme has been a 'success'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
📝 Bosses of under-performing schools given targeted support through the government’s RISE improvement scheme have felt 'on trial' and ignored during the first few months of the programme
📰 Schools news: The weekly round-up
Check out this week's news summary. If you still need to register for our newsletter updates, you can sign-up at the below link.
🔗 mailchi.mp/mkt.educatio...
Check out this week's news summary. If you still need to register for our newsletter updates, you can sign-up at the below link.
🔗 mailchi.mp/mkt.educatio...
February 9, 2026 at 12:37 PM
📰 Schools news: The weekly round-up
Check out this week's news summary. If you still need to register for our newsletter updates, you can sign-up at the below link.
🔗 mailchi.mp/mkt.educatio...
Check out this week's news summary. If you still need to register for our newsletter updates, you can sign-up at the below link.
🔗 mailchi.mp/mkt.educatio...
'Inspections must be more honest, humane, accurate and considerate. A consistently high conduct of inspections is non-negotiable'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/first-report-cards-show-ofsted-still-requires-improvement/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/first-report-cards-show-ofsted-still-requires-improvement/
First report cards show Ofsted still requires improvement
It is dedicated staff and leaders who are at the front line of 'improving lives' every day
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
'Inspections must be more honest, humane, accurate and considerate. A consistently high conduct of inspections is non-negotiable'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/first-report-cards-show-ofsted-still-requires-improvement/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/first-report-cards-show-ofsted-still-requires-improvement/
Exclusive: One of England’s first PFI schools struck a secret deal for taxpayers to cover a £1m 'bullet payment' to break free of its contract
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
schoolsweek.co.uk/secret-1m-ba...
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
schoolsweek.co.uk/secret-1m-ba...
Secret £1m bailout as PFI windfalls and school woes grow
Deal to cover £1m 'bullet payment' revealed as figures suggest PFI firms could have made £86m in one year
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Exclusive: One of England’s first PFI schools struck a secret deal for taxpayers to cover a £1m 'bullet payment' to break free of its contract
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
schoolsweek.co.uk/secret-1m-ba...
Analysis also suggests PFI owners of English schools could have made as much as £85.7m in profits in one year
schoolsweek.co.uk/secret-1m-ba...
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
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
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 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM
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
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
The prominent boss of a troubled academy trust saddled with a multi-million-pound deficit has resigned following a leave of absence
CEO of trust with £8.4m deficit resigns
Richard Gill leaves his role at the head of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 7:15 AM
The prominent boss of a troubled academy trust saddled with a multi-million-pound deficit has resigned following a leave of absence
ICYMI: Ofsted has agreed to gather more feedback from school leaders on inspections’ impact on their wellbeing, as part of a deal with heads that will see a new 'independent advisory group' launched
Ofsted plans closer monitoring of impact on heads' wellbeing
Deal will broaden new framework feedback and establish union-led 'independent advisory group'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 7:00 AM
ICYMI: Ofsted has agreed to gather more feedback from school leaders on inspections’ impact on their wellbeing, as part of a deal with heads that will see a new 'independent advisory group' launched
A new 'independent advisory group' set up by union NAHT is to scrutinise the effect new Ofsted inspections have on school leader wellbeing.
Feedback will be collected from a range of leaders post-inspection, and reviewed by the panel
Feedback will be collected from a range of leaders post-inspection, and reviewed by the panel
Ofsted plans closer monitoring of impact on heads' wellbeing
Deal will broaden new framework feedback and establish union-led 'independent advisory group'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
A new 'independent advisory group' set up by union NAHT is to scrutinise the effect new Ofsted inspections have on school leader wellbeing.
Feedback will be collected from a range of leaders post-inspection, and reviewed by the panel
Feedback will be collected from a range of leaders post-inspection, and reviewed by the panel
School nurseries lack the staff, space or demand to offer more wraparound, holiday or pre-school childcare, particularly in poorer areas, research shows
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/school-nurseries-lack-staff-and-space-for-extra-care-report-finds/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/school-nurseries-lack-staff-and-space-for-extra-care-report-finds/
School nurseries lack staff and room for extra care - report
The government has promised £400 million towards 'tens of thousands of places' in school-based nurseries
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 5:25 PM
School nurseries lack the staff, space or demand to offer more wraparound, holiday or pre-school childcare, particularly in poorer areas, research shows
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/school-nurseries-lack-staff-and-space-for-extra-care-report-finds/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/school-nurseries-lack-staff-and-space-for-extra-care-report-finds/
👤 A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new CEO
Read more 🔽
Read more 🔽
GLF names new CEO after Drinkall departure
A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new chief executive.
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 5:11 PM
👤 A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new CEO
Read more 🔽
Read more 🔽
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
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
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 5:01 PM
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
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-suspensions-too-much-say-most-school-staff/
The prominent boss of a troubled academy trust saddled with a multi-million-pound deficit has resigned following a leave of absence
schoolsweek.co.uk/ceo-of-arthu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ceo-of-arthu...
CEO of trust with £8.4m deficit resigns
Richard Gill leaves his role at the head of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 4:59 PM
The prominent boss of a troubled academy trust saddled with a multi-million-pound deficit has resigned following a leave of absence
schoolsweek.co.uk/ceo-of-arthu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ceo-of-arthu...
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-...
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
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-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/we-dont-use-...
A new 'independent advisory group' set up by the NAHT is to scrutinise the effect new Ofsted inspections have on school leader wellbeing.
Ofsted has agreed to sit on the panel, which is being launched amid concerns new inspections place extra pressure on leaders
Ofsted has agreed to sit on the panel, which is being launched amid concerns new inspections place extra pressure on leaders
Ofsted plans closer monitoring of impact on heads' wellbeing
Deal will broaden new framework feedback and establish union-led 'independent advisory group'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
A new 'independent advisory group' set up by the NAHT is to scrutinise the effect new Ofsted inspections have on school leader wellbeing.
Ofsted has agreed to sit on the panel, which is being launched amid concerns new inspections place extra pressure on leaders
Ofsted has agreed to sit on the panel, which is being launched amid concerns new inspections place extra pressure on leaders
👤 A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new CEO
schoolsweek.co.uk/glf-names-ne...
schoolsweek.co.uk/glf-names-ne...
GLF names new CEO after Drinkall departure
A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new chief executive.
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 10:51 AM
👤 A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new CEO
schoolsweek.co.uk/glf-names-ne...
schoolsweek.co.uk/glf-names-ne...