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
'We need a shared understanding of what consistency should mean. Otherwise, we risk chasing uniformity at the expense of insight – and losing sight of what inspection is for'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
November 11, 2025 at 7:20 AM
'We need a shared understanding of what consistency should mean. Otherwise, we risk chasing uniformity at the expense of insight – and losing sight of what inspection is for'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
'AI-generated SARs and follow-up correspondence are often threatening in tone and request irrelevant information, going beyond what an SAR should be – a simple request for personal information held'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/use-common-sense-to-deal-with-an-angry-ai-created-legal-request/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/use-common-sense-to-deal-with-an-angry-ai-created-legal-request/
November 11, 2025 at 6:05 AM
'AI-generated SARs and follow-up correspondence are often threatening in tone and request irrelevant information, going beyond what an SAR should be – a simple request for personal information held'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/use-common-sense-to-deal-with-an-angry-ai-created-legal-request/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/use-common-sense-to-deal-with-an-angry-ai-created-legal-request/
💸 Exclusive: The government plans to 'signpost' cash-strapped schools to 'savings platforms' offering high-interest savings accounts to help ease funding worries by 'unlocking' the sector’s 'substantial reserves'
Full story 🔽
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
Full story 🔽
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
‘Savings platform’ plan to help schools boost reserves
Government thinks vision will ease school funding woes by 'unlocking' the sector's 'substantial reserves'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
💸 Exclusive: The government plans to 'signpost' cash-strapped schools to 'savings platforms' offering high-interest savings accounts to help ease funding worries by 'unlocking' the sector’s 'substantial reserves'
Full story 🔽
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
Full story 🔽
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
'Variation in judgement isn’t a flaw to be fixed – it’s an inherent feature of complex evaluation. Even with rigorous training and calibration, some degree of difference will always exist'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
November 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
'Variation in judgement isn’t a flaw to be fixed – it’s an inherent feature of complex evaluation. Even with rigorous training and calibration, some degree of difference will always exist'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
🟢 ‘The best-kept secret in education’
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him 🔽
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him 🔽
‘Education's best-kept secret’: Hobby on his new TKAT role
Halfway through his tour of his trust’s 45 schools, new CEO reveals what challenges await him in his new role
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
🟢 ‘The best-kept secret in education’
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him 🔽
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him 🔽
🔍 The government has commissioned an independent investigation into rising numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
Ministers launch investigation into rising NEETs
It will be led by former social mobility commissioner Alan Milburn
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
🔍 The government has commissioned an independent investigation into rising numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
📰 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...
November 10, 2025 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...
💸 Exclusive: The government plans to 'signpost' cash-strapped schools to 'savings platforms' offering high-interest savings accounts to help ease funding worries by 'unlocking' the sector’s 'substantial reserves'
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
‘Savings platform’ plan to help schools boost reserves
Government thinks vision will ease school funding woes by 'unlocking' the sector's 'substantial reserves'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
💸 Exclusive: The government plans to 'signpost' cash-strapped schools to 'savings platforms' offering high-interest savings accounts to help ease funding worries by 'unlocking' the sector’s 'substantial reserves'
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
schoolsweek.co.uk/savings-plat...
🟢 ‘The best-kept secret in education’
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-best-kep...
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-best-kep...
‘Education's best-kept secret’: Hobby on his new TKAT role
Halfway through his tour of his trust’s 45 schools, new CEO reveals what challenges await him in his new role
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
🟢 ‘The best-kept secret in education’
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-best-kep...
Former Teach First CEO Russell Hobby on his new role leading one of England's biggest multi-academy trusts and the challenges awaiting him
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-best-kep...
'It is important to separate healthy debate from conspiratorial thinking. Pupils questioning what they learn about politics, history or science is a sign of curiosity and good teaching welcomes that'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
'It is important to separate healthy debate from conspiratorial thinking. Pupils questioning what they learn about politics, history or science is a sign of curiosity and good teaching welcomes that'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
'Ofsted needs to instigate a serious, open debate about what consistency really means – and be honest about what would be lost if consistency becomes the ultimate goal'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 AM
'Ofsted needs to instigate a serious, open debate about what consistency really means – and be honest about what would be lost if consistency becomes the ultimate goal'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/theres-a-sweet-spot-to-be-found-in-setting-inspection-consistency/
'Young people require better support to navigate the digital world safely, but adults need guidance to know how to help the young people in their lives who are online'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
November 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
'Young people require better support to navigate the digital world safely, but adults need guidance to know how to help the young people in their lives who are online'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
'Ultimately, the anti-smartphone crusade feels like a nostalgic yearning for a simpler time that never truly existed. The solution isn't a ban that relieves us of our educational duty'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
November 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
'Ultimately, the anti-smartphone crusade feels like a nostalgic yearning for a simpler time that never truly existed. The solution isn't a ban that relieves us of our educational duty'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
'Ultimately, this is about protecting trust. When pupils bring half-understood claims into the classroom, they are often asking whether adults can be relied on to tell them the truth'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'Ultimately, this is about protecting trust. When pupils bring half-understood claims into the classroom, they are often asking whether adults can be relied on to tell them the truth'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-must-call-pupils-in-not-out-on-conspiracy-theories/
'The notion of ‘stuck’ schools is at the top of the political agenda. But having spent pretty much my entire professional life working with schools who would likely be regarded as stuck, I find the current narrative problematic'
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
Why we’ve got ‘stuck’ schools all wrong
Stuck schools often get a ‘hero’ leader, but there are much better solutions, argues Seamus Murphy
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
'The notion of ‘stuck’ schools is at the top of the political agenda. But having spent pretty much my entire professional life working with schools who would likely be regarded as stuck, I find the current narrative problematic'
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
ICYMI: Ministers plan to launch a £3 million 'education neuroscience research centre' to help inform policymaking in key reform areas such as SEND
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
DfE plans £3m SEND research centre
Ministers look to pilot an 'education neuroscience research centre' to help inform policymaking
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
ICYMI: Ministers plan to launch a £3 million 'education neuroscience research centre' to help inform policymaking in key reform areas such as SEND
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
ICYMI: Ministers have suggested rising numbers of assistant heads could be the place to target cost-cutting as schools are forced to make savings to fund future teacher pay rises. So what’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able?
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
ICYMI: Ministers have suggested rising numbers of assistant heads could be the place to target cost-cutting as schools are forced to make savings to fund future teacher pay rises. So what’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able?
'The real debate isn't whether to manage phones; it’s whether a blanket, national prohibition is a genuine solution or merely a symbolic surrender that distracts from the deeper work of education'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
November 8, 2025 at 5:45 AM
'The real debate isn't whether to manage phones; it’s whether a blanket, national prohibition is a genuine solution or merely a symbolic surrender that distracts from the deeper work of education'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
Ministers plan to launch a £3 million 'education neuroscience research centre' to help inform policymaking in key reform areas such as SEND, Schools Week can reveal
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
DfE plans £3m SEND research centre
Ministers look to pilot an 'education neuroscience research centre' to help inform policymaking
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Ministers plan to launch a £3 million 'education neuroscience research centre' to help inform policymaking in key reform areas such as SEND, Schools Week can reveal
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-3m...
'When you scratch beneath the surface of the moral panic, the whole endeavour starts to look less like a policy solution and more like a collective industry seeking to profit from parental and governmental anxiety'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
November 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
'When you scratch beneath the surface of the moral panic, the whole endeavour starts to look less like a policy solution and more like a collective industry seeking to profit from parental and governmental anxiety'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/banning-phones-in-schools-is-a-lazy-opt-out/
👤 Schools have been told to appoint a point of contact for families needing support with uniform
❌ New guidance also suggests setting requirements banning 'visible logos' on PE kit to reduce costs and 'peer pressure to wear designer sportswear'
❌ New guidance also suggests setting requirements banning 'visible logos' on PE kit to reduce costs and 'peer pressure to wear designer sportswear'
Appoint staff contact for uniform issues, schools told
New guidance also suggests rules banning 'visible logos' on PE kit to reduce 'pressure to wear designer gear'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
👤 Schools have been told to appoint a point of contact for families needing support with uniform
❌ New guidance also suggests setting requirements banning 'visible logos' on PE kit to reduce costs and 'peer pressure to wear designer sportswear'
❌ New guidance also suggests setting requirements banning 'visible logos' on PE kit to reduce costs and 'peer pressure to wear designer sportswear'
ICYMI: The education secretary has admitted more specialist teachers will be needed so schools can deliver on a new pledge to offer triple science to all GCSE pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/triple-scien...
schoolsweek.co.uk/triple-scien...
Triple science pledge needs more specialist teachers - Phillipson
The education secretary has said more specialist science teachers will be needed if government is to make triple science available to all GCSE pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
ICYMI: The education secretary has admitted more specialist teachers will be needed so schools can deliver on a new pledge to offer triple science to all GCSE pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk/triple-scien...
schoolsweek.co.uk/triple-scien...
'The notion of ‘stuck’ schools is at the top of the political agenda. But having spent pretty much my entire professional life working with schools who would likely be regarded as stuck, I find the current narrative problematic'
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
Why we’ve got ‘stuck’ schools all wrong
Stuck schools often get a ‘hero’ leader, but there are much better solutions, argues Seamus Murphy
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
'The notion of ‘stuck’ schools is at the top of the political agenda. But having spent pretty much my entire professional life working with schools who would likely be regarded as stuck, I find the current narrative problematic'
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-weve-got...
Ministers have suggested rising numbers of assistant heads could be the place to target cost-cutting as schools are forced to make savings to fund future teacher pay rises. So what’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able?
schoolsweek.co.uk/can-schools-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/can-schools-...
Can schools really afford to cut assistant heads?
Ministers point to rising numbers of assistant heads in cost-cutting advice
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Ministers have suggested rising numbers of assistant heads could be the place to target cost-cutting as schools are forced to make savings to fund future teacher pay rises. So what’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able?
schoolsweek.co.uk/can-schools-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/can-schools-...
'I felt like the sector has had my back'
Curriculum review chair answers your questions on her landmark report: covering languages take-up concerns, progress 8 disagreements, RE consensus and much more
You can watch the webinar in full below
schoolsweek.co.uk/watch-becky-...
Curriculum review chair answers your questions on her landmark report: covering languages take-up concerns, progress 8 disagreements, RE consensus and much more
You can watch the webinar in full below
schoolsweek.co.uk/watch-becky-...
Under the CAR Bonnet: Watch Becky Francis webinar
Review chair covers EBacc language concerns, progress 8 reforms, RE consensus and more
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:09 PM
'I felt like the sector has had my back'
Curriculum review chair answers your questions on her landmark report: covering languages take-up concerns, progress 8 disagreements, RE consensus and much more
You can watch the webinar in full below
schoolsweek.co.uk/watch-becky-...
Curriculum review chair answers your questions on her landmark report: covering languages take-up concerns, progress 8 disagreements, RE consensus and much more
You can watch the webinar in full below
schoolsweek.co.uk/watch-becky-...