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The support that matters for the decisions that count. Rated the must-have support by 8 out of 10 school leaders.
This week’s top sector stories 📰

💷 DfE announces a £200m investment to boost to boost SEND expertise

📵 Updated mobile phone guidance for schools (with more to come)

📝 New guidance urges parents to be clear & respectful in complaints

Sign up for all stories 👇

#edusky
Trusted by over 140,000 sector professionals, The Key’s free and carefully curated news briefing is perfect for anyone who wants a succinct round-up of the latest developments from the education sector. Sign up today!
key.sc
January 23, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Did you know around two-thirds of children aged 9–17 are now using AI chatbots?

New research shows how quickly chatbots have become part of everyday life - from homework help to virtual friends.

Share our AI chatbot factsheet with staff and parents/carers 👇

#edusky
Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots: parent and staff factsheets | The Key Safeguarding
safeguarding.thekeysupport.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Earlier this month, the government tabled an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill on establishing a legal framework for routine Ofsted inspections of multi-academy trusts.

Get to grips with this here👇

#edusky
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: a summary | The Key Leaders
Get to grips with the key headlines in the government's proposed legislation, which aims to better protect children and raise standards in education.
schoolleaders.thekeysupport.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:37 PM
This week’s top sector stories 📰

❌ NEU warns it will “absolutely strike” to protect the 1,265-hour teacher workload limit

📋 Ofsted publishes first report cards under the new framework

📱 Government to release first screen-time guidance for under-5s

Sign up: key.sc/signupnews

#edusky
Trusted by over 140,000 sector professionals, The Key’s free and carefully curated news briefing is perfect for anyone who wants a succinct round-up of the latest developments from the education sector. Sign up today!
key.sc
January 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM
This week’s top sector stories 📰

📃 Updated DfE guidance on the use of reasonable force in schools

💷 £11m investment from the Home Office & DfE to tackle misogyny and keep girls safe

📱 New DfE app to deliver exam results to pupils’ phones

Sign up for all stories 👇

#eduksy
Trusted by over 140,000 sector professionals, The Key’s free and carefully curated news briefing is perfect for anyone who wants a succinct round-up of the latest developments from the education sector. Sign up today!
key.sc
January 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Need to close your school because of Storm Goretti? 🌧️❄️

Our emergency school closures guidance helps you understand when and how you can close, how to communicate with your local authority and parents/carers, and considerations like remote learning and inspection deferrals 👇

#edusky
Emergency school closures: guidance | The Key Leaders
Understand when you can close your school in an emergency. Find out how and when to contact your local authority and parents, and how to request an Ofsted inspection deferral due to emergency closure.
schoolleaders.thekeysupport.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:27 AM
The DfE has published new guidance on restrictive interventions following its consultation on it earlier this year.

You don't need to make any changes right now, but we’ve summarised the changes that come into effect on 1 April 2026 in our latest need-to-know 👇

#edusky
DfE publishes new guidance on restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force | The Key Leaders
The guidance, which includes a new legal duty to record and report incidents involving restrictive interventions to parents/carers, comes into effect on 1 April 2026.
schoolleaders.thekeysupport.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM
There’s still time to #ShareSomeJoy before Friday ✨

Sprinkle a little festive magic into the final week of term and thank the people who’ve helped make this year brighter!

#ShareSomeJoy here: sharesomejoy.thekeysupport.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:32 PM
What will @ofstednews.bsky.social be looking for when it comes to how schools support their most vulnerable pupils?

Watch here: youtu.be/FwO4Ah8aDtQ

Or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#edusky
“Ofsted Must Help, Not Hinder” - Sir Martyn Oliver on the New Inspection Framework
YouTube video by The Key
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
"Getting help to those children that are struggling is the right thing to do"

Hear Sir Martyn Oliver explain why disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils are at the heart of the new Ofsted framework.

Watch here: youtu.be/FwO4Ah8aDtQ

Or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

#edusky
“Ofsted Must Help, Not Hinder” - Sir Martyn Oliver on the New Inspection Framework
YouTube video by The Key
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This week’s top sector stories 📰

📉 Many secondary pupils feel demotivated by their learning, says new DfE data

💷 Unions call for SBL pay to match other senior staff

📋 Ofsted report says too many pupils are “out of step” with school expectations

Sign up for all stories 👇

#edusky
Trusted by over 140,000 sector professionals, The Key’s free and carefully curated news briefing is perfect for anyone who wants a succinct round-up of the latest developments from the education sector. Sign up today!
key.sc
December 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
NEW: Sir Martyn Oliver joins us to talk about the new Ofsted framework 🎙️

A special bonus episode covering belonging, context, the new grades - and his ambition for a more “humane and fairer” system.

Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwO4...

Or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#edusky
“Ofsted Must Help, Not Hinder” - Sir Martyn Oliver on the New Inspection Framework
YouTube video by The Key
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Have you heard about the new Ofsted nominee role but still aren't really sure what it is? 🤔

Read our blog to find out what the role involves and how to prepare with your nominee so you both feel confident when your school gets the call 👇

#edusky
The Ofsted nominee role: who should take it on and how to prepare | The Key
From November 2025, every school can choose to appoint an Ofsted nominee – a senior member of staff who supports planning, communication and liaison with inspectors throughout the inspection process. ...
thekeysupport.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:53 PM
✨ It’s the most wonderful time of the year… ✨

1st December = time to #ShareSomeJoy!

Spread some light this festive season by adding a message of appreciation to our #ShareSomeJoy noticeboard.

Add your message here: sharesomejoy.thekeysupport.com

#edusky
December 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Take a look at a selection of the new features and resources that our members gained access to in November, including:

✅ Single sign-on for Microsoft users

✅ New training-management tools & improved personal training history view

✅ Bulk staff-list upload & streamlined onboarding

#edusky
The Key: New and updated - November 2025 | The Key
A selection of new and updated features and content from across The Key that our members accessed in November 2025, including the spring safeguarding briefing, details on the new ABIEs and a new oracy...
thekeysupport.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:04 AM
This week’s top sector stories 📰

⚖️ NAHT loses appeal over judicial review on new Ofsted report cards

🗳️ NEU considers strike action over ‘continued underfunding’

⏸️ Ofsted pauses NPQ inspections for the rest of this academic year

Sign up for all stories: key.sc/signupnews

#edusky
Trusted by over 140,000 sector professionals, The Key’s free and carefully curated news briefing is perfect for anyone who wants a succinct round-up of the latest developments from the education sector. Sign up today!
key.sc
November 28, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Last chance to join our Ofsted webinar! 🚨

There’s still time to book your place but spaces are filling fast.

Hear directly from Ofsted deputy directors as they explain the key changes in the 2025 framework and take your questions live.

Register now: cloud.resource.thekeysupport.com/ofstedwebinar
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This week’s top sector stories 📰

🏫 Education secretary introduces new minimum attendance expectations

⚖️ Schools to face legal duty to record and report non-disciplinary seclusion to parents

❤️‍🩹 New report shows staff wellbeing at lowest level since 2019

Sign up for all stories: key.sc/signupnews
November 21, 2025 at 8:28 AM
For the first time, safeguarding is being assessed as its own evaluation area under the new Ofsted framework.

Read our latest blog to find out what this means in practice and how you can make sure your school is inspection-ready 👇

#edusky
Safeguarding in the new Ofsted framework: what you need to know and do | The Key
Ofsted’s new inspection framework came into effect on 10 November 2025, with safeguarding still at the centre of every inspection. For the first time, it’s being assessed as its own evaluation area. H...
thekeysupport.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Still have questions about the new Ofsted 2025 framework?

Join Ofsted deputy directors Sue Morris-King & Helen Matthews for a live Q&A.

✔️ Understand what’s changing
✔️ Ask Ofsted your questions
✔️ Build confidence for inspection

Sign up: cloud.resource.thekeysupport.com/ofstedwebinar

#edusky
November 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The new Ofsted 2025 framework is here - but what does it really mean in practice?

Join our free webinar with Ofsted’s deputy directors to get clarity and ask your questions live.

📅 26 Nov | 4.30–5.30pm | Online

Sign up: cloud.resource.thekeysupport.com/ofstedwebinar

#edusky
November 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Ofsted is moving from grades to report cards - but what does that actually mean for schools? 📋

Our new blog explains how they’ll work, what they’ll include, and what leaders need to know 👇

#edusky
From grades to report cards: how Ofsted will share inspection outcomes | The Key
Big change ahead: from November 2025, Ofsted will no longer give schools a single overall grade. Instead, every inspection will end with a detailed report card of your school’s performance – covering ...
thekeysupport.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Want to know more about what the government's plans for curriculum and assessment are?

Get up to speed here 👇

#edusky
Curriculum and assessment review: summary of the government's response | The Key Leaders
Get up to speed with the government's plans for curriculum and assessment, including a reformed National Curriculum from 2028, removing EBacc performance measures and a new statutory reading test in y...
schoolleaders.thekeysupport.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This week’s top sector stories 📰

📋 DfE has published a major curriculum and assessment review

🔎 Schools will be judged on new enrichment benchmarks during inspections

💷 The government has proposed a teacher pay increase of 6.5%

Sign up for all stories: key.sc/signupnews

#edusky
Trusted by over 140,000 sector professionals, The Key’s free and carefully curated news briefing is perfect for anyone who wants a succinct round-up of the latest developments from the education sector. Sign up today!
key.sc
November 7, 2025 at 11:21 AM
What’s new on The Key?

🆕 Reasonable force eLearning course

🆕 Upload your files to KeyGPT

🆕 Staff briefing on attendance

…and plenty more updates to help you lead with clarity and stay ahead of new requirements.

See everything new and updated in October 👇

#edusky
The Key: New and updated - October 2025 | The Key
A selection of new and updated content from across The Key that our members accessed in October 2025, including Ofsted inspection guidance, and an invitation to our 'Ask Ofsted' webinar.
thekeysupport.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM