Warwick Mansell
@warwickmansell.bsky.social
Dad of two. Founder/writer of the website Education Uncovered. Investigating and reporting on education policy since 1997. Please support my work via a subscription to educationuncovered.co.uk Views personal.
New: The Francis review: Good in parts, but with one huge omission
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/the...
My initial take on the curriculum and assessment review. Better in the micro than the macro, I think.
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/the...
My initial take on the curriculum and assessment review. Better in the micro than the macro, I think.
Education Uncovered | Analysis| The Francis review: Good in parts, but with one huge omission
Review seemed better on the micro than on the big picture of how children are experiencing school.
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 AM
New: The Francis review: Good in parts, but with one huge omission
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/the...
My initial take on the curriculum and assessment review. Better in the micro than the macro, I think.
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/the...
My initial take on the curriculum and assessment review. Better in the micro than the macro, I think.
Reposted by Warwick Mansell
Lots of thought-provoking stats in this release from the Institute for Government, not least: "In 2023–24, there were an average of five suspensions in every secondary school class, more than double the highest rate seen pre-pandemic." www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/press-releas...
Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities | Institute for Government
The government’s spending plans mean it will struggle to narrow gaps in educational outcomes by the end of this parliament.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Lots of thought-provoking stats in this release from the Institute for Government, not least: "In 2023–24, there were an average of five suspensions in every secondary school class, more than double the highest rate seen pre-pandemic." www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/press-releas...
Teaching grammatical terminology inc fronted adverbials in Key Stage 2. Review: "Responses to our Call for Evidence suggest that this content is advanced and overly theoretical at this key stage, disengages pupils, + does not help them to write well." See also: www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Battle on the adverbials front: grammar advisers raise worries about Sats tests and teaching
The panel of four who advised Michael Gove on the primary spelling and grammar test now have reservations
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Teaching grammatical terminology inc fronted adverbials in Key Stage 2. Review: "Responses to our Call for Evidence suggest that this content is advanced and overly theoretical at this key stage, disengages pupils, + does not help them to write well." See also: www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reading the curriculum and assessment review. Very interesting, and will offer longer thoughts when through. But reflecting on lack of mention, at least at the start, for the copious concerning evidence we have on pupil wellbeing/engagement,+lack of a parent or pupil representation on review panel.
November 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reading the curriculum and assessment review. Very interesting, and will offer longer thoughts when through. But reflecting on lack of mention, at least at the start, for the copious concerning evidence we have on pupil wellbeing/engagement,+lack of a parent or pupil representation on review panel.
Also on "isolation": "The question for all of us, then, is: do isolation or removal rooms work?": www.teamteach.com/the-problem-...
The Problem with Isolation and Removal Rooms - Team Teach
With the recent change of government in the UK, we will undoubtedly be facing many changes to the education sector. While the newly-elected Prime Minister undoubtedly faces a range of pressing demands...
www.teamteach.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Also on "isolation": "The question for all of us, then, is: do isolation or removal rooms work?": www.teamteach.com/the-problem-...
This is interesting on the isolation/reset/internal exclusion etc debate: "Why I got rid of isolation at my school": www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Why I got rid of isolation at my school
One head makes the case against isolating students for poor behaviour - and explains the improvements she has seen since abandoning the policy at her school
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This is interesting on the isolation/reset/internal exclusion etc debate: "Why I got rid of isolation at my school": www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Interesting that Bridget Phillipson's first point, in Today prog interview about DfE's response to the Francis review, was in terms of the government now extending the national curriculum to all state-funded schools. Although this wasn't mentioned, this of course includes academies.
November 5, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Interesting that Bridget Phillipson's first point, in Today prog interview about DfE's response to the Francis review, was in terms of the government now extending the national curriculum to all state-funded schools. Although this wasn't mentioned, this of course includes academies.
Curriculum and assessment review's proposal to reduce GCSE exam time by "at least 10%," which has been translated to a 3 hour cut per pupil, interesting. But seems to fall short of argument of head of OCR exam board last year of 8-10 hour cut. educationuncovered.co.uk/news/cut-the...
Education Uncovered | News| Cut the number and length of GCSE exam papers to boost pupil wellbeing, says head of one of England’s big three exam boards
England's big three boards are now all calling for reductions in the number of exams pupils take.
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Curriculum and assessment review's proposal to reduce GCSE exam time by "at least 10%," which has been translated to a 3 hour cut per pupil, interesting. But seems to fall short of argument of head of OCR exam board last year of 8-10 hour cut. educationuncovered.co.uk/news/cut-the...
Comment on LinkedIn on this piece, from a primary headteacher: "If the curriculum and assessment review is to have meaning, it must look beyond exam tweaks and reimagine what we value. High standards matter, but so does high wellbeing. I hope Becky Francis and the review team have really listened."
New: “Will the Francis curriculum and assessment review provide the radical look at the in-the-round impact of England’s school system on young people that is desperately needed?” Viewable (open access) here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/wil... +here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/will-the-f...
Education Uncovered | Analysis| Will the Francis curriculum and assessment review provide the radical look at the in-the-round impact of England’s school system on young people that is desperately ne...
But I would love to be proven wrong on this.
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Comment on LinkedIn on this piece, from a primary headteacher: "If the curriculum and assessment review is to have meaning, it must look beyond exam tweaks and reimagine what we value. High standards matter, but so does high wellbeing. I hope Becky Francis and the review team have really listened."
New: “Will the Francis curriculum and assessment review provide the radical look at the in-the-round impact of England’s school system on young people that is desperately needed?” Viewable (open access) here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/wil... +here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/will-the-f...
Education Uncovered | Analysis| Will the Francis curriculum and assessment review provide the radical look at the in-the-round impact of England’s school system on young people that is desperately ne...
But I would love to be proven wrong on this.
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 1:17 PM
New: “Will the Francis curriculum and assessment review provide the radical look at the in-the-round impact of England’s school system on young people that is desperately needed?” Viewable (open access) here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/wil... +here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/will-the-f...
True dat. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Are your kids obsessed with ‘6-7’? Here’s my plan to break the spell | Dave Schilling
Rules seem unlikely to help – kids will just rebel. Instead, try saying it all the time yourself
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:16 PM
True dat. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It is quite a contrast with what goes on in many modern workplaces, for sure.
November 3, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It is quite a contrast with what goes on in many modern workplaces, for sure.
New: Academy trust cuts sanction for children with “inappropriate hairstyles” from three days in isolation to two:
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
Education Uncovered | News| Academy trust cuts sanction for children with “inappropriate hairstyles” from three days in isolation to two
Pupils at the Gorse Academies Trust also face “isolation” for “lines in their eyebrows,” for uniform violations, or for forgetting their student planner twice, its behaviour policy states. However, th...
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
New: Academy trust cuts sanction for children with “inappropriate hairstyles” from three days in isolation to two:
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
The Times reporting that DfE's curriculum and assessment review will make triple science a statutory entitlement for all pupils. Implications perhaps for Eng's most successful Progress 8 school, Michaela, where almost all pupils take double science. www.thetimes.com/uk/education...
Science GCSEs to get biggest overhaul in more than a decade
All schools must teach each science separately, as part of a government review into the curriculum to boost social mobility across England
www.thetimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The Times reporting that DfE's curriculum and assessment review will make triple science a statutory entitlement for all pupils. Implications perhaps for Eng's most successful Progress 8 school, Michaela, where almost all pupils take double science. www.thetimes.com/uk/education...
Interesting story from @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social of @schoolsweek.bsky.social , but dubious language from DfE: "When responsible bodies acquire a new school..."
In the state sector, these bodies aren't "acquring" schools; they're being handed them.
schoolsweek.co.uk/strategic-sc...
In the state sector, these bodies aren't "acquring" schools; they're being handed them.
schoolsweek.co.uk/strategic-sc...
Revealed: DfE finally explains shady academy capital fund
DfE finally publishes guidance on shady academy fund that has paid out tens of millions over the past decade
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Interesting story from @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social of @schoolsweek.bsky.social , but dubious language from DfE: "When responsible bodies acquire a new school..."
In the state sector, these bodies aren't "acquring" schools; they're being handed them.
schoolsweek.co.uk/strategic-sc...
In the state sector, these bodies aren't "acquring" schools; they're being handed them.
schoolsweek.co.uk/strategic-sc...
“Labour truly focusing on within-school improvement, rather than changes in structures, Education Uncovered hears”
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/dia...
Interesting take on recent Tim Coulson appearance at DfE school improvement conference, in this new diary column.
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/dia...
Interesting take on recent Tim Coulson appearance at DfE school improvement conference, in this new diary column.
Education Uncovered | Diary| Shouldn’t they concentrate on their own schools? Five MAT CEOs, picked by government to advise on school improvement, have academies on list of those needing improvement
Analysis of schools and advisers on "RISE" lists shows the paradoxes and complexities of school improvement within England's fragmented organisational environment. Plus: we are leaked some "outdated" ...
educationuncovered.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
“Labour truly focusing on within-school improvement, rather than changes in structures, Education Uncovered hears”
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/dia...
Interesting take on recent Tim Coulson appearance at DfE school improvement conference, in this new diary column.
educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/dia...
Interesting take on recent Tim Coulson appearance at DfE school improvement conference, in this new diary column.
"Responsibility, not rhetoric": really interesting post on Tom Bennett, inclusion law and the implications of a DfE advisory position: senddaddiaries.substack.com/p/sdd-guest-...
SDD Guest Article: When Behaviour Culture Collides with Law: The Danger of DfE Advisers Ignoring Equality Duties
Tom Bennett - described publicly as the Department for Education’s Behaviour Ambassador - published a post on X (fka Twitter) on 9 October that distilled a contested set of ideas about “inclusion,” “h...
senddaddiaries.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"Responsibility, not rhetoric": really interesting post on Tom Bennett, inclusion law and the implications of a DfE advisory position: senddaddiaries.substack.com/p/sdd-guest-...
Confidentiality (gagging) clauses used in "majority" of school staff severance agreements, a lawyer from the firm Browne Jacobson states in this piece:
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-risk-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-risk-...
Trusts 'risk breaching rules' over confidentiality clauses
Warning as academies must now secure DfE go-ahead before using confidentiality clauses in severance deals
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Confidentiality (gagging) clauses used in "majority" of school staff severance agreements, a lawyer from the firm Browne Jacobson states in this piece:
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-risk-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-risk-...
New (open access) piece: “Tom Bennett’s views on school isolation research are ridiculous”
Read here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/tom... or here: open.substack.com/pub/warwickm...
Read here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/tom... or here: open.substack.com/pub/warwickm...
Education Uncovered | Analysis| Tom Bennett’s views on school isolation research are ridiculous
Trying to shut down the debate, without taking seriously the evidence on a subject with seemingly far-reaching impact, jars against the notion of promoting research, while failing to acknowledge that ...
educationuncovered.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
New (open access) piece: “Tom Bennett’s views on school isolation research are ridiculous”
Read here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/tom... or here: open.substack.com/pub/warwickm...
Read here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/tom... or here: open.substack.com/pub/warwickm...
Updated DfE guidance on severance payments: "Academy trusts must ensure that the use of confidentiality clauses associated with staff severance payments do not prevent an individual's right to make disclosures in the public interest (whistleblowing) under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998."
October 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Updated DfE guidance on severance payments: "Academy trusts must ensure that the use of confidentiality clauses associated with staff severance payments do not prevent an individual's right to make disclosures in the public interest (whistleblowing) under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998."
Guardian front page www.theguardian.com/education/20... and case study www.theguardian.com/education/20... on the use of "isolation" in schools.
Great to see this reported on and discussed. Needs more scrutiny.
Great to see this reported on and discussed. Needs more scrutiny.
One in 12 secondary pupils put in isolation rooms at least once a week, study finds
Children with special educational needs more than twice as likely to be put in isolation, say Manchester researchers
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Guardian front page www.theguardian.com/education/20... and case study www.theguardian.com/education/20... on the use of "isolation" in schools.
Great to see this reported on and discussed. Needs more scrutiny.
Great to see this reported on and discussed. Needs more scrutiny.
New: Scores of job cuts lined up by academy trust, whose schools’ “topslice” soared up to six-fold in three years.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/scores-...
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has said that “like many trusts nationally, we are facing financial challenges”.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/scores-...
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has said that “like many trusts nationally, we are facing financial challenges”.
Education Uncovered | News| Scores of job cuts lined up by academy trust, whose schools’ “topslice” soared up to six-fold in three years
Last year the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership charged its schools a topslice of 20 per cent - more than £1m each in five of its schools. It is now poised to cut up to 100 jobs.
educationuncovered.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:36 AM
New: Scores of job cuts lined up by academy trust, whose schools’ “topslice” soared up to six-fold in three years.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/scores-...
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has said that “like many trusts nationally, we are facing financial challenges”.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/scores-...
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has said that “like many trusts nationally, we are facing financial challenges”.
New: Academy trust which ran into trouble after spending “millions” on iPads for pupils and staff now under fire over plans to close school sixth form
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
Detailed read on v controversial move by Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
Detailed read on v controversial move by Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.
Education Uncovered | News| Academy trust which ran into trouble after spending “millions” on iPads for pupils and staff now under fire over plans to close school sixth form
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has told parents that the sixth form had had “very low numbers for a number of years”. Yet its roll had been beyond that set out in its funding agreement with the DfE...
educationuncovered.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 7:48 AM
New: Academy trust which ran into trouble after spending “millions” on iPads for pupils and staff now under fire over plans to close school sixth form
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
Detailed read on v controversial move by Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/academy...
Detailed read on v controversial move by Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.
New (open access) piece: "Ofsted doesn’t seem to get the picture on competition versus inclusion in England’s schools system" Readable here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/ofs...
and here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/ofsted-doe...
Think piece on Sir Martyn Oliver's statements this week to MPs.
and here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/ofsted-doe...
Think piece on Sir Martyn Oliver's statements this week to MPs.
Education Uncovered | Analysis| Ofsted doesn’t seem to get the picture on competition versus inclusion in England’s schools system
The inspectorate's approach to inclusion seems to lack the teeth that are required, in the face of strong incentives in England's competitive schools system to do the "wrong" thing by children who are...
educationuncovered.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New (open access) piece: "Ofsted doesn’t seem to get the picture on competition versus inclusion in England’s schools system" Readable here: educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/ofs...
and here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/ofsted-doe...
Think piece on Sir Martyn Oliver's statements this week to MPs.
and here: warwickmansell.substack.com/p/ofsted-doe...
Think piece on Sir Martyn Oliver's statements this week to MPs.