The Key

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

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

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...

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 👇

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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

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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

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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 ...

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 👇

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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...

Want to know more about what the government's plans for curriculum and assessment are?

Get up to speed here 👇

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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

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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.

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 👇

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What if you could ask Ofsted your questions directly? Now you can!

Join Ofsted’s Sue Morris-King & Helen Matthews with The Key’s Kaley Foran to unpack the new 2025 inspection framework.

📅 26 Nov, 4:30–5:30pm

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

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Ofsted’s new framework explained: what schools need to know | The Key From 10 November 2025, all inspections for state-funded schools will take place under Ofsted’s new framework, which has a stronger focus on inclusion, wellbeing, context and leadership. Here’s what’s ...

From 10 November 2025, inspections of all state-funded schools will be under Ofsted’s new framework - and it’s got major changes.

Our latest blog dives into what’s changing, why it matters and how your school can get ready 👇

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This week’s top sector stories 📰

🆕 Gov plans new vocational + ‘stepping stone’ quals for post-16 pupils

💷 Report calls for a national teacher training strategy to cut financial waste

📚 Bridget Phillipson sets 90% target for Yr1 phonics check

Sign up for all stories: key.sc/signupnews

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Assistant headship: your first years | The Key CPD

What does ‘thriving’ really look like as an assistant head?

Join our hands-on course for new and soon-to-be assistant heads, hosted by Jodie Cousins, and find out what thriving really looks like in action.

Book on here 👇

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Ofsted nominee: who to choose and how to support them | The Key Leaders Understand what the Ofsted nominee does, and who may be suitable to become the nominee in your team. Plus, see tips on how to support your nominee to prepare for the role, divide workload during an in...

Want to learn more about the new Ofsted nominee role? 👀

Understand what the Ofsted nominee does, and who may be suitable to become the nominee in your team with our resource 👇

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This week’s top sector stories 📰

⌛ SEND adviser admits that reforms are taking longer than the sector had hoped

🧑‍⚖️ ASCL is considering legal action over new Ofsted reforms

📚 YouGov survey reveals 3 out of 4 teachers are worried about misogyny in schools

Sign up for all stories: key.sc/signupnews

Artificial intelligence (AI) risks: staff briefing | The Key Safeguarding

Do you know how to respond to an AI safeguarding incident? 🤔

Use our 45-minute briefing to train staff in recognising and responding to safeguarding risks related to AI 👇

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This week’s top sector stories 📰

✂️ DfE to cut teacher training bursaries following rise in recruitment

❌ Former Ofsted chief inspector criticises reforms

📚 Phillipson vows to address outcomes for white working-class pupils

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Sign up for all stories 👇

What school leaders can learn from our most popular podcast on attendance | The Key Discover 3 proven school attendance strategies from Jayne Lowe OBE, DfE adviser and expert behind the Working Together to Improve Attendance guidance.

There’s a reason Jayne Lowe’s episode on attendance struck such a chord with school leaders 🎙️

We’ve captured the standout lessons and practical takeaways from our most popular Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership episode so far 👇

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KeyGPT just got smarter ✨

We’ve rolled out some exciting updates to make your AI assistant even more powerful...

Try it here: ai.thekeysupport.com

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How AI is changing schools – and what you need to know | The Key Artificial intelligence isn’t just shaping the future, it’s already part of everyday life – and it’s starting to reshape schools. From cutting down on admin to drafting exam-day guidance, AI is a fas...

AI is already transforming education - but what does that look like in practice? 🤖

In our latest blog, we explore how AI is changing schools, what leaders need to know, and how your trust or school can navigate this shift responsibly 👇

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This week’s top sector stories 📰

➡️ Schools to play a greater role in post-16 pupil destinations

♻️ 2/3 of schools are yet to appoint a sustainability lead, new poll finds

🗣️ Bridget Phillipson is calling for more headteacher training on communicating with parents/carers

Sign up: key.sc/signupnews

The Key: New and updated - September 2025 | The Key A selection of new and updated content from across The Key that our members accessed in September 2025, including support for getting to grips with the new Ofsted 2025 inspection framework.

Take a look at a selection of the new and updated content our members gained access to in September, including:

🆕 Ofsted inspection framework 2025: summary of changes

🆕 SEF: guidance and template

🆕 School accountability reform: a summary

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How to stay compliant with KCSIE 2025 | The Key Another September, another update to Keeping Children Safe in Education, the statutory guidance that sets out safeguarding responsibilities for schools. While the changes are largely technical, they m...

Want peace of mind that you’re fully compliant with KCSIE 2025 this year?

We’ve pulled together a straightforward summary with the key takeaways you need to know ✅

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Self-evaluation form (SEF): guidance and template | The Key Leaders Get help writing your school's self-evaluation form (SEF). Download our template SEF, based on Ofsted's 2025 inspection framework, to evaluate your provision and identify areas for improvement.

Your new SEF checklist is here 👇

Download our template SEF, based on Ofsted's 2025 inspection framework, to evaluate your provision and identify areas for improvement.

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This week’s top sector stories 📰

🏫 Concerns raised over how Ofsted will inspect attainment

💰 70%+ of primary schools expect to face budget deficits due to falling pupil numbers

📄 Support for schools needed to help tackle misogyny and violence against girls

Sign up for more: key.sc/signupnews

Here are this week’s top sector stories 📰

📋 MP committee reveals plan to address issues in the SEND system

🏫 Government to set new expectations for schools on engaging with parents

💰 Union calls for government action as the gender pay gap widens

Sign up for all stories: key.sc/signupnews

Most-read by school leaders: 10 essential resources from 2024/25 | The Key As schools settle back into the rhythm of a new term this September, now’s a great time to look back at the resources school leaders turned to most last year. The issues that were top of mind in 2024/...

What were school leaders like you reading most last year? 👀

From safeguarding to GDPR, the issues that topped the list in 2024/25 are just as relevant this year.

We’ve rounded up the 10 most-read resources to share quick takeaways you can put into practice this September and beyond 👇

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We’re looking forward to attending MATPN South West next week!

We’ll be there with our brilliant colleagues from Robin, come and say hello if you’re attending 👋

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A 5-step back-to-school checklist for school leaders | The Key A smooth September sets the tone for the year ahead. From welcoming new colleagues into your school to mapping out the academic calendar, we’ve pulled together 5 essential areas for school leaders lik...

A smooth September sets the tone for the year ahead 🍂

From welcoming new staff to planning your academic calendar, we’ve pulled together 5 essential steps every school leader should focus on this term.

Read the full checklist here 👇

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Here are this week’s top sector stories 📰

📋 New Ofsted inspection framework released

⬆️ New guidance requires schools to take steps to improve attendance

📣 Children's commissioner calls for new 'education plans' for vulnerable pupils

#edusky

Sign up 👇