Schools Week

Suella Braverman named Reform UK's education spokesperson The former home secretary claimed teacher authority had been 'eroded by violence and disorder'

Former Conservative home secretary and recently-defected Reform UK MP Suella Braverman has been named as the party’s education and skills spokesperson
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/suella-braverman-named-reform-uks-education-spokesperson/

Grammars shine in ‘unfair’ MAT rankings Two of the top three-ranked trusts run grammar schools, up from zero last year

Exclusive: Academy chiefs have railed against new MAT league tables for failing to 'reflect the progress students make in non-selective schools', after dozens dropped places amid changes to the way trusts are ranked
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/grammars-shine-in-unfair-mat-league-tables/

Job cuts loom at trust with £9m deficit Ministers tighten oversight of chain amid concerns over 'weak financial position' and 'continued' breaches

💸 An academy trust loaded with a £9 million deficit has been ordered to slash costs, as it banks on government bailouts to keep it afloat
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/job-cuts-loom-at-trust-with-9m-deficit/

The special schools bringing inclusion into the mainstream Ministers want 'a system that works together'. Schools Week meets three schools leading the way

💭 As the sector awaits the long-delayed SEND reforms, many schools have started to work together to create more inclusive environments.

We spoke to three schools leading the way...


https://schoolsweek.co.uk/sharing-not-siloed-the-special-schools-bringing-inclusion-into-the-mainstream/

Suella Braverman named Reform UK's education spokesperson The former home secretary claimed teacher authority had been 'eroded by violence and disorder'

Former Conservative home secretary and recently-defected Reform UK MP Suella Braverman has been named as the party’s education and skills spokesperson
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/suella-braverman-named-reform-uks-education-spokesperson/

Grammars shine in ‘unfair’ MAT rankings Two of the top three-ranked trusts run grammar schools, up from zero last year

Exclusive: Academy chiefs have railed against new MAT league tables for failing to 'reflect the progress students make in non-selective schools', after dozens dropped places amid changes to the way trusts are ranked
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/grammars-shine-in-unfair-mat-league-tables/

Job cuts loom at trust with £9m deficit Ministers tighten oversight of chain amid concerns over 'weak financial position' and 'continued' breaches

💸 An academy trust loaded with a £9 million deficit has been ordered to slash costs, as it banks on government bailouts to keep it afloat
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/job-cuts-loom-at-trust-with-9m-deficit/

The special schools bringing inclusion into the mainstream Ministers want 'a system that works together'. Schools Week meets three schools leading the way

💭 As the sector awaits the long-delayed SEND reforms, many schools have started to work together to create more inclusive environments.

We spoke to three schools leading the way...


https://schoolsweek.co.uk/sharing-not-siloed-the-special-schools-bringing-inclusion-into-the-mainstream/

Resist the panicky zeitgeist and be brave curriculum makers School leaders are role models for the young. How they behave is as important as what they do

'Most of all, we need courage. Courage to allow ourselves to think big about what we can do with a bit less prescription and a bit more time. It’s time to be brave enough to make a difference'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/resist-the-panicky-zeitgeist-and-be-brave-curriculum-makers/

Boards are too critical to only think about when crises hit Governance rarely makes the headlines. But it sits at the centre of almost every success story

'Governance is not a safety net. It is the foundation of sustained success, and foundations only hold when they are deliberately built, maintained and valued'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/boards-are-too-critical-to-only-think-about-when-crises-hit/

Schools need to end the silence and stigma over infertility No one chooses this journey. But schools can choose compassion and support and send a clear message

'No one chooses this journey. But schools can choose compassion and support and send a clear message that the people who give so much of themselves deserve workplaces that stand beside them as human beings'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-need-to-end-the-silence-and-stigma-over-infertility/

Behaviour expert plays down hubs' restorative practice trend 'The behaviour hubs actively encouraged schools to adopt greater levels of consistency'

Government behaviour adviser Tom Bennett has played down the role of restorative practices in the hubs scheme he helped to develop, after a report found about half of participating schools had adopted the approach
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/behaviour-expert-plays-down-hubs-restorative-practice-trend/

📰 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.

🔗 https://mailchi.mp/mkt.educationscape.com/schools-news-the-weekly-round-up-13369934

Does Ofsted's approach top achievement add up? 'How on earth can you use a national average against a population that’s clearly in no way average?'

Ofsted’s use of the national average when grading schools on achievement could be 'extremely unfair' to those serving disadvantaged communities, leaders have warned

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/does-ofsteds-approach-to-achievement-data-add-up/

Behaviour expert plays down hubs' restorative practice trend 'The behaviour hubs actively encouraged schools to adopt greater levels of consistency'

Government behaviour adviser Tom Bennett has played down the role of restorative practices in the hubs scheme he helped to develop, after a report found about half of participating schools had adopted the approach
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/behaviour-expert-plays-down-hubs-restorative-practice-trend/

Does Ofsted's approach top achievement add up? 'How on earth can you use a national average against a population that’s clearly in no way average?'

Ofsted’s use of the national average when grading schools on achievement could be 'extremely unfair' to those serving disadvantaged communities, leaders have warned

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/does-ofsteds-approach-to-achievement-data-add-up/

KCSIE 2026: Everything schools need to know Proposed guidance strengthens expectations around serious violence and mobile phone use in schools

ICYMI: Schools should report concerns about a child carrying a weapon and make sure they review internet filtering system effectiveness at least once a year, draft new safeguarding guidance states
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/kcsie-2026-everything-schools-need-to-know/

KCSIE 2026: Everything schools need to know Proposed guidance strengthens expectations around serious violence and mobile phone use in schools

Schools should report concerns about a child carrying a weapon and make sure they review internet filtering system effectiveness at least once a year, draft new safeguarding guidance states
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/kcsie-2026-everything-schools-need-to-know/

Looking overseas for SEND policy lessons Different approaches to SEND in 14 countries provide valuable insight for English policymakers

'Most countries are trying to improve their approach to special needs, and several have introduced major reforms against tough odds. There are therefore important lessons we can learn from our neighbours'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/looking-overseas-for-send-policy-lessons/

SEND bailout could 'reduce incentives to contain costs' Leaders welcome write-off plan, but warn there is 'not currently enough money in the system'

School leaders have welcomed ministers’ pledge to wipe nearly all historic SEND deficits, but funding experts warned the bailout could 'reduce the incentives' for councils to 'contain costs'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/send-bailout-could-reduce-incentives-to-contain-costs/

Ofsted requests schools publish report QR code with grades Watchdog wants parents to get links to full reports to avoid 'cherry picking' only positive grades

Ofsted is requesting schools publish a QR code link alongside any content they share from new report cards to help prevent leaders 'cherry picking' grades shared with parents

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-requests-schools-publish-qr-code-with-report-card-content/

‘Inclusion base’ for every school – but who will pay? Leaders call for clarity as data shows current provision - and how it is funded - varies

Ministers face calls to clarify how their plan for an 'inclusion base' in every secondary school will be funded

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/inclusion-base-for-every-school-but-who-will-pay/

KCSIE 2026: Everything schools need to know Proposed guidance strengthens expectations around serious violence and mobile phone use in schools

Schools should report concerns about a child carrying a weapon and make sure they review internet filtering system effectiveness at least once a year, draft new safeguarding guidance states
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/kcsie-2026-everything-schools-need-to-know/

We’ll fail a generation if we say SEND reform is too hard The white paper represents a pivotal moment for policy and system leadership

'Now is the time to step forward together and seize this moment to create one system with high ambition for all children'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/well-fail-a-generation-if-we-say-send-reform-is-too-difficult/

Ofsted reviews data shown in special school report cards New reports currently compare metrics like capacity of special schools to other schools in their phase

Ofsted is considering removing national data comparators for special schools from its report cards, following concerns that labelling them 'well below average' for pupil numbers could confuse and mislead parents

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-reviews-data-shown-in-special-school-report-cards/

Draft gender guidance urges 'very careful approach' Proposed guidance also states there are 'no exceptions' for single-sex spaces in schools

Schools should take a 'very careful approach in relation to social transition', new draft government gender guidance states, with 'particular caution' urged in primary settings

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/draft-gender-guidance-urges-very-careful-approach-to-social-transition/

Mixed trusts are a smart choice, not a messy compromise By design, mixed-setting trusts dissolve the boundaries between 'mainstream' and 'special'

'Mixed-setting trusts are no silver bullet for deep-rooted SEND challenges. But they offer something the system urgently needs: structures that make collaboration inevitable, not optional'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/mixed-setting-trusts-are-a-smart-choice-not-a-messy-compromise/

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

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/

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

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/

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

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/