Andrea Hope

Confusing communications create same old policy problems ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio laments that the new government seems to have learned little from the past as it continues to issue ‘policy via press release’

Government has every right to set the overall direction of education policy, but what leaders need in return is genuine engagement – not announcements delivered via press releases, says @ascl-uk.bsky.social's @pepediiasio.bsky.social

Nice!

A reminder that it is the launch event on 21 January for our Neuroinclusive Leaders' Community, a free professional space for #neurodivergent school and college leaders. You do not have to be an #ASCLmember to join our first session.

Find out more at www.ascl.org.uk/Neuroinclusiveleaders

#DEIB

Get 2026 off to a great start and join our community of over 25,000 senior leaders in every type of #education setting from primary to post-16.

Join ASCL this month and you'll benefit from 50% off membership fees until Dec 2026.

We're here to support and represent you: www.ascl.org.uk/join

Look after yourself, Roy. See you next week. X

Wow! Looks amazing!

Great to present for @ascl-uk.bsky.social at today’s trailblazing Kent #PathwaysForAll event! Fab to see schools, FE & specialist FE leaders, employers & LA united to ensure ambitious post-16 pathways, tackle NEET & address skills gaps.Grateful for all insights shared - true collaboration in action!

All feels so unjust, Roy. So difficult to process something that doesn't make any sense...

Yr 13 student applying to university to study Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic. Anyone out there with sufficient expertise in this field who might be willing to do a mock interview to help them prepare in exchange for the handsome reward of my eternal gratitude?

5 helpful ways ministers can support schools to cut costs With no new funding expected for schools at the budget, one leader outlines how costs could be cut

‘If there is to be no more money – and we have to make do with less (again) – then there are some real expenditures the Department for Education could actively work on reducing that would help hugely’

schoolsweek.co.uk/5-helpful-wa...

We have our first online Purposeful Women session this Saturday 22nd November at 3pm. We’ve created this space and time for women who are juggling pressures and looking for practical guidance and genuine support. If you are interested then message me to book a free place, you would be very welcome.

Ofsted slammed over secret consultation analysis method Experts warn of 'risk' decision-makers at inspectorate were not 'provided with the relevant information'

EXCLUSIVE: Ofsted has again refused to release data showing how many people supported or opposed its report card inspection plans – saying the 'vast majority' of the 6,500 responses were not actually categorised by 'sentiment'

schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-slamm...

#ASCLmembers: the latest #Primary Focus by @tiffharris.bsky.social is out now, with a closer look at the #Curriculum and #Assessment Review and its implications for primary schools, updates on #Ofsted under the new inspection framework, and upcoming professional development opportunities.

Delighted to be at the launch of the RSC Shakespeare Curriculum this morning with input from @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social Sir Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren and many other wonderful people

Great to publish the Curriculum and Assessment Review this morning

Thanks so much again to the expert panel, including @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @jonhutchinson.bsky.social @jo-annebaird.bsky.social and the others for their wisdom

Curriculum review: what does it say about your subject? The newly published review of curriculum and assessment makes a series of recommendations across different subjects. Find out how your subject could change if the government takes forward its proposal...

I want to pass on my sincere thanks to Professor Becky Francis and her expert panel.

I knew from opposition that Prof Francis was the person I wanted to revitalise & renew our curriculum.

She has been unflinching in her drive for high standards for all.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

So much good sense here...

Funding, recruitment, and accountability pressures mean these are tough times for #education leaders. As an #ASCLmember, you’ll be part of an organisation which lobbies for principled, evidence-based policy solutions.

Join ASCL today with our special discounted fee offer: www.ascl.org.uk/join

Absolutely lovely and moving tribute to Dawn in this months edition of RE Today (Autumn 2025 Vol.43 No1).

Some of you are on #halftermbreak this week, others will be finishing tomorrow for what will hopefully be a chance to rest and recharge.

#ASCLmembers: if you need to get in touch this week or next, the ASCL Hotline is here for you, seven days a week.

ℹ️ www.ascl.org.uk/hotline

From us all at ASCL, we wish you a happy #Diwali and #BandiChhorDivas.

Massively looking forward to the show. First time for our 15 year old son to see The Divine Comedy. He says his life has been building to this moment - no pressure!

It's our first #ASCLCouncil of the new academic year later this week where we'll be focusing on influencing the next steps in the Government's upcoming White Papers.

ASCL Council is our governing body, and also the engine room of our policymaking.

Find out more at www.ascl.org.uk/council

Why education can never be fun Proven with maths

Latest on our Substack - I attempt to prove mathematically that education can never be fun, with reference to The Flowerpot Men, Jock Stein & the Galapagos tortoise.

substack.nomoremarking.com/p/why-educat...

If you’re a @ascl-uk.bsky.social member with a post-16 provision, please do check you are subscribed to our post-16 newsletters to ensure you don’t miss out on any important sector updates.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. Except it doesn’t bend on its own—it bends because we pull it in the direction of justice. What keeps me hopeful during times like these is being surrounded by people who are doing just that.

"ASCL was ready to listen and guide me through the problems I was facing. They reassured me that someone did care, and I was not alone."

#ASCLmembers - the ASCL Hotline is here to help.

ℹ️ www.ascl.org.uk/Hotline

#education #SLT #leadership #tradeunion

Totally amazing! 💜💜

Thanks to our panel with @edupolicyinst.bsky.social at the #LabourPartyConference for a fascinating exploration of the risks, challenges, and opportunities of #AI in #education.

With @timleunig.bsky.social @dhaywood77.bsky.social Prof Rose Luckin @jzuccollo.bsky.social & @pepediiasio.bsky.social