Guidance

The latest news, analysis and best-practice advice when it comes to official education guidance coming from the government, inspectorates and governing bodies

Friday

2nd May 2025

Heads demand clarity on the legal right to seclude pupils
School leaders voice fears over changes to government guidance on the use of restraint, warning that they could lead to the unfair treatment of pupils with SEND
Pupil sitting on her own

Monday

28th Apr 2025

Trans students should not use toilet of their identified gender, says guidance
Equality and Human Rights Commission publishes an interim update to guidance for schools following Supreme Court ruling
Trans pupils should not use toilets of gender they identify with - guidance

Monday

7th Apr 2025

Are these the 20 essentials to ‘unlocking’ high-quality teaching?
An OECD report, based on feedback from schools in 40 countries, has broken down what needs to happen to ensure teachers are operating at their best
Are these the 20 essentials to 'unlocking' high-quality teaching?

Wednesday

26th Mar 2025

MATs told to seek DfE approval for ‘contentious transactions’
New guidance sets out what transactions may be considered ‘novel, contentious and repercussive’ amid a row over one academy trust’s plan for an alternative pension scheme
MATs have been issued with new government guidance on transactions

Friday

21st Mar 2025

DfE wants schools to meet six digital standards by 2030
The government has also announced a £25m investment to upgrade wireless networks in schools
DfE wants schools to meet six digital standards by 2030

Friday

7th Mar 2025

Government doing ‘too little, too slowly’ on mobile phones, MPs told
Ministers under fire over ‘watered-down’ second version of the Safer Phones Bill, which no longer includes consideration of a statutory mobile phone ban in schools
School children with mobile phones

Wednesday

5th Mar 2025

‘Imperative’ for schools to talk up apprenticeships, report finds
School leavers from minority-ethnic backgrounds will gain most if apprenticeships are put on a par with university and further education, says Skills Development Scotland report
‘Imperative’ for schools to talk up apprenticeships, report finds

Tuesday

4th Feb 2025

Schools legally required to report use of reasonable force
The government has updated its 2013 guidance on how schools should use reasonable force and other restrictive practices
Pupil sitting against a wall

Monday

23rd Dec 2024

Gender-based violence scheme ‘needs to reach more schools’
Programme to tackle gender-based violence runs in only a third of secondaries, but Scottish government insists it is addressing ‘deeply concerning’ rise of misogynistic behaviour in schools
Call for gender-based violence programme to reach more schools

Monday

16th Dec 2024

Ofsted criticises curriculum ‘barriers’ for SEND pupils in mainstream
Some mainstream school leaders focus on ‘meeting school accountability measures’ when developing SEND curriculum offer, watchdog says
Thumbs down
What do headteachers look for in job applicants?
When applying for a new teaching job, be aware of the key qualities your interview panel will be looking for, says this secondary head and former School Leaders Scotland president
Magnifying glass people

Wednesday

11th Dec 2024

Most secondary teachers uninterested in AI, research finds
Survey shows majority of secondary school teachers are not using AI tools for learning and assessment, amid calls for more training and guidance
Teachers AI