Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Tuesday
21st Apr 2026
Why the UK joining Erasmus+ is a cause for celebration
Opportunities for schools across the UK and the Erasmus+ network to come together and collaborate are just what the world needs, says Rob Ford
How connected systems can uncover pupil blind spots
If we get the right data in the right context to the right people, we can transform our understanding of pupils, argues David Hatchett
How the Iran war impacts your school鈥檚 budget - and what to do next
The war in the Middle East will affect school budgets in multiple ways, explains MAT leader Tom Campbell, but there is action you can take now to mitigate the disruption
Monday
20th Apr 2026
Government to introduce statutory 鈥榖an鈥� on phones in schools
Announcement comes just days after education minister Olivia Bailey told MPs that the problem of phones in schools was 鈥榓lready solved鈥�
The education 鈥榝aultlines鈥� some believe will undermine inclusion
In this week鈥檚 糖心Vlog Daily newsletter leader, Jon Severs looks at the growing calls to broaden the curriculum offer in schools ahead of SEND reform
Why 鈥榚xperts at hand鈥� could create the SEND capacity we need
Two long-serving senior leaders reflect on how SEND support has evolved and argue that the government鈥檚 plan to provide expert support to mainstream schools could work well in a MAT landscape
SEND reforms 鈥榬isk overlooking developmental language disorder鈥�
Charity calls on government to improve training and support plans for pupils with DLD
Friday
17th Apr 2026
NEU members willing to take industrial action over pay and funding
Overwhelming majority of teacher members who voted in indicative ballot reject three-year pay recommendation and indicate support for taking action, but turnout was less than 50 per cent
SEND reform: Individual support plans must not reduce pupils鈥� rights
Lawyers at the charity Independent Provider of Special Education Advice聽explain why the detail in the government鈥檚 plans for SEND support needs to be carefully thought through
SEND: 4 ways to set up a successful inclusion base
With the government planning for every secondary to have an inclusion base, one school business leader who researched mainstream SEND provision for her MBA shares key advice on getting these units right
Where are the 鈥榖ig levers鈥� of curriculum and assessment in SEND reforms?
For a more inclusive system, ministers must rethink what children learn and how success is measured, say school leaders 鈥� who fear that an opportunity has been missed on curriculum and assessment