Saturday
AI targets won’t tackle attendance crisis, heads warn
In response to new AI-powered attendance targets for every school, leaders tell the DfE that there is no ‘quick solution’ to the pupil absence problem
School autonomy shouldn’t mean having to find ‘gaps in hedges’
If we want to be a truly inclusive education system, the assessment and accountability frameworks that penalise inclusion need to be changed, argues this headteacher
Friday
Government was not prepared for ‘enormous’ task of school closures
If restrictions had been put in place sooner, then lockdown could have been shorter – or not necessary at all, Covid inquiry report also finds
Nick Gibb: Smartphones are ‘asbestos’ for children
Former schools minister also criticises the government for scrapping the EBacc performance measure, which he says will affect uptake of modern languages
Why do teachers get such a bad deal on maternity pay?
With women making up the vast majority of the workforce, could better maternity leave pay help tackle the teacher retention crisis?
What US schools taught us about motivating pupils
Visiting schools in Ohio where assessment is turned into a celebration got this MAT leader thinking about ways to use healthy competition to drive engagement and outcomes
How a school running club proved a surprise success
From wellbeing benefits to health boosts – and lots of fun, too – a school leader in Devon explains how getting the trainers on and hitting the trails has benefited students and staff
Special schools fear being an ‘afterthought’ on curriculum
In response to the curriculum review, leaders in the specialist sector urge the DfE to focus more on what is taught in special schools and how best practice can be shared
Many ‘overwhelmed’ headteachers leave role within five years
Some 30 per cent of primary heads and 38 per cent of secondary leaders under 50 are leaving their posts within five years, analysis by the NAHT shows
Thursday
Ofqual chief: Schools can already cut exam times
Choosing between exam boards enables schools to reduce exam times to a degree ‘not all that different’ to that envisaged by the Francis review, says Sir Ian Bauckham
Suspensions fall but remain higher than before Covid
Permanent exclusions from school have also dropped and are now similar to pre-pandemic levels, DfE figures show
SEND: Resource bases ‘can be exclusion in its worst sense’
Mainstream and AP leaders question the government’s focus on resourced provision and SEN units in its drive to create a more inclusive school system
