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School referrals to Prevent hit a ‘dead end’, warns commissioner

Dame Rachel de Souza calls for a change in the law after data shows most school referrals to the anti-terrorism programme bounce back with no action taken

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Over a quarter of students ‘not very motivated’ to learn, DfE finds

Just under seven in 10 secondary students surveyed said they felt they belonged in school, prompting concerns about impact on life after school

NEU to hold indicative ballot over potential strike

The teaching union warns it will take 'whatever action necessary' in face of school funding pressures

Training alone will not solve SEND crisis, ITT providers warn

Teacher trainers say they do not have enough time to cover the breadth of special educational needs and disabilities in initial teacher training

Assistive tech use grows - but many teachers remain untrained

Schools are also restricting pupils' use of artificial intelligence for homework and live lessons, research finds

RE’s path to national curriculum hits ‘really big’ staffing hurdles

'Postcode lottery' of provision must also be addressed if curriculum review's aim for RE to become part of national curriculum is to be realised, says subject body

Warning over ‘unchecked’ safeguarding audits

Trust leaders tell ÌÇÐÄVlog that the process of submitting safeguarding audits to councils is 'like marking your own homework', and putting unnecessary pressure on school staff

Parent allegations against teachers rise by a third

Research showing an increase in allegations highlights a 'fraying of relationships' between families and schools, warns parents' charity

School staff shortages ‘harming pupils’ education and safety’

Support staff union warns that shortages are 'unsustainable', with three in five staff reporting having fewer colleagues than a year ago

Most students see phones being used in class against school rules

DfE survey finds more than half of secondary school students saw mobile phones being used when not allowed at least some of the time

MAT to pilot later starts as part of KS3 ‘revolution’

Lift Schools and Reach Foundation launch a programme to tackle disengagement in Years 7 to 9, including testing out a later start to the school day

3 ways government could reform SEND funding, according to IFS

With SEND spending set to be absorbed by central government, the Institute for Fiscal Studies sets out where the money could come from

At least one in six students given extra time in exams last year

Ofqual figures show an increase in the proportion of students with arrangements for extra exam time

EYFS: Rise in Reception pupils with ‘good’ development

DfE data shows an increase in the proportion of four- and five-year-olds meeting their development targets – although results are still below pre-Covid levels

Ofsted SEND inspections: key failings revealed

ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis highlights the main findings in SEND inspection reports for the areas found to have systemic or widespread failings this year

The key to teacher recruitment? Pay and workload

While graduates value the social impact of teaching, starting salaries and weekly working hours are more likely to determine whether they enter the profession, research shows

NEU weighs up strike action over ‘continued school underfunding’

England's biggest education union warns it 'will not accept another pay cut' in response to today's Budget

Budget 2025: what schools need to know

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget sparks warnings about a real-terms drop in school funding but includes spending on school libraries and books. Here are all the key details for the sector

Ofsted pauses NPQ inspections

Watchdog stops routine inspections of national professional qualifications for 2025-26, at education secretary Bridget Phillipson's request

Debt-hit council urges action on SEND reform

Council leader writes to Bridget Phillipson on eve of the Budget, warning financial crisis is forcing local authorities into 'impossible decisions'

Heads’ union loses appeal against Ofsted ruling

The NAHT had appealed against a decision not to grant a judicial review into the launch of new Ofsted school inspections

Teacher contact time plans include assemblies, tech and timetabling

Scottish government proposals also call for pilot schemes to ‘begin immediately’ but councils have ‘significant concerns’ about cost and impact – and, along with unions, say they’ve been blindsided

Ofsted’s new inspections cause ‘greater stress’, warn heads

But schools taking part in the first inspections under the new report-card system also report that the process feels more collaborative

‘Generational shift’ in reading for pleasure sparks inquiry

MPs will investigate why fewer children are reading at home and highlight good in practice in schools that is getting pupils into books

EMET appoints Paul Smith as new chief executive

The Northern Schools Trust chief education officer says he is excited to create 'world-class' opportunities for pupils and staff when he takes up the post