Pastoral

The latest news, analysis and advice on pastoral support, including pupil mental health and wellbeing, attendance and non-academic development

Wednesday

27th Sep 2023

Attendance crisis: MPs call for ‘major’ mental health plan
More support for SEND and mental health would reduce the ‘incredible pressure’ on schools, MPs tell ministers
Attendance crisis: MPs call for ‘major’ mental health plan

Tuesday

26th Sep 2023

Wealthier pupils saw ‘steepest fall’ in mental health
Findings show more mental health support is needed for pupils ‘across the social spectrum’, says teaching union boss
Wealthier pupils saw ‘steepest fall’ in mental health

Monday

25th Sep 2023

National homework task to be set for World Mental Health Day
The Chartered College of Teaching has joined ITV and mental health charities to launch a homework task aimed at getting pupils talking to their families about their feelings, reveals Dame Alison Peacock
world mental health day teenagers

Thursday

21st Sep 2023

Families find school attendance rules ‘draconian’
Findings from a major new report into the root causes of the crisis in attendance in England’s schools
Families find school attendance rules ‘increasingly draconian’

Wednesday

20th Sep 2023

MPs quiz Keegan over county lines teacher training
The education committee heard earlier this year there was limited coordination between schools, local services and authorities on criminal child exploitation
Keegan quizzed by MPs over county lines

Sunday

17th Sep 2023

Safeguarding: a DSL’s survival guide
Safeguarding and pastoral teams will be under huge pressure this term, says safeguarding lead Thomas Michael, who offers advice on keeping your head above water
Leading safeguarding

Wednesday

13th Sep 2023

Teachers ‘at risk of quitting’ after moving school
Moving to a new school can lead to ‘low points’ for teachers when they think about getting out of the profession, new research shows
Quitting profession
10 questions with...Nigel Genders
The chief education officer of the Church of England recalls his school days, explains why seeing the impact of teachers in schools led him into education and offers alternatives to one-word Ofsted judgements
10 questions with...Nigel Genders

Monday

11th Sep 2023

MPs probe schools’ approach to screen time
The education committee launches an inquiry to find out how screen time affects pupils’ education and wellbeing
MPs probe schools’ approach to screen time

Thursday

7th Sep 2023

Weekly round-up: Next Ofsted chief’s vision and concrete chaos
This week’s essential education news includes insight into Sir Martyn Oliver’s plans as head of Ofsted and all the latest on the closure of school buildings because of the concrete risk
Weekly round-up: The concrete crisis and Ofsted under pressure

Wednesday

6th Sep 2023

Free primary school meals for all may not happen before election
Pupils in the final two years of primary in Scotland will have to wait until at least 2026 for universal free school meals, despite an initial target date of August 2022
Free primary school meals for all may not happen before 2026 election

Tuesday

5th Sep 2023

Why we give primary lessons a careers focus
How this school set about ensuring its youngest learners retained their career aspirations – with help from a firefighter, an environmental scientist and a structural engineer
Why we give primary lessons a careers focus