Tuesday
DfE highlights Taylor Swift gig in crackdown on ‘one-off’ absences
Government publishes the research behind its plans to curb one-day absences, alongside a new parental communications guide for schools to help keep messaging ‘useful’
Nearly three-quarters of nursery schools to cut costs amid pressures
Many maintained nursery schools are struggling to stay afloat, research shows – at a time when the government is talking up early years’ role in getting children school-ready
What not to say to students experiencing exam stress
The language adults use when talking about exams can inadvertently add to students’ stress, writes Katherine Radice, but reframing your approach can help lessen anxiety
Schools let pupils down by not taking service learning seriously
Service learning shouldn’t just be a one-off volunteering initiative – it needs to be embedded into the curriculum if we want to develop young people who can shape the world around them, writes leader Shahina Ahmad
Headteachers don’t just need support - they need a better system
From standards and outcomes to SEND, safeguarding, attendance and staff wellbeing, heads are under ever-increasing pressure, and they can’t handle it alone, says this leader
Schools lack scope to cut exam time as most pick shorter papers
Ofqual says schools can cut exam times by choosing different awarding bodies, but 91¶¶Òõ analysis reveals that, in most cases, this isn’t an option – and school leaders are now calling for the number of exams to be reduced instead
Sam Gibbs: ‘It is possible to be a good leader and a good parent’
In our How I Lead series, we ask education leaders to reflect on their careers, their experience and their leadership philosophy. This month we talk to Sam Gibbs, curriculum and development lead at Greater Manchester Education Trust
Let birthday pupils skip lunch queue to cut absence, schools told
Schools will be provided with new tools highlighting absence patterns over the year, and new communications guides to improve engagement with families
Monday
Inspired takes ‘significant step’ with Caribbean expansion
The group has acquired Island Primary and Island Montessori in Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands
Government to review screen time in schools
Consultation will result in guidance on children’s screen time in and out of school, and the government is also planning safety certification for AI products for schools
We need to look harder for our ‘invisible learners’
All teachers know the signs of children who are slowly disengaging in school, but what we’re not good at is stepping in to support them before they reach crisis point, says Gloria Dalafu
Parent complaints ‘contributing to school staff quitting’
Research comes amid a rise in the volume and complexity of complaints faced by schools, including an increase in AI-written grievances
