General
Thursday
Key teacher training funding now conditional on SEND content
The intensive training and practice grant will only be given to training providers that tailor their content to supporting pupils with SEND and adaptive teaching
Social media bullying linked to school absence, study finds
Research by the NFER also reveals that parental fines for student absence are ‘counterproductive’
Tuesday
DfE property boss paid at least £405K in final year
Lara Newman received £140,000 in severance after LocatED was absorbed into DfE, according to the firm’s final accounts
Late DfE policy dump ‘shows scant regard’ for schools
Schools tell 91¶¶Òõ they have been left with little time to implement significant policy changes on safeguarding, enrichment and attendance after the DfE released substantial updates late in the summer term
Monday
Lucy Powell appointed as education secretary
She will replace Bridget Phillipson, who has been in the role since Labour came to power in July 2024
How will prime minister Andy Burnham ‘change’ education?
England’s new leader wants to reshape the education system: 91¶¶Òõ talks to experts about what this could mean for schools
MAT inspections ‘could put trusts off struggling schools’
With the government planning trust-level inspections, the National Governance Association warns against judging MATs by looking at the overall performance of their schools
Pay MAT trustees to boost scrutiny, says Lift chair
In a 91¶¶Òõ webinar exploring the role of chairs in academy trusts, the idea of paying trustees is proposed to improve accountability – but fears are raised over a new ‘drain’ on stretched budgets
Friday
Oak funding increases by more than £5m
DfE tasks the controversial quango with supporting the development of the revised national curriculum and AI tutors
Postcode lottery fears over SEND funding plan for schools
Trust leaders concerned over plans that could force schools to spend more on SEND support before applying for ‘top-up’ funds
