Cerys Turner
@cerysturner.bsky.social
News reporter at Tes. Covering Ofsted, curriculum, teacher training, AI and more.
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
NEW: @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social says he has concerns about Ofsted’s decision to inspect the school & calls the attention “entirely unwarranted”.
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
‘No evidence’ of political bias at Bristol school, Ofsted says
Bristol Brunel Academy was inspected after the postponement of a visit by a Jewish MP raised concerns about political pressure
www.tes.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
NEW: @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social says he has concerns about Ofsted’s decision to inspect the school & calls the attention “entirely unwarranted”.
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
+ "There was never a need for Sir Martyn Oliver to call for an Ofsted inspection"
+ Staff received "unfair accusations”
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
This raises HUGE questions for the DfE and Ofsted.
🚨NEW: Ofsted finds "no evidence" to back concerns of political bias at a Bristol school that postponed a visit from a Jewish MP.
There were concerns that Bristol Brunel Academy postponed the visit by Labour MP Damien Egan after political pressure:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There were concerns that Bristol Brunel Academy postponed the visit by Labour MP Damien Egan after political pressure:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted inspects school that postponed Jewish MP visit
Labour MP Damien Egan’s planned visit at Bristol Brunel Academy had sparked plans for a demonstration by pro-Palestinian activists
www.tes.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:06 PM
This raises HUGE questions for the DfE and Ofsted.
🚨NEW: Ofsted finds "no evidence" to back concerns of political bias at a Bristol school that postponed a visit from a Jewish MP.
There were concerns that Bristol Brunel Academy postponed the visit by Labour MP Damien Egan after political pressure:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There were concerns that Bristol Brunel Academy postponed the visit by Labour MP Damien Egan after political pressure:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted inspects school that postponed Jewish MP visit
Labour MP Damien Egan’s planned visit at Bristol Brunel Academy had sparked plans for a demonstration by pro-Palestinian activists
www.tes.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:03 PM
🚨NEW: Ofsted finds "no evidence" to back concerns of political bias at a Bristol school that postponed a visit from a Jewish MP.
There were concerns that Bristol Brunel Academy postponed the visit by Labour MP Damien Egan after political pressure:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There were concerns that Bristol Brunel Academy postponed the visit by Labour MP Damien Egan after political pressure:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
WhatsApp was not included in the Australian social media ban for U16s, yet it is driving more pastoral incidents in schools than other social media.
Excellent exclusive from @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Excellent exclusive from @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
1 in 3 teachers reports WhatsApp pastoral incidents
Exclusive polling revealing the impact of social media in schools comes as the government is considering a ban for under-16s
www.tes.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
WhatsApp was not included in the Australian social media ban for U16s, yet it is driving more pastoral incidents in schools than other social media.
Excellent exclusive from @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Excellent exclusive from @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Confirmation today of a @tesmagazine.bsky.social scoop from last term:
NEW: The govt will test an AI tutoring programme specifically to support disadvantaged students.
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
January 27, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Confirmation today of a @tesmagazine.bsky.social scoop from last term:
Reposted by Cerys Turner
NEW: The govt will test an AI tutoring programme specifically to support disadvantaged students.
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
January 26, 2026 at 10:45 PM
NEW: The govt will test an AI tutoring programme specifically to support disadvantaged students.
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
NEW: The govt will test an AI tutoring programme specifically to support disadvantaged students.
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
January 26, 2026 at 10:45 PM
NEW: The govt will test an AI tutoring programme specifically to support disadvantaged students.
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Tes first reported back in October that the govt was exploring AI tutoring ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Schools risk being marked down by Ofsted if they don't comply with the govt's latest phone restrictions.
Not following the non-statutory guidance suggests schools may not be taking "effective action to secure pupils’ positive behaviour and wellbeing", Ofsted said.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Not following the non-statutory guidance suggests schools may not be taking "effective action to secure pupils’ positive behaviour and wellbeing", Ofsted said.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted: Schools risk missing ‘expected standard’ over phone use
If a school fails to follow the government’s new guidance on mobile phones, it could fall short of inspectors’ requirements for attendance and behaviour, warns watchdog
www.tes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Schools risk being marked down by Ofsted if they don't comply with the govt's latest phone restrictions.
Not following the non-statutory guidance suggests schools may not be taking "effective action to secure pupils’ positive behaviour and wellbeing", Ofsted said.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Not following the non-statutory guidance suggests schools may not be taking "effective action to secure pupils’ positive behaviour and wellbeing", Ofsted said.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Has a world without P8 been as damaging as many believed it would be for those schools in disadvantaged areas?
@ktorm-social1.bsky.social has looked at the data, talked to the sector and looked at the fallout, particularly with Ofsted - and the picture is mixed.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@ktorm-social1.bsky.social has looked at the data, talked to the sector and looked at the fallout, particularly with Ofsted - and the picture is mixed.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Are schools being judged unfairly without Progress 8?
We’re now experiencing two years without the Progress 8 performance measure as a result of the cancellation of Sats during the pandemic. So, have the past warnings about a negative impact on schools c...
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Has a world without P8 been as damaging as many believed it would be for those schools in disadvantaged areas?
@ktorm-social1.bsky.social has looked at the data, talked to the sector and looked at the fallout, particularly with Ofsted - and the picture is mixed.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@ktorm-social1.bsky.social has looked at the data, talked to the sector and looked at the fallout, particularly with Ofsted - and the picture is mixed.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Thank you @tesmagazine.bsky.social for your support.
Our 5th Annual Headteacher Wellbeing Report is an important read.
Published on our website next week.
Our 5th Annual Headteacher Wellbeing Report is an important read.
Published on our website next week.
Excl: A headteacher support service has warned leaders are seeking medical treatment over "unethical" treatment by trusts and councils.
While most trusts & LAs act with integrity, @headrestuk.bsky.social says these "disturbing" cases are now “increasingly recurring".
While most trusts & LAs act with integrity, @headrestuk.bsky.social says these "disturbing" cases are now “increasingly recurring".
Leaders suffer ‘disturbing’ mistreatment, support service warns
School leaders are being set ‘undeliverable’ expectations, says Headrest, as it fields a big increase in calls
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Thank you @tesmagazine.bsky.social for your support.
Our 5th Annual Headteacher Wellbeing Report is an important read.
Published on our website next week.
Our 5th Annual Headteacher Wellbeing Report is an important read.
Published on our website next week.
Reposted by Cerys Turner
School leaders are having to seek medical support as a result of “undeliverable” expectations and work demands set by multi-academy trusts and local authorities, a headteacher support service has warned. Another great exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Leaders suffer ‘disturbing’ mistreatment, support service warns
School leaders are being set ‘undeliverable’ expectations, says Headrest, as it fields a big increase in calls
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:30 AM
School leaders are having to seek medical support as a result of “undeliverable” expectations and work demands set by multi-academy trusts and local authorities, a headteacher support service has warned. Another great exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Most teachers support a social media ban for under-16s.
But what problems do they think this would help solve, could there be unintended consequences for schools - and is social media the issue, or phones in general? @cerysturner.bsky.social finds out:
But what problems do they think this would help solve, could there be unintended consequences for schools - and is social media the issue, or phones in general? @cerysturner.bsky.social finds out:
Would an under-16s social media ban help schools?
The government is considering restricting or banning children’s use of social media. How might this impact schools?
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Most teachers support a social media ban for under-16s.
But what problems do they think this would help solve, could there be unintended consequences for schools - and is social media the issue, or phones in general? @cerysturner.bsky.social finds out:
But what problems do they think this would help solve, could there be unintended consequences for schools - and is social media the issue, or phones in general? @cerysturner.bsky.social finds out:
Reposted by Cerys Turner
“Because explicit images are so common now, I think the police view is, ‘Well, that’s another one’”
How would a social media ban for U16s impact schools? Plenty support it, but some worry about negative impacts.
Excellent @cerysturner.bsky.social article below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
How would a social media ban for U16s impact schools? Plenty support it, but some worry about negative impacts.
Excellent @cerysturner.bsky.social article below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Would an under-16s social media ban help schools?
The government is considering restricting or banning children’s use of social media. How might this impact schools?
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:28 AM
“Because explicit images are so common now, I think the police view is, ‘Well, that’s another one’”
How would a social media ban for U16s impact schools? Plenty support it, but some worry about negative impacts.
Excellent @cerysturner.bsky.social article below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
How would a social media ban for U16s impact schools? Plenty support it, but some worry about negative impacts.
Excellent @cerysturner.bsky.social article below
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Excl: A headteacher support service has warned leaders are seeking medical treatment over "unethical" treatment by trusts and councils.
While most trusts & LAs act with integrity, @headrestuk.bsky.social says these "disturbing" cases are now “increasingly recurring".
While most trusts & LAs act with integrity, @headrestuk.bsky.social says these "disturbing" cases are now “increasingly recurring".
Leaders suffer ‘disturbing’ mistreatment, support service warns
School leaders are being set ‘undeliverable’ expectations, says Headrest, as it fields a big increase in calls
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Excl: A headteacher support service has warned leaders are seeking medical treatment over "unethical" treatment by trusts and councils.
While most trusts & LAs act with integrity, @headrestuk.bsky.social says these "disturbing" cases are now “increasingly recurring".
While most trusts & LAs act with integrity, @headrestuk.bsky.social says these "disturbing" cases are now “increasingly recurring".
It’s been a busy week for the under‑16s social media debate, with a govt consultation & a Lords vote.
Teachers are one of the best gauges of how students are faring online. They tell me how the darker sides of social media can often spill inside the school gates.
Teachers are one of the best gauges of how students are faring online. They tell me how the darker sides of social media can often spill inside the school gates.
Would an under-16s social media ban help schools?
The government is considering restricting or banning children’s use of social media. How might this impact schools?
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:00 AM
It’s been a busy week for the under‑16s social media debate, with a govt consultation & a Lords vote.
Teachers are one of the best gauges of how students are faring online. They tell me how the darker sides of social media can often spill inside the school gates.
Teachers are one of the best gauges of how students are faring online. They tell me how the darker sides of social media can often spill inside the school gates.
“Mobile phones have no place in our schools” but AI learning tools are “different”, the education secretary tells BETT London.
Phillipson also committed an extra £23m for new edtech tools.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Phillipson also committed an extra £23m for new edtech tools.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Phillipson announces £23m for new edtech tools
The government will also launch skills pathways for teachers and support staff to help them develop digital, data and tech skills, education secretary says
www.tes.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:31 AM
“Mobile phones have no place in our schools” but AI learning tools are “different”, the education secretary tells BETT London.
Phillipson also committed an extra £23m for new edtech tools.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Phillipson also committed an extra £23m for new edtech tools.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
‘We have now reached crunch time’ on SEND reform, with SEND spending set to more than double between 2015 and 2028, @theifs.bsky.social report warns
It’s ‘crunch time’ on SEND reform, warns IFS
With SEND spending set to more than double, the government must try to deliver a sustainable system without squeezing mainstream schools’ funding, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies
www.tes.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:05 AM
‘We have now reached crunch time’ on SEND reform, with SEND spending set to more than double between 2015 and 2028, @theifs.bsky.social report warns
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Trinity chief executive Michael Gosling said the trust had “worked too hard to create a collaborative, healthy culture” and that “allowing a toxic culture to infect that simply drags all down to a lower level”. Ouch.
MAT merger plan called off after 'aggressive' opposition
Pennine Alliance Learning Trust and Trinity Multi-Academy Trust had been exploring a possible merger, but the process has now ended with one chair stepping down
www.tes.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Trinity chief executive Michael Gosling said the trust had “worked too hard to create a collaborative, healthy culture” and that “allowing a toxic culture to infect that simply drags all down to a lower level”. Ouch.
The govt's mobile phones in school guidance remains *broadly* the same.
- 'Never seen' models are no longer an option
- More onus on filtering systems, perhaps pre-empting further social media regulations
- 'Never seen' models are no longer an option
- More onus on filtering systems, perhaps pre-empting further social media regulations
Breaking: "Tougher" mobile phone guidance for schools announced to ensure "phone-free environments", but critics say it just maintains "status quo".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Government launches ‘tougher’ guidance on phones in schools
Ofsted will check mobile phone policies in every inspection, with schools expected to be ‘phone-free by default’.
www.tes.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:18 AM
The govt's mobile phones in school guidance remains *broadly* the same.
- 'Never seen' models are no longer an option
- More onus on filtering systems, perhaps pre-empting further social media regulations
- 'Never seen' models are no longer an option
- More onus on filtering systems, perhaps pre-empting further social media regulations
New: Official guidance for schools has told them to “tune into feelings over facts” when handling parental complaints.
Parents have also been given their own version of the guidance, which is backed by govt and unions.
Parents have also been given their own version of the guidance, which is backed by govt and unions.
Schools told to ‘project positive emotions’ in parental complaints guidance
Parentkind has published government-approved guidance for parents and schools on how to resolve complaints
www.tes.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:00 AM
New: Official guidance for schools has told them to “tune into feelings over facts” when handling parental complaints.
Parents have also been given their own version of the guidance, which is backed by govt and unions.
Parents have also been given their own version of the guidance, which is backed by govt and unions.
📲 NEW: Schools are now expected to be fully phone-free, the govt has announced.
+ Pupils should not have access to phones during lessons, break times, or between lessons
+ Staff are also expected to not use their phones in front of pupils
+ Ofsted will check schools are following phone-ban
+ Pupils should not have access to phones during lessons, break times, or between lessons
+ Staff are also expected to not use their phones in front of pupils
+ Ofsted will check schools are following phone-ban
January 19, 2026 at 10:30 PM
📲 NEW: Schools are now expected to be fully phone-free, the govt has announced.
+ Pupils should not have access to phones during lessons, break times, or between lessons
+ Staff are also expected to not use their phones in front of pupils
+ Ofsted will check schools are following phone-ban
+ Pupils should not have access to phones during lessons, break times, or between lessons
+ Staff are also expected to not use their phones in front of pupils
+ Ofsted will check schools are following phone-ban
Reposted by Cerys Turner
One to watch on Wednesday:
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 PM
One to watch on Wednesday:
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
One to watch on Wednesday:
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 PM
One to watch on Wednesday:
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
The Lords will be voting on amendments in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - including this one about restricting social media access for under-16s 📲
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The government is setting a new expectation that all teachers and staff in schools should receive training on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion and will be spending £200m on new training courses. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE: All teachers will get SEND and inclusion training
DfE announces a new expectation on training teachers to support pupils with SEND, with £200m funding for new courses
www.tes.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:30 AM
The government is setting a new expectation that all teachers and staff in schools should receive training on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion and will be spending £200m on new training courses. www.tes.com/magazine/new...