Cerys Turner
@cerysturner.bsky.social
News reporter at Tes
Covering Ofsted, curriculum, teacher training & AI
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
Covering Ofsted, curriculum, teacher training & AI
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Hows this work for disabled and neurodivergent teachers?
Backwards this is. Thread 🧵
I have had several inspections over my career and each one was terrifying. I wasn't publicly autistic back then, most teachers aren't.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Backwards this is. Thread 🧵
I have had several inspections over my career and each one was terrifying. I wasn't publicly autistic back then, most teachers aren't.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Ofsted judging teachers? Here we go again...
The news that Ofsted is proposing inspecting teaching as a standalone category is unwelcome in the sector, and for very good reason, argues Zoe Enser
www.tes.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Hows this work for disabled and neurodivergent teachers?
Backwards this is. Thread 🧵
I have had several inspections over my career and each one was terrifying. I wasn't publicly autistic back then, most teachers aren't.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Backwards this is. Thread 🧵
I have had several inspections over my career and each one was terrifying. I wasn't publicly autistic back then, most teachers aren't.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Some food for thought…
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Some food for thought…
Special schools largely went unmentioned in the govt’s curriculum reforms - despite the huge pressures facing the SEND system and the wealth of knowledge shared by those teaching SEND pupils.
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Special schools fear being an ‘afterthought’ on curriculum
In response to the curriculum review, leaders in the specialist sector urge the DfE to focus more on what is taught in special schools and how best practice can be shared
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Special schools largely went unmentioned in the govt’s curriculum reforms - despite the huge pressures facing the SEND system and the wealth of knowledge shared by those teaching SEND pupils.
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Teachers receive 22 fewer weeks of full maternity pay than many other public sectors - including DfE officials.
It's a major factor cited by woman in their thirties, who are leaving the sector in droves, and is hugely in tension with the govt's retention ambitions.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
It's a major factor cited by woman in their thirties, who are leaving the sector in droves, and is hugely in tension with the govt's retention ambitions.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Why do teachers get such a bad deal on maternity pay?
With women making up the vast majority of the workforce, could better maternity leave pay help tackle the teacher retention crisis?
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Teachers receive 22 fewer weeks of full maternity pay than many other public sectors - including DfE officials.
It's a major factor cited by woman in their thirties, who are leaving the sector in droves, and is hugely in tension with the govt's retention ambitions.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
It's a major factor cited by woman in their thirties, who are leaving the sector in droves, and is hugely in tension with the govt's retention ambitions.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
School funding will actually fall by up to 4%, meaning minimum per-pupil funding will not keep up with schools’ rising costs in the next year.
Experts warn that schools are quickly running out of areas to find savings:
Experts warn that schools are quickly running out of areas to find savings:
School funding to fall by up to 4% in real terms, expert warns
Government’s headline rise to minimum per-pupil funding largely reflects grants being rolled into the NFF, leaving schools facing real-terms cuts, says Simon Oxenham
www.tes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM
School funding will actually fall by up to 4%, meaning minimum per-pupil funding will not keep up with schools’ rising costs in the next year.
Experts warn that schools are quickly running out of areas to find savings:
Experts warn that schools are quickly running out of areas to find savings:
Sir Martyn Oliver is keen to look at how Ofsted can give schools more clarity on when they will next be inspected.
This would be very welcome to school leaders, who are often left waiting anxiously in the inspection window for months or even years.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
This would be very welcome to school leaders, who are often left waiting anxiously in the inspection window for months or even years.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted school inspection window ‘could be tightened’
Teacher and leader wellbeing ‘built into every aspect’ of new approach, says chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver
www.tes.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Sir Martyn Oliver is keen to look at how Ofsted can give schools more clarity on when they will next be inspected.
This would be very welcome to school leaders, who are often left waiting anxiously in the inspection window for months or even years.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
This would be very welcome to school leaders, who are often left waiting anxiously in the inspection window for months or even years.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
I love that the @tesmagazine.bsky.social has more and more interviews with amazing scientists, explaining learning from the position of someone who spends their days immersed in it.
This is the true “science of learning”
bsky.app/profile/jons...
This is the true “science of learning”
bsky.app/profile/jons...
"If you get into a certain habit, you have expectations in relation to that habit, but that doesn’t mean your real ability has changed"
Fascinating piece on the 'attention' crisis among pupils
👉Are pupil attention spans really decreasing?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Fascinating piece on the 'attention' crisis among pupils
👉Are pupil attention spans really decreasing?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Are pupil attention spans really decreasing?
Professor Nilli Lavie speaks to Tes about the science of attention, why teachers are reporting shorter attention spans and what that means for classroom learning
www.tes.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I love that the @tesmagazine.bsky.social has more and more interviews with amazing scientists, explaining learning from the position of someone who spends their days immersed in it.
This is the true “science of learning”
bsky.app/profile/jons...
This is the true “science of learning”
bsky.app/profile/jons...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Reform deputy leader Richard Tice claims there is a 'crisis of over-diagnosis' of neurodiverse conditions, while ex-Ofsted chief Baroness Spielman says dyslexia just means 'bad at reading'
Reform deputy says pupils wearing ear defenders in class is ‘insane’
Reform’s deputy leader claims there is ‘over-diagnosis’ of neurodiverse conditions, appearing at an event where a former Ofsted chief says dyslexia just means ‘bad at reading’
www.tes.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Reform deputy leader Richard Tice claims there is a 'crisis of over-diagnosis' of neurodiverse conditions, while ex-Ofsted chief Baroness Spielman says dyslexia just means 'bad at reading'
💷 In 2021-22, the DfE spent £13k on social media influencer marketing - so far this financial year, it’s spent a whopping £204k+.
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
15-fold increase in DfE influencer spend since 2022
Exclusive data obtained by Tes shows the Department for Education spent more than £200,000 on influencer marketing from April to October this year
www.tes.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
💷 In 2021-22, the DfE spent £13k on social media influencer marketing - so far this financial year, it’s spent a whopping £204k+.
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Haha I spotted my error! Feel free too :)
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Haha I spotted my error! Feel free too :)
The DfE expects schools to meet enrichment benchmarks next yr, with no additional funding.
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Extra enrichment isn’t possible, teachers warn
The DfE is introducing enrichment benchmarks to push schools to deliver more extracurricular clubs - but research shows that teachers are already working unpaid and out of hours to deliver such activi...
www.tes.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The DfE expects schools to meet enrichment benchmarks next yr, with no additional funding.
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
DfE sets schools AI-powered attendance targets
Headteachers’ leaders dismiss new attendance baseline improvement targets as a Whitehall diktat
www.tes.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
DfE sets schools AI-powered attendance targets
Headteachers’ leaders dismiss new attendance baseline improvement targets as a Whitehall diktat
www.tes.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
It’s the first day of (volunteer) Ofsted inspections today, but leaders have been told about changes to how the watchdog uses performance data just days before.
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
‘Major concerns’ over Ofsted data changes
Schools that volunteered to be first for new inspections should be allowed to withdraw because of changes announced by Ofsted just days before the new system begins, say heads’ leaders
www.tes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:58 AM
It’s the first day of (volunteer) Ofsted inspections today, but leaders have been told about changes to how the watchdog uses performance data just days before.
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Excl: Diversity and anti-racism should be embedded into teacher training, according to an open letter from ITT providers.
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Embed diversity and antiracism into teacher training, DfE told
Teacher training providers also call on government to set up a national body for early career and trainee teachers
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Excl: Diversity and anti-racism should be embedded into teacher training, according to an open letter from ITT providers.
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The new GCSE in AI could quickly become out of date, the chief of England’s largest exam board has warned.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
AI qualification at risk of rapid obsolescence, warns exam chief
In an exclusive interview, AQA chief Colin Hughes warns that an AI qualification stemming from this week’s curriculum and assessment review may not have a long-term future
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The new GCSE in AI could quickly become out of date, the chief of England’s largest exam board has warned.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Plus more on the role that @oaknational.bsky.social is expected to play.
The DfE has rejected some of the curriculum and assessment review recommendations – @cerysturner.bsky.social looks at what has been dismissed or only partially accepted
Francis review: the recommendations rejected by government
The DfE wants full rather than phased implementation of curriculum reform - from 2028 - and puts the brakes on inclusion of RE in the national curriculum
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Plus more on the role that @oaknational.bsky.social is expected to play.
One of the most significant changes from the govt’s curriculum reforms this week - and interestingly, one where they diverged from the Francis’ review recommendations.
As part of its response to the curriculum review, the government has outlined its intention to overhaul Progress 8. How is it proposing the performance measure should change?
@tesmagazine.bsky.social explains:
@tesmagazine.bsky.social explains:
Progress 8 reform: what are the government’s plans?
As part of its response to the curriculum review, the government has outlined its intention to overhaul the performance measure. Tes has all you need to know
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 AM
One of the most significant changes from the govt’s curriculum reforms this week - and interestingly, one where they diverged from the Francis’ review recommendations.
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Really interesting recommendations from the curriculum and assessment review in England - @cerysturner.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Really interesting recommendations from the curriculum and assessment review in England - @cerysturner.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The much anticipated curriculum and assessment review is out. The EBacc is to be scrapped, and it calls for a new year 8 English test and an entitlement to triple science for all. Great piece rounding it all up here by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The much anticipated curriculum and assessment review is out. The EBacc is to be scrapped, and it calls for a new year 8 English test and an entitlement to triple science for all. Great piece rounding it all up here by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Prof Francis tells @Helen-Amass.bsky.social that the curric review & DfE's policy clash is a "slightly confusing coincidence".
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Becky Francis: How we reached our curriculum recommendations
In an exclusive interview, curriculum and assessment review lead Becky Francis speaks to Tes about its recommendations and the evidence underpinning them
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Prof Francis tells @Helen-Amass.bsky.social that the curric review & DfE's policy clash is a "slightly confusing coincidence".
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far: