Kat Stern
@katstern4.bsky.social
Behaviour consultant in secondary educational settings, author of #TheExcludables, teacher, sports coach, www.katstern.com.
Are the stakeholders in this the schools? Seems a bit unclear…
📊 Changes rolled out across 32 local authorities as part of a Tory-era SEND pilot have cut exclusions and kept more children in mainstream education, a report has found
Piloted in-school SEND support 'cut exclusions' - report
Standardised EHCPs also welcomed by parents and councils, researchers find
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Are the stakeholders in this the schools? Seems a bit unclear…
Reposted by Kat Stern
Also, in a one-form primary school (or smaller), who do they think is facilitating this and where is it happening? Most primaries do not have staff available to support this nor do they have spaces for it to happen. Every adult and every space is being used, every minute of the day.
6. Here we seem to be dreaming up from first principles the work skilled pastoral staff are doing every day already. This feels a bit insulting to them to say we're going to start doing this.
January 31, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Also, in a one-form primary school (or smaller), who do they think is facilitating this and where is it happening? Most primaries do not have staff available to support this nor do they have spaces for it to happen. Every adult and every space is being used, every minute of the day.
This is a bizarre announcement.
Schools already use internal exclusion for less serious issues than those causing suspension.
And prolonged/repeated periods of internal exclusion come with their own problems, as is well documented.
Schools already use internal exclusion for less serious issues than those causing suspension.
And prolonged/repeated periods of internal exclusion come with their own problems, as is well documented.
Ministers have said schools should only suspend pupils in the most serious cases of poor behaviour and violence, as the Department for Education looks to publish guidance for schools on the use of internal suspensions
schoolsweek.co.uk/only-suspend...
schoolsweek.co.uk/only-suspend...
Only suspend pupils for most serious behaviour, says DfE
New suspensions guidance coming with white paper, but headteachers to retain autonomy
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:50 AM
This is a bizarre announcement.
Schools already use internal exclusion for less serious issues than those causing suspension.
And prolonged/repeated periods of internal exclusion come with their own problems, as is well documented.
Schools already use internal exclusion for less serious issues than those causing suspension.
And prolonged/repeated periods of internal exclusion come with their own problems, as is well documented.
Reposted by Kat Stern
Exclusive: Secondary schools that use internal exclusion are isolating almost a fifth of their pupils from their classmates at least once each year, new data shows
schoolsweek.co.uk/internal-exc...
schoolsweek.co.uk/internal-exc...
Internal exclusion: Reset or rejection? We investigate
Secondary schools that use internal exclusion are isolating almost a fifth of their pupils from their classmates at least once each year, new data shows
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Exclusive: Secondary schools that use internal exclusion are isolating almost a fifth of their pupils from their classmates at least once each year, new data shows
schoolsweek.co.uk/internal-exc...
schoolsweek.co.uk/internal-exc...
Reposted by Kat Stern
The Mayor of London’s universal primary free school meals scheme did not improve pupil attainment in its first year, but made a positive difference to family finances and stress levels, an impact report has found
schoolsweek.co.uk/londons-univ...
schoolsweek.co.uk/londons-univ...
London free school meals expansion hasn't boosted attainment
But researchers warn short-term effects 'difficult to detect' as families report positive impacts
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The Mayor of London’s universal primary free school meals scheme did not improve pupil attainment in its first year, but made a positive difference to family finances and stress levels, an impact report has found
schoolsweek.co.uk/londons-univ...
schoolsweek.co.uk/londons-univ...
There was an opportunity here but this looks so limited and easy to circumnavigate that I wonder what use it will be…? 🍎
Exclusive: Schools will face a legal duty to record their use of non-disciplinary isolation and report it to parents under plans being developed by the government
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 6:54 AM
There was an opportunity here but this looks so limited and easy to circumnavigate that I wonder what use it will be…? 🍎
Reposted by Kat Stern
Exclusive: Schools will face a legal duty to record their use of non-disciplinary isolation and report it to parents under plans being developed by the government
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Exclusive: Schools will face a legal duty to record their use of non-disciplinary isolation and report it to parents under plans being developed by the government
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-f...
Reposted by Kat Stern
The way SEND registers are used to identify and support students with additional needs is a “mystery” that needs clarifying before schools can be judged on inclusion, experts are warning. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
SEND register decisions are a ‘mystery’, warn experts
Lack of guidance on using the SEND register leaves schools under- and over-recording pupils as needing support for special educational needs and disabilities, say leaders
www.tes.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 AM
The way SEND registers are used to identify and support students with additional needs is a “mystery” that needs clarifying before schools can be judged on inclusion, experts are warning. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
This is REALLY important because it is an area which has been hidden from view for so long.
One child in a previous school had spent 45 days in isolation room (with others for US folk). Another had spent half a term in there and he was in year 7. 🍎 #EduSky
One child in a previous school had spent 45 days in isolation room (with others for US folk). Another had spent half a term in there and he was in year 7. 🍎 #EduSky
One in 12 secondary pupils put in isolation rooms at least once a week, study finds
One in 12 secondary pupils put in isolation rooms at least once a week, study finds
Children with special educational needs more than twice as likely to be put in isolation, say Manchester researchers
*
‘Publicly humiliated’: parents describe difficulty of children’s isolation at school
One in 12 secondary pupils report being put into school isolation rooms at least once a week where they often spend in excess of eight hours, missing more than a full day of lessons, according to research.
Children with special educational needs were more than twice as likely to be placed in isolation, otherwise known as internal exclusion, while students from low-income backgrounds were also disproportionately affected. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:01 AM
This is REALLY important because it is an area which has been hidden from view for so long.
One child in a previous school had spent 45 days in isolation room (with others for US folk). Another had spent half a term in there and he was in year 7. 🍎 #EduSky
One child in a previous school had spent 45 days in isolation room (with others for US folk). Another had spent half a term in there and he was in year 7. 🍎 #EduSky
Reposted by Kat Stern
Found in the MFL staff room… 🤣
September 22, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Found in the MFL staff room… 🤣
Reposted by Kat Stern
In early Covid, I tried to keep my cats out of the room while teaching because it felt more professional. I forgot to close my office door one class, and ended up teaching with a cat on my lap poking his head up on camera. I apologized to the class.
The chat was filled with cat pic requests.
The chat was filled with cat pic requests.
Don't apologise for your dog showing up during the Zoom, apologise for hiding him all this time
September 20, 2025 at 12:01 AM
In early Covid, I tried to keep my cats out of the room while teaching because it felt more professional. I forgot to close my office door one class, and ended up teaching with a cat on my lap poking his head up on camera. I apologized to the class.
The chat was filled with cat pic requests.
The chat was filled with cat pic requests.
Reposted by Kat Stern
End of Wk 2. Takeaway. If you're a teacher and you're cooking tonight- hats off to you.
September 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
End of Wk 2. Takeaway. If you're a teacher and you're cooking tonight- hats off to you.
@teachertapp.bsky.social Has there ever been a question about how many different passwords teachers are required to use for work platforms?
I’m on at least 6…
I’m on at least 6…
August 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
@teachertapp.bsky.social Has there ever been a question about how many different passwords teachers are required to use for work platforms?
I’m on at least 6…
I’m on at least 6…
Reposted by Kat Stern
What we're dealing with is the results of collapsing Sure Start, punishing local austerity, an exodus from mainstream schools with no adequate funding of specialist settings, a mental health crisis that ballooned on their watch , and more. Not 'overdiagnosis'. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Young people being ‘overdiagnosed’ with mental ill health – Hunt
The former health secretary argued that society has ‘lost sight of the fundamental reality that child development is a messy and uneven process’.
www.independent.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 8:52 AM
What we're dealing with is the results of collapsing Sure Start, punishing local austerity, an exodus from mainstream schools with no adequate funding of specialist settings, a mental health crisis that ballooned on their watch , and more. Not 'overdiagnosis'. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Wildlife spot of the summer…
August 27, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Wildlife spot of the summer…
A shout out to Kobi Nazrul primary school, where I delivered sessions this year - beautifully behaved kids, helpful staff, AND all bilingual.
#EduSky
#EduSky
a little boy wearing a hat that says respect on it
ALT: a little boy wearing a hat that says respect on it
media.tenor.com
August 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
A shout out to Kobi Nazrul primary school, where I delivered sessions this year - beautifully behaved kids, helpful staff, AND all bilingual.
#EduSky
#EduSky
Reposted by Kat Stern
Exclusive: Young offenders will be pulled out of England’s first secure school amid concerns 'vulnerable' doors that 'can’t withstand somebody trying to barge their way through' won’t be replaced for months
schoolsweek.co.uk/young-offend...
schoolsweek.co.uk/young-offend...
Young offenders to be moved from Kent site amid safety fears
Children will be removed from the country's first secure school until an issue over safe doors is resolved
schoolsweek.co.uk
August 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Exclusive: Young offenders will be pulled out of England’s first secure school amid concerns 'vulnerable' doors that 'can’t withstand somebody trying to barge their way through' won’t be replaced for months
schoolsweek.co.uk/young-offend...
schoolsweek.co.uk/young-offend...
Not usually my thing, but this was actually pretty interesting! 🍎
Schools and students are preparing to receive A-level results this Thursday, but how does an exam paper actually turn into a grade?
Schools Week explains all ...
schoolsweek.co.uk?p=233259
Schools Week explains all ...
schoolsweek.co.uk?p=233259
August 12, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Not usually my thing, but this was actually pretty interesting! 🍎
Humble 🍎
📈 'From 45 years of active political engagement, I have come to believe that ideology is at the root of most problems in public service delivery'
Sir Nick Gibb marks the launch of his book with an exclusive oped for Schools Week
schoolsweek.co.uk/ten-lessons-...
Sir Nick Gibb marks the launch of his book with an exclusive oped for Schools Week
schoolsweek.co.uk/ten-lessons-...
August 11, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Humble 🍎
Old article, but how many of us would predict we would be happier if we struck up conversations with strangers on our tube commute?
Even if we are introverts? 😶🍎
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-4...
Even if we are introverts? 😶🍎
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-4...
The surprising benefits of talking to strangers
We consistently underestimate the benefits of interacting with strangers, research suggests.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 9, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Old article, but how many of us would predict we would be happier if we struck up conversations with strangers on our tube commute?
Even if we are introverts? 😶🍎
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-4...
Even if we are introverts? 😶🍎
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-4...
Reposted by Kat Stern
Currently testing a new feature on @teachertapp.bsky.social that will let you see how results change for teachers ‘like you’ vs whole population.
Here’s how yesterday’s results look different for everyone vs secondary SLT (my testing persona!)
Sound useful?
Here’s how yesterday’s results look different for everyone vs secondary SLT (my testing persona!)
Sound useful?
August 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Currently testing a new feature on @teachertapp.bsky.social that will let you see how results change for teachers ‘like you’ vs whole population.
Here’s how yesterday’s results look different for everyone vs secondary SLT (my testing persona!)
Sound useful?
Here’s how yesterday’s results look different for everyone vs secondary SLT (my testing persona!)
Sound useful?
Reposted by Kat Stern
“developing their self-management, social and academic skills, in combination and in close parallel, through applying a ‘rigorous’ and highly detailed conduct and discipline policy”.
Fascinating case. 83 days in isolation within one year is a failure - I don’t know any school who can argue otherwise. What this judgement demonstrates is that is not against the guidance, or illegal.
Obvs that’s not the bar we should be aiming for. Needs changing @departmentforedu.bsky.social 🍎
Obvs that’s not the bar we should be aiming for. Needs changing @departmentforedu.bsky.social 🍎
❌ Pupils who spent up to half a year in 'unpleasant and distressing' isolation rooms have lost a High Court battle against their school’s 'rigorous' behaviour policy
buff.ly/OKLZ1Nj
buff.ly/OKLZ1Nj
July 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
“developing their self-management, social and academic skills, in combination and in close parallel, through applying a ‘rigorous’ and highly detailed conduct and discipline policy”.
Reposted by Kat Stern
How can we talk meaningfully about inclusion when the law says it’s ok to do this?
July 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
How can we talk meaningfully about inclusion when the law says it’s ok to do this?
Fascinating case. 83 days in isolation within one year is a failure - I don’t know any school who can argue otherwise. What this judgement demonstrates is that is not against the guidance, or illegal.
Obvs that’s not the bar we should be aiming for. Needs changing @departmentforedu.bsky.social 🍎
Obvs that’s not the bar we should be aiming for. Needs changing @departmentforedu.bsky.social 🍎
❌ Pupils who spent up to half a year in 'unpleasant and distressing' isolation rooms have lost a High Court battle against their school’s 'rigorous' behaviour policy
buff.ly/OKLZ1Nj
buff.ly/OKLZ1Nj
Pupils lose court fight over 'distressing' isolation policy
School had not 'crossed the boundaries of what the law or good practice permits', judge says
buff.ly
July 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Fascinating case. 83 days in isolation within one year is a failure - I don’t know any school who can argue otherwise. What this judgement demonstrates is that is not against the guidance, or illegal.
Obvs that’s not the bar we should be aiming for. Needs changing @departmentforedu.bsky.social 🍎
Obvs that’s not the bar we should be aiming for. Needs changing @departmentforedu.bsky.social 🍎