Schools Week
@schoolsweek.bsky.social
School leaders’ favourite newspaper. Multi-award winning journalism, determined to get past the bluster and explain the facts. Published by EducationScape
Extending free schools meals eligibility to all children from families receiving universal credit will leave schools tens of millions of pounds further out of pocket, analysis suggests
Schools face £47.5m free school meals expansion shortfall
Leaders say government's plan to increase funding by 5p per meal goes 'nowhere near far enough'
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Extending free schools meals eligibility to all children from families receiving universal credit will leave schools tens of millions of pounds further out of pocket, analysis suggests
💬 Almost half of school leaders needed mental health support in the past year, with nearly three quarters saying their job has affected their wellbeing, a new survey has found
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 3:03 PM
💬 Almost half of school leaders needed mental health support in the past year, with nearly three quarters saying their job has affected their wellbeing, a new survey has found
'Given the government’s manifesto commitment to introduce trust inspection, the question now is not whether trust inspection happens, but whether it is established in a way that truly strengthens the system'
schoolsweek.co.uk/four-key-iss...
schoolsweek.co.uk/four-key-iss...
Four key issues with MAT inspection for ministers to iron out
Getting the legislation right is such an important first test
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 2:10 PM
'Given the government’s manifesto commitment to introduce trust inspection, the question now is not whether trust inspection happens, but whether it is established in a way that truly strengthens the system'
schoolsweek.co.uk/four-key-iss...
schoolsweek.co.uk/four-key-iss...
'What is needed now is coordinated action. If we commit to openness and collaboration, we can build ethical, secure and low-cost approaches to AI without deepening fragmentation or dependence on closed off commercial systems'
schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-achie...
schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-achie...
How to achieve a data-driven school system
When schools choose openness they multiply, not divide, their capacity to innovate
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 1:40 PM
'What is needed now is coordinated action. If we commit to openness and collaboration, we can build ethical, secure and low-cost approaches to AI without deepening fragmentation or dependence on closed off commercial systems'
schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-achie...
schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-achie...
Exclusive: Extending free schools meals eligibility to all children from families receiving universal credit will leave schools tens of millions of pounds further out of pocket, analysis suggests.
Schools face £47.5m free school meals expansion shortfall
Leaders say government's plan to increase funding by 5p per meal goes 'nowhere near far enough'
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Exclusive: Extending free schools meals eligibility to all children from families receiving universal credit will leave schools tens of millions of pounds further out of pocket, analysis suggests.
Exclusive: Extending free schools meals eligibility to all children from families receiving universal credit – while increasing per-meal funding by just 5p – could leave schools tens of millions of pounds further out of pocket, analysis suggests
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-face...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-face...
Schools face £47.5m free school meals expansion shortfall
Leaders say government's plan to increase funding by 5p per meal goes 'nowhere near far enough'
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Exclusive: Extending free schools meals eligibility to all children from families receiving universal credit – while increasing per-meal funding by just 5p – could leave schools tens of millions of pounds further out of pocket, analysis suggests
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-face...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-face...
Two trust bosses have teamed up to develop their own artificial intelligence (AI) platform to solve the 'challenge of data fragmentation' in schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-ai-platf...
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-ai-platf...
New AI platform aims to make sense of ‘myriad of data’
Open Education AI seeks to help schools bring together data from multiple apps and tools
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Two trust bosses have teamed up to develop their own artificial intelligence (AI) platform to solve the 'challenge of data fragmentation' in schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-ai-platf...
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-ai-platf...
💬 Almost half of school leaders needed mental health support in the past year, with nearly three quarters saying their job has affected their wellbeing, a new survey has found
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 5:00 AM
💬 Almost half of school leaders needed mental health support in the past year, with nearly three quarters saying their job has affected their wellbeing, a new survey has found
💬 Almost half of school leaders needed mental health support in the past year, with nearly three quarters saying their job has affected their wellbeing, a new survey has found
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 12:05 AM
💬 Almost half of school leaders needed mental health support in the past year, with nearly three quarters saying their job has affected their wellbeing, a new survey has found
Investigation: Dozens of academy trusts have bolstered their reserves by up to 900 per cent, as leaders tighten their belts ahead of the coming financial storm
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-finan...
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-finan...
Trusts’ finances improve, but leaders brace for rainy days
Some chains boost reserves by up to 900%, but others remain in deficit as leaders warn of tough times ahead
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Investigation: Dozens of academy trusts have bolstered their reserves by up to 900 per cent, as leaders tighten their belts ahead of the coming financial storm
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-finan...
schoolsweek.co.uk/trusts-finan...
The House of Lords has amended the children’s wellbeing and schools bill to include a clause that would force ministers to enact a social media ban for under-16s
schoolsweek.co.uk/lords-passes...
schoolsweek.co.uk/lords-passes...
Lords passes bill amendment demanding social media ban
It places further pressure on the government to enact a ban amid growing calls
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
The House of Lords has amended the children’s wellbeing and schools bill to include a clause that would force ministers to enact a social media ban for under-16s
schoolsweek.co.uk/lords-passes...
schoolsweek.co.uk/lords-passes...
Primary school teachers reported more children are joining reception not 'school ready' last year, a survey has found
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/more-reception-children-not-school-ready-survey-finds/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/more-reception-children-not-school-ready-survey-finds/
More reception children not 'school ready', survey finds
Survey also found regional gaps in school readiness, amid an increase in pupils not toilet trained
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Primary school teachers reported more children are joining reception not 'school ready' last year, a survey has found
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/more-reception-children-not-school-ready-survey-finds/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/more-reception-children-not-school-ready-survey-finds/
Exclusive: The senior civil servant in charge of schools and SEND policy at the Department for Education is set to leave her role, Schools Week can reveal, just as ministers are poised to unveil sweeping reforms to the system
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-schools-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-schools-...
DfE schools boss gets new job as white paper looms
Juliet Chua will continue to play a 'pivotal role' in reforms before moving to Cabinet Office
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Exclusive: The senior civil servant in charge of schools and SEND policy at the Department for Education is set to leave her role, Schools Week can reveal, just as ministers are poised to unveil sweeping reforms to the system
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-schools-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-schools-...
'If we want all children to appreciate and enjoy mathematics, particularly in schools serving disadvantaged communities where non-specialist teaching is most prevalent, then we need pathways that support teachers to engage deeply with its disciplinary practices'
schoolsweek.co.uk/forget-speed...
schoolsweek.co.uk/forget-speed...
Why schools should embrace teaching apprenticeships
There’s no quick fix for vacancies, but apprenticeships provide staff who can support pupils from day one
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 8:38 AM
'If we want all children to appreciate and enjoy mathematics, particularly in schools serving disadvantaged communities where non-specialist teaching is most prevalent, then we need pathways that support teachers to engage deeply with its disciplinary practices'
schoolsweek.co.uk/forget-speed...
schoolsweek.co.uk/forget-speed...
ICYMI: Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver has admitted merging the behaviour and attendance judgment areas in the watchdog’s new inspections 'did bother' him 'tremendously'
Ofsted chief: Merging behaviour and attendance 'bothered' me
Leaders take issue with the new joint judgment area, but Oliver says it's what consultation called for
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 6:00 AM
ICYMI: Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver has admitted merging the behaviour and attendance judgment areas in the watchdog’s new inspections 'did bother' him 'tremendously'
'With campaigners pressing the issue and DfE’s survey revealing inadequacies in some schools’ systems, it is likely that the use of edtech will lead to litigation of some kind in the UK this year'
schoolsweek.co.uk/do-you-know-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/do-you-know-...
Do you know what pupils are viewing on school computer kit?
Schools should urgently reflect on their approach to devices that they provide to pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 9:06 PM
'With campaigners pressing the issue and DfE’s survey revealing inadequacies in some schools’ systems, it is likely that the use of edtech will lead to litigation of some kind in the UK this year'
schoolsweek.co.uk/do-you-know-...
schoolsweek.co.uk/do-you-know-...
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver has admitted merging the behaviour and attendance judgment areas in the watchdog’s new inspections 'did bother' him 'tremendously'
Ofsted chief: Merging behaviour and attendance 'bothered' me
Leaders take issue with the new joint judgment area, but Oliver says it's what consultation called for
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver has admitted merging the behaviour and attendance judgment areas in the watchdog’s new inspections 'did bother' him 'tremendously'
The government is investing £23mil in expanding an edtech and AI pilot across more than 1,000 schools.
The major trial will see cutting-edge tools tested in classrooms, and analyse the impact on pupil outcomes and teacher workload
The major trial will see cutting-edge tools tested in classrooms, and analyse the impact on pupil outcomes and teacher workload
£23m expansion of school edtech and AI pilot
The government is investing £23 million in expanding a pilot to trial artificial intelligence and edtech tools in schools, the education secretary has announced
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The government is investing £23mil in expanding an edtech and AI pilot across more than 1,000 schools.
The major trial will see cutting-edge tools tested in classrooms, and analyse the impact on pupil outcomes and teacher workload
The major trial will see cutting-edge tools tested in classrooms, and analyse the impact on pupil outcomes and teacher workload
Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver has admitted merging the behaviour and attendance judgment areas in the watchdog’s new inspections 'did bother' him 'tremendously'
schoolsweek.co.uk/merging-beha...
schoolsweek.co.uk/merging-beha...
Ofsted chief: Merging behaviour and attendance 'bothered' me
Leaders take issue with the new joint judgment area, but Oliver says it's what consultation called for
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver has admitted merging the behaviour and attendance judgment areas in the watchdog’s new inspections 'did bother' him 'tremendously'
schoolsweek.co.uk/merging-beha...
schoolsweek.co.uk/merging-beha...
The government is investing £23 million in a four-year pilot to trial AI and edtech tools in more than 1,000 schools and colleges, the education secretary has announced
£23m expansion of school edtech and AI pilot
The government is investing £23 million in expanding a pilot to trial artificial intelligence and edtech tools in schools, the education secretary has announced
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 1:01 PM
The government is investing £23 million in a four-year pilot to trial AI and edtech tools in more than 1,000 schools and colleges, the education secretary has announced
Breaking: The government is investing £23 million in a four-year pilot to trial artificial intelligence and edtech tools in more than 1,000 schools and colleges, the education secretary has announced
schoolsweek.co.uk/23m-expansio...
schoolsweek.co.uk/23m-expansio...
£23m expansion of school edtech and AI pilot
The government is investing £23 million in expanding a pilot to trial artificial intelligence and edtech tools in schools, the education secretary has announced
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Breaking: The government is investing £23 million in a four-year pilot to trial artificial intelligence and edtech tools in more than 1,000 schools and colleges, the education secretary has announced
schoolsweek.co.uk/23m-expansio...
schoolsweek.co.uk/23m-expansio...
ICYMI: New Department for Education guidance on parental complaints has urged families to ensure 'clear, respectful communication' in a five-step process that says to avoid social media and use AI with 'caution'
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 8:01 AM
ICYMI: New Department for Education guidance on parental complaints has urged families to ensure 'clear, respectful communication' in a five-step process that says to avoid social media and use AI with 'caution'
🏫 When Dr Jenny Blunden took charge at her Cornish trust, its three schools were 'broken'
But in a fight against low aspirations, the CEO has added successful schools and continues to battle for them as budgets remain squeezed
Read our profile of her here 🔽
But in a fight against low aspirations, the CEO has added successful schools and continues to battle for them as budgets remain squeezed
Read our profile of her here 🔽
Dr Jenny Blunden, CEO, Truro and Penwith Academy Trust
Fighting low aspirations for children in Cornwall
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 5:11 PM
🏫 When Dr Jenny Blunden took charge at her Cornish trust, its three schools were 'broken'
But in a fight against low aspirations, the CEO has added successful schools and continues to battle for them as budgets remain squeezed
Read our profile of her here 🔽
But in a fight against low aspirations, the CEO has added successful schools and continues to battle for them as budgets remain squeezed
Read our profile of her here 🔽
'By placing communication at the heart of engagement – explaining decisions clearly, listening carefully and responding with empathy and understanding – schools can reduce complaints, support staff wellbeing and focus their efforts on enabling children to thrive'
schoolsweek.co.uk/seven-commun...
schoolsweek.co.uk/seven-commun...
Seven communications tips to reset parent-school relations
New guidance is welcome, but we need to address a root cause sitting beneath policy and process
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 4:27 PM
'By placing communication at the heart of engagement – explaining decisions clearly, listening carefully and responding with empathy and understanding – schools can reduce complaints, support staff wellbeing and focus their efforts on enabling children to thrive'
schoolsweek.co.uk/seven-commun...
schoolsweek.co.uk/seven-commun...
The government’s consultation on the matter will consider whether leaders 'should have a clear legal obligation to consider the guidance in setting and implementing mobile phone policies'
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-ch...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-ch...
Ofsted to check phone policies and 'tougher' guidance coming
Government will also consult on a potential social media ban for children
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 4:05 PM
The government’s consultation on the matter will consider whether leaders 'should have a clear legal obligation to consider the guidance in setting and implementing mobile phone policies'
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-ch...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-ch...