Freddie Whittaker
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social
Editor of national education newspaper Schools Week
www.schoolsweek.co.uk
www.schoolsweek.co.uk
Here's edition 418 of Schools Week
🔍 Over 1,000 schools missed from DfE improvement drive
💽 Dodgy DfE data shortens schools' weeks
🧱 The wall between teachers and higher pay
❓ Decision time for councils on free schools' future
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
🔍 Over 1,000 schools missed from DfE improvement drive
💽 Dodgy DfE data shortens schools' weeks
🧱 The wall between teachers and higher pay
❓ Decision time for councils on free schools' future
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
January 29, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Here's edition 418 of Schools Week
🔍 Over 1,000 schools missed from DfE improvement drive
💽 Dodgy DfE data shortens schools' weeks
🧱 The wall between teachers and higher pay
❓ Decision time for councils on free schools' future
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
🔍 Over 1,000 schools missed from DfE improvement drive
💽 Dodgy DfE data shortens schools' weeks
🧱 The wall between teachers and higher pay
❓ Decision time for councils on free schools' future
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Here's edition 416 of @schoolsweek.bsky.social
We lead on government reassurances the white paper will bring funding for schools and councils, as town halls warn a recent high needs budget freeze will worsen their deficits
Subscribe here: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
We lead on government reassurances the white paper will bring funding for schools and councils, as town halls warn a recent high needs budget freeze will worsen their deficits
Subscribe here: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
January 15, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Here's edition 416 of @schoolsweek.bsky.social
We lead on government reassurances the white paper will bring funding for schools and councils, as town halls warn a recent high needs budget freeze will worsen their deficits
Subscribe here: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
We lead on government reassurances the white paper will bring funding for schools and councils, as town halls warn a recent high needs budget freeze will worsen their deficits
Subscribe here: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Presenting edition 415 of Schools Week, my first as editor
We lead with impending MAT inspections & greater intervention powers for DfE
Plus a deep-dive into internal exclusion, long-read on falling rolls and a profile of a former academies minister
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
We lead with impending MAT inspections & greater intervention powers for DfE
Plus a deep-dive into internal exclusion, long-read on falling rolls and a profile of a former academies minister
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
January 8, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Presenting edition 415 of Schools Week, my first as editor
We lead with impending MAT inspections & greater intervention powers for DfE
Plus a deep-dive into internal exclusion, long-read on falling rolls and a profile of a former academies minister
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
We lead with impending MAT inspections & greater intervention powers for DfE
Plus a deep-dive into internal exclusion, long-read on falling rolls and a profile of a former academies minister
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
My dear friend Aimee’s bookshop Burning House Books is the best in Britain (according to Time Out)! A must-visit if you’re ever in Glasgow!
www.timeout.com/uk/news/this...
www.timeout.com/uk/news/this...
December 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My dear friend Aimee’s bookshop Burning House Books is the best in Britain (according to Time Out)! A must-visit if you’re ever in Glasgow!
www.timeout.com/uk/news/this...
www.timeout.com/uk/news/this...
Presenting edition 414 of Schools Week
🏫 'Nightmare before Xmas' as free schools axed and put in limbo
🔍 We examine how to measure inclusion
💻 And heads describe the rise of the AI complaint
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
🏫 'Nightmare before Xmas' as free schools axed and put in limbo
🔍 We examine how to measure inclusion
💻 And heads describe the rise of the AI complaint
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
December 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Presenting edition 414 of Schools Week
🏫 'Nightmare before Xmas' as free schools axed and put in limbo
🔍 We examine how to measure inclusion
💻 And heads describe the rise of the AI complaint
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
🏫 'Nightmare before Xmas' as free schools axed and put in limbo
🔍 We examine how to measure inclusion
💻 And heads describe the rise of the AI complaint
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Presenting edition 413 of Schools Week
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
December 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Presenting edition 413 of Schools Week
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
💷 Investigation: The council schools with million-pound deficits
🏫 School spotlight: Internal AP
👂 Fears over last-minute SEND listening exercise
Plus teacher recruitment, free school meals, falling rolls and more
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Yikes - doc suggests resulting 1.7% decrease in mainstream school spending
November 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Yikes - doc suggests resulting 1.7% decrease in mainstream school spending
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits
What in the Star Trek Discovery
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 AM
What in the Star Trek Discovery
Same pal. Same
November 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Same pal. Same
Laura Trott now in conversation with former education secretary Michael Gove. He says she has second best job in history in politics (education secretary is best, he says). First question is about behaviour
October 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Laura Trott now in conversation with former education secretary Michael Gove. He says she has second best job in history in politics (education secretary is best, he says). First question is about behaviour
Education secretary @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social being interviewed at packed @csjthinktank.bsky.social and Parentkind fringe here at #lab2025
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Education secretary @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social being interviewed at packed @csjthinktank.bsky.social and Parentkind fringe here at #lab2025
Standing room only for Westminster Hall debate on SEND, called in response to this petition calling for legal rights to be maintained petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Shows the deep concern about upcoming reforms among MPs
Watch here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Shows the deep concern about upcoming reforms among MPs
Watch here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
September 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Standing room only for Westminster Hall debate on SEND, called in response to this petition calling for legal rights to be maintained petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Shows the deep concern about upcoming reforms among MPs
Watch here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Shows the deep concern about upcoming reforms among MPs
Watch here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Proud to present edition 402 of
@schoolsweek.bsky.social
Scoop: Ofsted plans more 'shadow' inspections to test consistency
Locked down: The schools forced to take emergency measures
Profile: Gareth Conyard of the Teacher Development Trust
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
@schoolsweek.bsky.social
Scoop: Ofsted plans more 'shadow' inspections to test consistency
Locked down: The schools forced to take emergency measures
Profile: Gareth Conyard of the Teacher Development Trust
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
September 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Proud to present edition 402 of
@schoolsweek.bsky.social
Scoop: Ofsted plans more 'shadow' inspections to test consistency
Locked down: The schools forced to take emergency measures
Profile: Gareth Conyard of the Teacher Development Trust
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
@schoolsweek.bsky.social
Scoop: Ofsted plans more 'shadow' inspections to test consistency
Locked down: The schools forced to take emergency measures
Profile: Gareth Conyard of the Teacher Development Trust
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Edition 395 of @schoolsweek.bsky.social done and dusted
Everything you need to know about today's pay announcement
@jackydys.bsky.social on high needs funding woes
Plus @johndickenssw.bsky.social long-read on the backlash to government SEND thinking
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Everything you need to know about today's pay announcement
@jackydys.bsky.social on high needs funding woes
Plus @johndickenssw.bsky.social long-read on the backlash to government SEND thinking
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
May 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Edition 395 of @schoolsweek.bsky.social done and dusted
Everything you need to know about today's pay announcement
@jackydys.bsky.social on high needs funding woes
Plus @johndickenssw.bsky.social long-read on the backlash to government SEND thinking
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
Everything you need to know about today's pay announcement
@jackydys.bsky.social on high needs funding woes
Plus @johndickenssw.bsky.social long-read on the backlash to government SEND thinking
Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...
A motion on SEND states 'teachers, support staff, and school leaders must receive mandatory, fully funded, high-quality training in order to meet the needs of learners with complex SEND confidently and effectively'
Calls for 'evidence-based training programmes aligned with national standards'
Calls for 'evidence-based training programmes aligned with national standards'
May 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A motion on SEND states 'teachers, support staff, and school leaders must receive mandatory, fully funded, high-quality training in order to meet the needs of learners with complex SEND confidently and effectively'
Calls for 'evidence-based training programmes aligned with national standards'
Calls for 'evidence-based training programmes aligned with national standards'
Another motion passed raises alarm at the 'continued rise of far right and misogynistic, racist rhetoric and groups and the negative impact this is having on young people'
It calls for 'clear and concise statutory guidance to help schools understand what to do when they encounter these issues'
It calls for 'clear and concise statutory guidance to help schools understand what to do when they encounter these issues'
May 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Another motion passed raises alarm at the 'continued rise of far right and misogynistic, racist rhetoric and groups and the negative impact this is having on young people'
It calls for 'clear and concise statutory guidance to help schools understand what to do when they encounter these issues'
It calls for 'clear and concise statutory guidance to help schools understand what to do when they encounter these issues'
#NAHTconf has now passed a motion warning govt guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions 'is widely being incorrectly interpreted and consequently used to pressurise education settings and staff to provide medical care in place of qualified clinicians'
May 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
#NAHTconf has now passed a motion warning govt guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions 'is widely being incorrectly interpreted and consequently used to pressurise education settings and staff to provide medical care in place of qualified clinicians'
That motion has passed
May 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
That motion has passed
Cheers then Harrogate and #NEU2025. Now off to Liverpool for @nasuwt-official.bsky.social conference!
April 17, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Cheers then Harrogate and #NEU2025. Now off to Liverpool for @nasuwt-official.bsky.social conference!
#NEU2025 now onto a debate about teacher pensions
If passed, it would instruct the union's ruling executive to 'defend the TPS in all educational establishments and oppose any attempts by bodies such as United Learning Trust to leave the scheme'
Background here: schoolsweek.co.uk/academy-trus...
If passed, it would instruct the union's ruling executive to 'defend the TPS in all educational establishments and oppose any attempts by bodies such as United Learning Trust to leave the scheme'
Background here: schoolsweek.co.uk/academy-trus...
April 16, 2025 at 8:55 AM
#NEU2025 now onto a debate about teacher pensions
If passed, it would instruct the union's ruling executive to 'defend the TPS in all educational establishments and oppose any attempts by bodies such as United Learning Trust to leave the scheme'
Background here: schoolsweek.co.uk/academy-trus...
If passed, it would instruct the union's ruling executive to 'defend the TPS in all educational establishments and oppose any attempts by bodies such as United Learning Trust to leave the scheme'
Background here: schoolsweek.co.uk/academy-trus...
Final amendment being moved now, which states that 'Ofsted is continuing to make our members ill and to place them in imminent serious danger'
'We have to make sure we finish Ofsted for good,' says mover Hank Roberts
'We have to make sure we finish Ofsted for good,' says mover Hank Roberts
April 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Final amendment being moved now, which states that 'Ofsted is continuing to make our members ill and to place them in imminent serious danger'
'We have to make sure we finish Ofsted for good,' says mover Hank Roberts
'We have to make sure we finish Ofsted for good,' says mover Hank Roberts
Amendment passes calling for closer working with leadership members in opposing Ofsted
April 16, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Amendment passes calling for closer working with leadership members in opposing Ofsted
