Friday
DfE’s West Midlands regional director to retire
Andrew Warren, who has headed up the region for six years, says ‘it feels like the right time’ to depart
SEND provision in mainstream ‘needs to be investigated’
With Tes analysis revealing a sharp rise in pupils in SEND provision in mainstream schools, sector leaders voice concerns about a lack of oversight, guidance and funding
Concern over number of children arriving at school ‘still in nappies’
Former children’s commissioner warns too many young children are not receiving the support needed to boost their ‘school readiness’
Phillipson commits to lower Oak National Academy funding
Education secretary sets out a package of reforms in a bid to head off a legal challenge against the curriculum resources quango, Tes can reveal
Thursday
Phillipson says support in maths and science GCSEs should continue
Ofqual consults on whether formulae and equation sheets should be maintained for 2025, 2026 and 2027 exams after education secretary calls for them to remain
Restore expert group to tackle absence crisis, DfE urged
The Attendance Action Alliance – set up to ‘supercharge’ efforts to tackle school absence – has not met since May
Monday
Phillipson asks how teacher pay can support more flexibility
It is unlikely the 2025-26 pay award will be announced before maintained schools set their budgets, the education secretary warns – but vows to reset timelines for 2026-27
Most primary teachers would not consider secondary
The perceived barriers to teachers making the move from primary to secondary, including an ‘us and them’ mentality, have been revealed by DfE research
Give LAs more time to address SEND deficits, union says
The NASUWT teaching union calls on the chancellor to relieve some of the pressure on local authorities created by high-needs block deficits
Tories should hang heads in shame over SEND, shadow minister says
Conservative shadow minister accuses his party of not doing enough for children with special educational needs and disabilities when in government
Friday
Heads’ and teachers’ wellbeing in ‘profound crisis’
New data on teacher and headteacher wellbeing, workload, supply teaching and teaching assistants was published today. Here’s what you need to know
So far the government’s education policy is too cautious
Labour’s announcements on free breakfast clubs, new nurseries and an overhaul of apprenticeships are welcome. But bolder change is needed, says ASCL’s general secretary
