Ofsted’s Annual Report 2023/24: Driving Change in Education The 2023/24 Ofsted Annual Report represents a transformative chapter in the evolution of England’s education and social care landscape. After a period of unease and scrutiny for the divisive organisation, and under the leadership of Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, the report reflects the outcomes of the most extensive consultation in …
A Conversation with Emma Bradshaw, Executive Principal and CEO of Alternative Learning TrustPAG puts our clients and, ultimately the children and communities they serve, at the heart of everything we do. While we don’t set foot in the classroom (though some of us did before joining the company), we know that by working with our clients to deliver the best …
Unregistered Alternative Provision: Challenges, Reforms, and the Future What is Unregistered AP? Unregistered AP typically caters to students who are unable to thrive in mainstream education settings due to behavioral issues, special educational needs, or other challenges. However, the absence of regulation and consistent standards has led to systemic weaknesses that place vulnerable children at risk. Unlike registered schools, these settings …
Labour Party Education Reforms:Major Talking Points from the 2024 ConferenceThe 2024 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool has brought a renewed focus on education, with the party outlining its vision for tackling critical challenges facing schools in England. From introducing free breakfast clubs to addressing the systemic issues within Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, the Labour Party education agenda …
Ofsted’s New Look On 16 September 2024, significant changes to the Ofsted school inspection framework came into effect, aimed at increasing transparency and reducing pressure on school leaders. These changes were designed to address long-standing concerns about the inspection framework and to create a more supportive environment for school leaders and staff while maintaining accountability following widespread debate and feedback, particularly …
Bridget Phillipson Faces First Education Questions from MPs Bridget Phillipson and her ministerial team faced their first round of questions from MPs yesterday after Labour’s victory in the July election. The topics, centered around some of the most pressing issues in education today, included SEND education, the ongoing funding challenges, private schools, and the relationship between the government and teachers’ unions. …
Moving Beyond Ofsted’s Single Headline Grades As was expected, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that from today, schools will no longer be assessed using Ofsted’s single headline grades, often referred to as single-word judgements. This move marks the beginning of a broader overhaul of the school accountability system, with the introduction of School Report Cards reportedly set for September …
‘Unacceptable’ Exam Fee Increases Add Pressure on SchoolsIn a move that has sparked significant concern among educational leaders, major UK exam boards have announced above-inflation fee increases for the 2025 examination season. These hikes, which affect both GCSE and A-level exams, have been met with widespread criticism from headteachers, who argue that they place an additional, unsustainable burden on schools …
DfE Publishes Academy Trust Handbook 2024The Department for Education has today published it’s annual Academy Trust Handbook in time for the new academic year 2024/25. Acting as a guide for academy trusts, the guide covers myriad topics such as trust funding agreements, the need for effective governance, safeguarding, and much more, laying out its points in a ‘must’ and ‘should’ …
Private Schools and VAT: Labour Publish New Details on PolicyLabour has today published new details on it’s oft-controversial plan to change the way VAT is applied to private schools. Perhaps not coincidentaly following on from the news that there is a “£20 billion black hole” in the country’s finances, the policy is intended to generate significant revenue but has in …