Podcasts about Ofsted

Stef and Nathan dive into the revised Ofsted framework... we decided to start with the Curriculum Teaching and Training chapter, as we think its where the fundamental TLA practice sits. Its meaty and there is a lot to it, and so there will be a part 2 to this chapter as there is lots to think about.

A school in Chatham has been placed in special measures by inspectors who found staff physically intervened with pupils. Ofsted found safeguarding measures at Wayfield Primary were not being met, and demanded urgent improvements be implemented. School bosses and the trust running it, say they take the report very seriously and have already been implementing a robust programme of improvement. Also in today's podcast, a father and son accused of murdering a four-year-old boy in a hit-and-run in Southfleet have been found not guilty. Peter Maughan was in a Ford Ranger which was "clipped at speed" by another vehicle on New Barn Road last June. Hear from a detective who reacted to the verdict outside court. We've been hearing from a business owner in Canterbury who's still unable to trade, days after a devastating fire nearby. The Odeon cinema in St George's Place caught alight last Saturday afternoon and we've been chatting to Louise Jones-Roberts who runs Tokyo Tea Rooms. Young people in Kent are being encouraged to show their love for nature by taking part in a hedge planting campaign. Tomorrow is being dubbed Hedgentines Day and is being celebrated with a planting event in Chislet near Canterbury as part of a joint project between the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Youngwilders. In sport, Chatham Town are getting ready for a big weekend - they're playing in the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup. They'll be the underdogs tomorrow as they take on WSL 2 side Birmingham City at St Andrew's. And, the Gillingham boss is looking for a response from his squad in this weekend's league two clash with Oldham Athletic.  The Gills suffered another defeat away at Chesterfield during the week - hear from Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Gove joins Teachers Talk Radio for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation with teachers on the biggest issues in English education and the legacy of his time as Education Secretary. We cover: • What Gove says he “got wrong” — and why he thinks reforms didn't go far enough • “The Blob”: regrets, meaning, and who he says it referred to • Curriculum & EBacc: impact on arts, vocational routes, and “knowledge-rich” schooling • SEND & inclusion: reasonable adjustments, direct instruction, and ambition for all pupils • Teacher retention: why 40–50k leave and what he thinks is driving it • Behaviour & violence in schools: exclusions, alternative provision, phones/social media • Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, safeguarding judgements — and the Ruth Perry case • Plus: a quick-fire ending (including Brexit…) Featuring teacher questions from Liz Webb (English teacher, 20 years) and Yasmin Omar (assistant headteacher). Thanks to our show partners AQA and Hachette Learning for supporting Teachers Talk Radio.

rWotD Episode 3204: Solihull Sixth Form College Welcome to random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia's vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Tuesday, 10 February 2026, is Solihull Sixth Form College.Solihull Sixth Form College is a further education college for students aged 16 to 19. It is situated on the outskirts of Solihull in the West Midlands and draws students from across Solihull and Birmingham. Founded in 1974, the college consists of several large buildings on a single site.The college offers different subjects at A-Level, as well as a small number of vocational courses. The college received an Ofsted inspection in February 2020 with the rating "Good".This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:39 UTC on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Solihull Sixth Form College on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Justin.

We delve into the stark realities of learning inequality, the crucial role of the science of teaching, and the transformative power of education, even in the face of conflict. Dr. Asyia Kazmi, CEO of WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education), an organization that is part of the Qatar Foundation, helps us explore the challenges and solutions in global education. As a former math teacher, Dr. Kazmi offers specific, evidence-based strategies for improving learning outcomes — including the concept of structured pedagogy — and discusses the nuances of AI and education, urging caution and the need for region-specific, full-stack solutions. Dr. Kazmi emphasizes that improving learning (not just access to schooling) must be the primary goal for policy. She confronts the notion that poverty is an insurmountable barrier to educational success, asserting that educators have a deep responsibility to provide a pathway out of poverty for low-income students. The conversation also delves into the unique challenges of the Arab world, highlighting the 60% learning poverty rate in our region. This episode was produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.Find out more about WISE

On the Twilight Show, host Tony and guests Yannick Berland and Zoe Enser discuss current issues facing schools: the new Ofsted framework and how it accounts for context, the debate over a social media ban for under-16s, and the role of Ofsted-style consultants. They examine the balance between relationships and classroom management, trust intervention, and the high-stakes nature of inspections, sharing practical reflections from inside schools. The conversation highlights tensions between accountability and context, concerns about student wellbeing and technology, and the challenges leaders face when choosing external advice. The episode invites teachers to contribute their experiences and join future discussions.

The Education Brief: Wednesday 4 February 2026 - Top stories include:Ofsted's new inspections are driving a rise in workload for headteachers and SENCos.White disadvantaged girls are seeing the sharpest fall in GCSE attainment.Plans in the upcoming schools White Paper will push settings “beyond their comfort zone.”Disputed data suggests one in six schools are running shorter than the 32.5-hour minimum.Pupils feeling in control of their learning can make up to two months' extra progress in reading.28 per cent of parents avoid reading with their children because they lack confidence.HEP Updates:Sign up for our Governor Conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/haringey-governor-conference-2026-sustainable-and-informed-governance-tickets-1977619334666Find and book CPD sessions at https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUiFDrOuEOAListening - https://email.nurseryworld.co.uk/c/1USqyZky7xSr0sgyFx4xN4LBNRX8Reading - https://wslaw.co.uk/blog/the-impact-of-ai-in-school-complaints-processes/AI Tool - https://www.canva.com/magic/⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

A bartender wrongly accused of stealing is to receive thousands in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed following a wage dispute.The 22-year-old is being awarded more than £4,000 after a judge found those running the Thomas Becket pub in Canterbury withheld her pay packet.Also in today's podcast, the leader of Kent County Council has written to the Home Office to ask for more funding for young asylum-seeking adults who have left care.KCC currently receives no government support for people the authority continues to look after for four years once they have reached the age of 21.The owners of the UK's most famous scenic railway have been challenged to justify their decision to close the ride before a panel of councillors.Dreamland announced last Tuesday that it was closing the century-old ride at the amusement park in Margate – you can hear from the Mayor of the town who wants them to appear before a scrutiny panel. Villagers have raised concerns about plans for a new housing estate saying they're coming “under attack”. It's after plans were put forward for the properties at Mountain Farm in Hamstreet. And in football, you can hear from Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth who is ready to make changes when they return to action this evening.The Gills visit Notts County on the back of a 4-1 humbling by leaders Bromley at Priestfield on Saturday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we're joined by Leanne Foster as we discuss her experience of a pilot Ofsted inspection at her school. We discuss the focus on the EYFS and the conversations that Leanne and her team had with the inspectors as part of the process.Episode LinksExplore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader BriefingStay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs

The Education Brief: Wednesday 21 January 2026 - Top stories include:All school staff will receive SEND and inclusion training, backed by £200 million from the DfE.Ofsted will start checking every school's mobile phone policy during inspections.New DfE complaints guidance tells parents to keep complaints respectful and off social media, and to use AI “with caution.”Nearly three-quarters of teachers in a new NEU survey say their school can't afford “the basics.”HEP Updates:HEP Inclusion and SEND Conference 2026: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hep-inclusion-send-conference-2026-neurodiversity-in-the-classroom-tickets-1758147629889Leadership 55 - HEP Members: https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/calendar/leadership-55-with-jon-hutchinson/Leadership 55 - Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leadership-55-with-jon-hutchinson-tickets-1980621769028Ofsted Training: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ofsted-unpacked-for-school-trust-leaders-4805843Get your Big 7 place: https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/calendar/big-7-what-every-teacher-needs-to-know-2/Sign up for our Governor Conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/haringey-governor-conference-2026-sustainable-and-informed-governance-tickets-1977619334666Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d95J8yzvjbQListening - https://www.thinknpc.org/blog/podcast-systems-change-elliot-trevithick/Reading - https://teacherhead.com/2026/01/11/the-choreography-of-teaching-30-children-at-the-same-time/AI Tool - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40979-023-00146-z⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

Restorative conversations are everywhere in schools right now. They're written into behaviour policies, referenced in Ofsted language, and promoted as the gold standard for repairing harm and building accountability.But what happens when those conversations don't work - especially for pupils with SEND?In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you'll learn why:·         standard restorative conversations can break down for pupils with communication difficulties, empathy differences, trauma histories or rejection sensitive dysphoria·         what restorative practice assumes about children's skills, why some pupils struggle to access those conversations·         how to adapt your approach so it remains inclusive, fair, and effective - without lowering expectations or abandoning accountabilityIf you've ever walked away from a “restorative” conversation thinking, ”that didn't change anything”, this episode will give you the practical strategies you've been missing.Important links:Download our FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

The Education Brief: Wednesday 7 January 2026 - Top stories include:Ofsted has published the first batch of school “report cards” under its new inspection framework.Labour is pressing ahead with plans for Ofsted inspections of multi-academy trusts.Data on the effectiveness of RISE school improvement teams will be published this year.Daniel Kebede warned the NEU would “absolutely” strike if the government changed the 1,265-hour directed time limit.The DfE will use an AI “correspondence drafter” to help answer its external emails.HEP Updates:Get your Big 7 place: https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/calendar/big-7-what-every-teacher-needs-to-know-2/Find the Monday Briefing here: https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26-01-12-HEP-Monday-Briefing-v1.0.pdfAccess the Primary Middle Leadership Training here: https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/calendar/primary-subject-and-middle-leadership-training-session-1-of-4/Sign up for our Governor Conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/haringey-governor-conference-2026-sustainable-and-informed-governance-tickets-1977619334666Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lik-KsfxK5AListening - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-in-schools-2026-predictions-policy-and-what-might/id1546748470?i=1000744076671Reading - https://uk.bettshow.com/send-crisis-whitepaperAI Tool - https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001042-your-year-with-chatgpt-faqs⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

With the launch of the new Ofsted framework at the end of last year, you may be wondering what this means for SEND. In today's episode, Ofsted join us to discuss the key elements of the new inspection framework and its implications for SEND. In this episode, host Dale Pickles is joined by Adam Sproston, a senior His Majesty's Inspector for SEND, AP, and Inclusion. Together, they explore: The key changes in Ofsted's new framework and what they mean for SEND. How inclusion is now at the heart of educational inspections. The collective responsibility of school leaders in supporting neurodiverse students. Adam brings his extensive experience in school improvement and strategic SEND leadership to the conversation, providing listeners with valuable insights into how schools can create an inclusive environment for all learners. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or involved in supporting SEND students, this episode offers essential information and guidance on navigating the changing landscape of education. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!   About Adam Sproston Adam Sproston is Senior His Majesty's Inspector for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), alternative provision (AP) and inclusion. He is a qualified teacher and has taught across the full primary age range. Before joining Ofsted, Adam gained extensive school improvement and senior leadership experience in primary schools, including specially resourced provision. He has also worked at local authority level in both early years and SEND strategic leadership. Adam holds a NPQH and the national award for SEND coordination. He leads inspections of primary, special and independent schools. Adam also leads and quality assures area SEND inspections.   Contact Adam https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted https://x.com/Ofstednews http://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sproston-63872725b   Useful Links Ofsted's latest area SEND thematic report - Beyond the classroom: the experiences of children with SEND who are not in school - GOV.UK   B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

Tom Rogers is joined by two school leaders who have recently experienced OFSTED inspections under the new grading system. What was it like? What information would help other school leaders? What were the positives and problems with the inspections in their current form? Has anything really changed? Guests are Steve Ellis, current MAT CEO, and Simon Botten, Executive Headteacher.

For show notes, links, and a summary episode, sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hey! What You Reading For ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter. Mondays at 7am BST - https://tdape.beehiiv.com/subscribeFor maths curriculum questions contact us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or via support@alta-education.com Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠The Story of Maths⁠⁠⁠ - www.alta-education.com/tsom-overview Episode 261: What does your first year in headship really look like when you inherit a school in special measures, with an unstable leadership history, significant behaviour challenges, and the pressure of Ofsted hanging over every decision?In this episode of Thinking Deeply About Primary Education, Kieran Mackle is joined by Olivia Dempsey to unpack the tension every new head feels: make an instant impact to establish credibility… while also building prudent, sustainable systems that last beyond year one.Olivia shares what she prioritised first (and what she refused to rush), why behaviour became the lever that unlocked everything else, and how radical transparency—about the budget, the strategy, and the hard realities—helped rebuild trust with staff. She also speaks candidly about redundancies, the emotional toll of leadership, and why modern headship increasingly includes safeguarding, community support, and “whatever it takes” problem-solving.You'll hear practical insights on:building staff trust through purposeful listeningbalancing quick wins with long-term strategyimproving behaviour to protect teaching and learningrecruiting and rebuilding teams under pressureleading in contexts of high vulnerability and povertywhy headship can't be done well without community networksIf you're a new headteacher, aspiring head, senior leader, or a teacher curious about school improvement in real conditions, this one will land.

The early childhood community in England is experiencing a significant shift in how early years provision is inspected and understood. Ofsted's renewed early years inspection framework, now in place, shapes this episode and article. Drawing on a conversation with Jayne Coward from Ofsted, it explores what has changed, what remains central, and what this means for educators, children and families.   For the full article and documents mentioned in the episode visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsteds-renewed-early-years-inspection-framework-what-educators-need-to-know/   This episode is in partnership with Ofsted.   You can hear more from Ofsted at our 2026 conference: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/   Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: ·       The case for systemic change in Ofsted's approach, by Lucy Lewin: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-case-for-systemic-change-in-ofsteds-approach/ ·       Ofsted's and the DfE's voices must be heard whether we like them or not… by Adam Marycz: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsteds-and-the-dfes-voices-must-be-heard-whether-we-like-them-or-not/ ·       Ofsted: 'Sole arbiter of quality', by Dr Sue Allingham: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsted-sole-arbiter-of-quality/   Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/   Episode break down: 00:00 – Welcome and topic introduction 03:10 – What is the renewed inspection framework? 04:30 – Putting babies and children first 06:05 – The EYFS as the backbone of inspection 07:20 – Moving from fear to collaboration 08:40 – Consultation, pilots and feedback 10:00 – Inspector expertise and training 11:20 – Planning call and the end of the learning walk 13:00 – Professional dialogue during inspection 14:05 – Understanding context and community 15:30 – Curriculum, pedagogy and play 17:20 – Early years toolkit examples 19:05 – Conference reminder and podcast break note 20:00 – Workload, autonomy and 'not performing for Ofsted' 21:45 – Managing nerves and pressure 23:10 – Paperwork and what inspectors look at 24:10 – Talking with staff, key persons and apprentices 25:40 – Final message to educators For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

In this energising and wide-ranging conversation, Dave Whitaker joins James and David to explore behaviour, belonging, learner effectiveness, and the courageous cultural work needed to create schools in which every child can thrive. Dave Whitaker is the Chief Education Officer at the Wellspring Academy Trust, working across 33 schools and alternative provisions in the north of England and Lincolnshire. A former geography teacher who moved through the pastoral route into leadership, Dave is known nationally for The Kindness Principle, his advocacy for relational practice, and his unwavering belief that children flourish when adults lead with compassion, consistency, and high expectations rooted in humanity. His Guardian-featured work on creating exclusion-free, restorative, relational schools challenged the national narrative on behaviour and ignited a conversation that still reverberates today. Across Wellspring's mainstream, AP, SEMH and special schools, Dave supports leaders to build cultures of unconditional positive regard, trauma-informed practice, context-specific autonomy, and a strong collective commitment to inclusion. His work demonstrates that it is possible to run high-functioning, high-expectation schools without relying on zero-tolerance, punitive systems - but only if leaders invest in the three-to-five-year cultural journey required to get there. James and David share insights from the Education Policy Alliance and the urgent need to reconfigure systems that default to behaviourism, high-stakes testing, and top-down reform. They connect these ideas to the recent Everybody Thriving unconference and Wellspring's Next Decade conference, examining how genuine change happens — and why it so often doesn't. Together, they explore: Why kindness is not a soft option — and why it's astonishing that this still needs saying How relational practice sits on a spectrum from zero-tolerance to “batter them with kindness” Why cultural transformation in schools takes 3-5 years, not weeks How Wellspring has never had a permanent exclusion Why some behaviour approaches become “selective by culture” The misconceptions that plague relational, restorative and trauma-informed practice The problem with national top-down reform, and why place-based change matters Why we need a more expansive definition of human development — beyond subjects How strong cultures give staff autonomy while holding shared values at the core Why bravery from leaders and trusts is essential in an Ofsted-driven system This is a hopeful, deeply practical conversation about culture, compassion, courage and what it really takes to build inclusive schools that work for ALL children. Links The Kindness Principle (Dave's book): https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/the-kindness-principle Wellspring Academy Trust: https://wellspringacademytrust.co.uk Dave on Twitter/X: https://x.com/davewhitaker246 Guardian article - ‘We batter them with kindness': schools that reject super-strict values- https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/feb/27/schools-discipline-unconditional-positive-regard School isolation rooms are damaging pupil wellbeing, new study warns - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/school-isolation-rooms-are-damaging-pupil-wellbeing Wellspring's Next Decade conference: https://thenextdecade.co.uk/ Support the pod The Rethinking Education podcast is brought to you by Crown House Publishing. It is hosted by Dr James Mannion and David Cameron, and produced by Sophie Dean. This podcast is a labour of love, and we love doing it. If you'd like to support the podcast and convey your appreciation for these conversations, you can: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/repod Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/repod

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Scotland qualifying for the World Cup put me in hospital Cost of unregistered childrens care homes a national scandal Ofsted Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years Holly Willoughby fined 1,600 for careless driving Andrew Mountbatten Windsor wont get money back from Royal Lodge Trans girls banned from joining Girlguiding National Guard shooting suspect charged with murder Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10 Ukrainians in war ravaged Donbas weigh prospects of peace deal Catherines Christmas message of love in uncertain times

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Ukrainians in war ravaged Donbas weigh prospects of peace deal Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years Scotland qualifying for the World Cup put me in hospital Cost of unregistered childrens care homes a national scandal Ofsted Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10 Holly Willoughby fined 1,600 for careless driving Andrew Mountbatten Windsor wont get money back from Royal Lodge Catherines Christmas message of love in uncertain times Trans girls banned from joining Girlguiding National Guard shooting suspect charged with murder

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10 Ukrainians in war ravaged Donbas weigh prospects of peace deal Holly Willoughby fined 1,600 for careless driving Trans girls banned from joining Girlguiding Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years Cost of unregistered childrens care homes a national scandal Ofsted National Guard shooting suspect charged with murder Catherines Christmas message of love in uncertain times Andrew Mountbatten Windsor wont get money back from Royal Lodge Scotland qualifying for the World Cup put me in hospital

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Catherines Christmas message of love in uncertain times Ukrainians in war ravaged Donbas weigh prospects of peace deal Holly Willoughby fined 1,600 for careless driving National Guard shooting suspect charged with murder Scotland qualifying for the World Cup put me in hospital Cost of unregistered childrens care homes a national scandal Ofsted Trans girls banned from joining Girlguiding Andrew Mountbatten Windsor wont get money back from Royal Lodge Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10 Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years

In this episode, I'm talking honestly about Christmas – both as a person and as a social worker. I share my own complicated relationship with the festive season, from hypervigilant childhood Decembers to slowly reclaiming pockets of joy with my own children (yes, including my very extra homemade advent calendar).Then we look at Christmas in practice: how to protect your own energy in December, set realistic non-negotiables, and gently let go of the traditions and expectations that are stressing you out. I'll also walk you through some practical reflections for the children and families you work with – from contact/family time and foster carer support, to poverty, gifts, domestic abuse and safety planning that actually means something.If Christmas feels heavy, complicated or lonely this year, this episode is here to remind you that you're not alone, and that joy and risk can co-exist – in your life and in your practice.Timestamps:00:00 – Finding my Christmas footing (and my intro) Rusty with podcasting, updates on The Social Work Collective Academy, and the Ofsted masterclass invite.10:00 – Christmas + you as a social worker Complicated feelings about Christmas, reparenting, boundaries, non-negotiables, and letting go of festive pressure.40:00 – Christmas for children and families in practice Contact/family time, poverty and presents, domestic abuse, safety planning, and holding both risk and joy in social work.Lets connect!To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Join The Collective Ebook Guides Email: vicki@socialworksorted.comLinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer Thank you so much for listening. Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Ann Palmer - educator, leadership coach, and founder of Figtree International - for a rich conversation spanning diversity, leadership, and the future of AI in education. Drawing on over 35 years of experience as a headteacher, Ofsted inspector, and international trainer, Ann shares how her work now centres on helping leaders grow into their roles, embedding sustainable approaches to diversity and inclusion through initiatives like the RACE Charter Mark, and exploring how technology can empower rather than replace teachers. Together they discuss why diversity work must move beyond tokenism, what great coaching looks like for school leaders, and how AI can enhance strategic thinking without eroding it. It's a conversation about courage, consciousness, and change - rooted in Ann's belief that education leadership should always be personal, purposeful, and impactful.Ann Palmer FCCT has over 35 years of experience working in education, and has partnered with schools across the UK and internationally. She is the founder of the RACE Charter Mark which is an award recognising effective race equality strategies. She's a qualified Executive Coach and Team Coach, and is often described as “a leader who leads with flair and vision” and is described as “inspirational”. Ann is a MAT Trustee, School Governor, Charity Trustee and Business Advisor, and she is the founder and CEO of Fig Tree International. She is also a published author, a podcaster and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2010 and given royal recognition in 2022.Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emma Turner FCCT is a school improvement advisor, education consultant, trainer and author. She has almost three decades of primary teaching, headship and leadership experience across the sector, working and leading in both MATs and LAs. She works nationally and internationally on school improvement including at single school level and at scale. She has a particular interest in research informed practice in the primary phase, early career development, and CPD design. Follow Emma on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emma_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

The Education Brief: Wednesday 26 November 2025 - Top stories include:A school in Camden offers parents ‘attendance awareness courses' instead of issuing fines, and three-quarters of participating families have seen attendance rise.Ofsted will resume routine inspections in state schools from 1 December.Male secondary headteachers earn £5,000 more a year than their female counterparts on average.Teachers get a far poorer maternity deal than many other public sector workers.Many councils are unable to say how many home-educated children are subject to child protection enquiries, raising safeguarding issues.HEP Updates:Book sessions on the https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hep-inclusion-send-conference-2026-neurodiversity-in-the-classroom-tickets-1758147629889https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/responding-to-a-cry-for-help-additional-resource-bases-in-schools/https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Using-Multimedia-in-the-Classroom-Teacher-Flyer.pdfWatching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyYhKHOxFvkListening - https://educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s5e08-doug-lemov-on-what-to-do-and-active-observation-techniques/Reading - https://carlhendrick.substack.com/p/is-a-noisy-classroom-a-thinking-classroomAI Tool - https://fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/oxed/secondary/Teaching_the_AI_Native_Generation.pdf⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

Childminders play a vital role in the early years of children's lives, offering care, stability and a familiar face during those formative years. But their numbers are in sharp decline. Many are no longer able to offer places for three and four year olds, citing government funding pressures. Today, Ofsted have released new figures on how many childminders are leaving and joining the profession. Childminder Georgina Young joins Nuala McGovern to share her experience of the joys and challenges of childminding, and what the future might hold for the profession.Saskia Reeves is the theatre, film and TV actor known for her many roles including Katherine Standish in the hit Apple TV series Slow Horses. She's now back at the National Theatre, in a new play, End – the last in a trilogy of plays by David Eldridge - Beginning and Middle – with Clive Owen, exploring love and relationships. Saskia joins Nuala to discuss. The Independent Commission on UK Counterterrorism has just published its report after three years. A long and detailed report, it estimates there are up to 70 UK-linked individuals, mostly women and children—most under 10 years old—believed to still be in camps or other detention centres in Iraq and Syria. Professor of Religion, Gender and Global Security, Katherine Brown, is one of the 14 commissioners. She explains why the women and children remaining in these camps is "unsustainable" and why an organised programme of return, rehabilitation, and integration is, they believe, the best long-term option for managing the risk to public safety. Frank Gardner, the BBC's Security Correspondent, joins them to discuss.Coroners' advice and concerns on maternal deaths in England and Wales are being ignored despite them raising repeated issues, a new study has found. Dr Georgia Richards, the founder of the Preventable Deaths Tracker at Kings College London who is on the line from New Zealand, discusses the findings.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Adam and Amy discuss the Conservatives' latest suggestions around school phone policy, the difference and take a listener question on the difference between check for understanding and check for listening.

The Education Brief: Wednesday 12 November 2025 - Top stories include:Schools should appoint a named staff contact for families needing support with uniform costs.Ofsted has made last-minute changes to how performance data will be used.England still has 850 stand-alone trusts - with many untempted to join a MAT.RE will join the national curriculum, but only if the sector can reach consensus on how to do it.Bridget Phillipson admits the triple science entitlement will need more specialist teachers.This week's deep dive: The Curriculum and Assessment ReviewHEP Updates:Book sessions on the https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/ https://register-national-professional-qualifications.education.gov.uk/Watching - Watch the Zoom recording hereListening - https://evidenceintoaction.podbean.com/Reading - https://tdtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CPD_Report_Digital.pdfAI Tool - https://research.google/blog/learn-your-way-reimagining-textbooks-with-generative-ai/⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

In this week's episode, I'm sharing a story that unfolded in my local park — one of those moments where instinct, practice experience, and humanity collided.After intervening in what appeared to be a domestically abusive situation, I walked away thinking about the one message every child, every adult, and every social worker needs to hear more often: “It's not your fault.”In this episode, I talk about: • Why this message matters more than we realise • How systems, culture and upbringing shape our silence • The tension between speaking up vs staying quiet • The role social work skills play when things unfold in real time • How we help children (and ourselves) disconnect shame from experience • The importance of naming abuse with clarity, confidence and compassionInside the Social Work Collective Academy, we're exploring confidence, regulation and reflective practice through our 12-week Confidence in Practice Journey — and this episode connects deeply to that work.If you want weekly guidance, bitesize practice support, domestic abuse training, court skills, child protection process refreshers and access to our December Masterclass on OFSTED, you can join the Academy anytime here. Lets connect!To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Join The Collective Ebook Guides Email: vicki@socialworksorted.comLinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer Thank you so much for listening. Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

Caroline Flack was a Bafta-winning TV presenter, host of shows including Love Island and The X Factor. In February of 2020, she took her own life ahead of a court case in which she was charged with the assault of her then boyfriend, after weeks of press scrutiny. Her mother Christine Flack tells Clare McDonnell about spending the past five years uncovering documents from the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to try to find out more about the events around Caroline's death and she also questions the role of the press. That journey is documented in a two-part documentary out on Disney+ called Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth.A new schools inspection system begins in England today. Overall judgements, such as 'good' or 'requires improvement,' have been scrapped and schools will now be given one of five grades in several different categories. The changes were prompted by the death of the head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life in January 2023 whilst waiting for the publication of an Ofsted report she knew would grade her school as "inadequate." Clare speaks to the BBC Education Reporter Vanessa Clarke and Tom Middlehurst, Deputy Director of Policy at the Association of School and College Leaders.Louise Penny is the multi award-winning Canadian crime novelist. Her books have sold over 18 million copies worldwide and this year marks the 20th anniversary of her hugely popular Inspector Gamache series. Her latest novel is called The Black Wolf and follows on from her previous one The Grey Wolf. Gamache has foiled a plot to poison Montreal's drinking water, but has discovered that this is simply phase one of a dark master plan and he needs to take on not only an organised crime syndicate, but also delve into the murky depths of government and power to discover who the black wolf is. There is a brand new podcast out from a familiar voice - Emma Barnett: Ready to Talk, in which Emma invites listeners into her world for bold, honest, and deeply human conversations about the experiences in life that shape and connect us. In the first episode Emma talks to her friend, the journalist and presenter Kate Thornton, about something she's never spoken about publicly before: perimenopause. In the UK, 13 million women are currently experiencing the perimenopause, or menopause, but information about what it is and what can help can be hard to find. Emma tells Clare about her own experience.Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Andrea Kidd

Mashood Ahmad is the CEO and founder of Gigabit IQ, an award-winning UK broadband provider dedicated to delivering safer, smarter, and faster internet through fully managed Wi-Fi and industry-leading online safety tools. A recognised voice in digital inclusion and child online protection, Mashood is a Council Member at ISPA UK and a vocal advocate for stronger ISP accountability in protecting families online.Under Mashood's leadership, Gigabit IQ has pioneered services like FamilyGuard+, a network-level parental control solution designed to meet the real-world needs of modern families. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including children in care, refugees, and low-income households, through fair access broadband and safety education.Mashood is the author of the white paper “Beyond the Act: The Hidden Layer of Online Harm No One's Regulating”, which challenges current UK online safety legislation and proposes a new national ISP Safety Rating System, akin to NCAP for cars or Ofsted for schools.A frequent speaker on digital safety, Mashood is leading an Online Safety & ISP Accountability session at the UK Internet Parliament Conference with ISPA, and continues to work with regulators, MPs, and safety groups to shape a safer digital future for all.Takeaways: The introduction of digital safety measures is akin to implementing seat belts in cars, enhancing Internet safety. Gigabit IQ aims to provide parental controls that ensure children access only age-appropriate online content. The company's initiative, Parent Line, offers parents guidance on navigating online safety and concerns. Faster Internet speeds necessitate enhanced safety protocols to protect children from harmful online content. Gigabit IQ advocates for industry-wide parental controls, empowering parents to safeguard their children online. Digital inclusion is essential; broadband should be accessible to all communities, regardless of their location. Chapters:00:17 - Digital Safety in the Age of the Internet01:41 - The Launch of Parent Line13:47 - Advocating for Online Safety in Broadband Services21:12 - The Importance of Granular Parental Controls28:33 - Digital Inclusion and Accessibility39:24 - Empowering Parents for Online Safetyhttps://www.gigabitiq.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashood-ahmad-gigabitiq/https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigabit-iqhttps://www.facebook.com/GigabitIQhttps://www.instagram.com/gigabit_iq/https://x.com/GigabitIQhttps://www.tiktok.com/@gigabitiqhttps://www.youtube.com/@GigabitIQhttps://bsky.app/profile/gigabitiq.bsky.socialhttps://mastodon.social/@GigabitIQhttps://www.parentline.ukShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

Hello and welcome to conversations from the AandF podcast.  In this episode I speak to Dan Boxall-Simpson, he's returned to the podcast to update us on the progress of EPIC Fostering the independent foster care agency he is in the process of setting up. He shares some of the challenges of navigating the process, Ofsted applications and more. It's interesting to find out why now is a good time to do this and chat about their ethos and vision as a not for profit agency.  You can find out more about EPIC and EPIC family CIC here.  As always if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com   Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here

Why are we still doing things for Ofsted? Why do we hear, “Make sure your case notes are up to date — for Ofsted”?In this episode, I explore how inspection culture shapes the way we work and how it can create fear instead of reflection. With grounded takeaways for directors, managers, and practitioners, this episode looks at how we can rebuild calm, confidence, and purpose within our organisations.Join me for the live Managing Ofsted, Regulation & Change masterclass  free for members of The Social Work Collective Academy. 

The Education Brief: Wednesday 5 November 2025 - Top stories include:The DfE's pitch to the STRB is a 6.5% teacher pay rise over three years.The NAO warns Labour's SEND reforms must squarely tackle home-to-school transport.The DfE has lifted the lid on the Strategic School Improvement Capital Budget.School referrals to children's social care hit a record in 2024–25, topping 130,000.Round Up for Schools:The DfE and Ofsted are both leaning heavily into SEND, highlighting the need for reform in the system.Absence at primary is just over 4% in primary and 7% in secondary.New research on summer-born pupils has been released.The plan is to remove all RAAC from affected schools and colleges before the general election.Ofsted has refreshed its AI guidance as well as information on workforce transparency and pupil/parent voice.A/T/V Levels are in focus due to the new Post-16 White Paper.New guidance has been released on students who may be arriving from Gaza.HEP Updates:⁠HEP Inclusion & SEND Conference 2026: Neurodiversity in the classroom⁠https://haringeycreates.com/cultural-education-summit-2025/Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YTTJPez4zwListening - ⁠https://www.ppfideas.com/episodes/fixing-democracy%3A-tiktok%2C-disinformation-and-distractionReading - https://www.ippr.org/articles/breaking-the-cycle-send-reformAI Tool - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/groups/cgk3rj0kl55t⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

This episode dissects the revised Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions that school leaders can take now to prepare and offering expert insights and tips. Our panel has extensive experience of Ofsted inspection, and they break down the key changes that schools should be focused on and how best we can respond. We highlight key aspects of the revised framework, including the implications of the new evaluation areas and grading points. We interrogate the new "secure fit" model of inspection and Ofsted's new "expected standard". We delve into the inclusion thread that runs throughout the framework and will dominant inspections from now on and we discuss the new focus on school context, asking how school leaders can best communicate this information during inspection. We offer top tips for the Monday phone call, tips for identifying strengths/weaknesses, touch upon the new role of the "nominee" and the case sampling of pupils. Finally, we list actions that schools should be taking now to set themselves in good stead for inspection under the new regime.

The UK Government's Best Start in Life strategy, released in July 2025, sets out a cross-departmental vision to improve services for children and families in England. While it acknowledges the importance of early childhood, this article and podcast episode explores the significant gaps in funding, workforce support, and inclusion—raising critical questions about its implementation and long-term impact. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-best-start-in-life-strategy-and-what-it-means-for-the-sector/ This episode is in partnership with Nursery Management Show: Nursery Management Show is the largest show dedicated to nursery management and leadership. Join us on the 28th November 2025 for one day of insightful content, discussion and networking for the early years sector, plus access to industry leaders, suppliers and providers. To find out more visit: https://nurserymanagementshow.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand_terms&utm_content=general&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23062247191&gbraid=0AAAAA9sh3mbG3FTDmUu7UbuKto_rjDnAW&gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUoUljJvWMDBu15irIlZUiQNRF7umNlD8pTG0XXW-8q8zSK5rQnKXhxoC7wMQAvD_BwE Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · Should 4-year-olds really be expected to sit still? With Poppy LeMar - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/should-4-year-olds-really-be-expected-to-sit-still/ · Elevating children's thinking: Conceptual understanding through inquiry and play with Sue Tee - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/elevating-childrens-thinking-conceptual-understanding-through-inquiry-and-play/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode break down: 00:00 – Welcome! 02:00 – What is the Best Start in Life strategy? 04:15 – A critical eye on the strategy 06:00 – Funding and optional extras 08:00 – Funding in economically deprived areas 10:00 – Qualifications & a graduate workforce 15:00 – The experience based route to being qualified 16:00 – Family Hubs and community 18:30 – Support for children with SEND 20:00 – Ofsted inspections & inclusion 22:00 – Social enterprises & non for profit 27:00 – Government Policy at the Nursery Management Show 29:30 – School readiness within the strategy 34:00 – Further reading & information For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

The Education Brief: Wednesday 22 October 2025 - Top stories include:Grammar schools surged to the top of this year's GCSE league tables with schools now ranked by Attainment 8.In Parliament on Monday, the education secretary and her team answered MPs' questions.A new report warns “hundreds of millions of pounds” are being wasted on teacher development.The CST has called for Ofsted's upcoming multi-academy trust inspections to be ungraded.Artificial intelligence could soon help analyse lessons by new teachers under a pilot programme.Deep Dive: Post-16 education and skills white paperRound Up for Schools:Secondary accountability measures (including Progress 8 and Attainment 8)Focus on reading in secondary years to drive up standardsKey stage 4 performance 2025Destinations of key stage 4 and 5 students: 2024STA Assessment UpdateParents supported to navigate early years misinformation onlineBuy musical instruments, equipment and technologyEstimating pupil numbers: how to complete your return for 2026 to 2027HEP Updates:⁠HEP Inclusion & SEND Conference 2026: Neurodiversity in the classroomWatching - https://events.hyve.group/today-is-world-mental-health-day-1Listening - ⁠https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002k4lnReading - https://jmarriott.substack.com/p/the-dawn-of-the-post-literate-society-aa1?r=1x9c3zAI Tool - https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/a-personal-assistant-for-your-inbox⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

Join our free WhatsApp community for Q&A submissions,polls on future episodes & links to the podcast first: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HB7n1PNGdGL5STACssEH1sLeave us a review and share this episode with someone youthink might enjoy it! It really helps us out.Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/teachsleeprepeatpodcastFollow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/teachsleeprepeatpodcast

The Education Brief: Wednesday 15 October 2025 - Top stories include:Ofsted's top brass defended their new “report card” inspection system before MPs.ASCL is considering legal action against Ofsted over fears its “report card” inspection system could harm school leaders' wellbeing.Three in four teachers say misogyny is now a major problem in schools.There has been a “vacuum of information” around the long-awaited SEND reforms.Only 6 per cent of SEND coordinators say they can complete their work within contracted hours.Round Up for Schools:Book staff on NPQs now and share bursary and scholarship info to boost recruitment.Drop AI and data posters into this week's staff briefing and update your privacy notice templates.Finalise your PE premium plan — focus on sustainability and inclusion.Secondaries can launch The Bro Code discussions with Heads of Year or RSHE leads to implement the anti-misogynistic resources into your curriculum.HEP Updates:⁠HEP Inclusion & SEND Conference 2026: Neurodiversity in the classroomLeadership 55 with Patrick CozierWatching - https://community.stem.org.uk/browse/scl-odListening - ⁠https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002kf52Reading - https://substack.nomoremarking.com/p/why-education-can-never-be-funAI Tool - ⁠https://openai.com/index/sora-2/⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠

The Education Brief: Wednesday 1 October 2025 - Top stories include:Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged a library in every English primary school by 2029.Ofsted insists it can fund as many monitoring inspections its new ‘report card' system will trigger.Teacher recruitment applications for training are up 10 per cent, but secondary recruitment will still fall 15 per cent short of target.An independent review has urged Oak to drop its “National Academy” label.The government plans to expand free breakfast clubs to 2,000 more primary schools from 2026.Round Up for Schools:Teachers claim student loan repaymentsDfE resources for effective governanceHEP Updates: Order Leadership 55 - the bookBig 7 - What Every Teacher Needs to KnowThe Bro Code from HEPWatching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF3mg4sMdkUListening - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002jgm7Reading - https://www.faireducation.org.uk/report-card-2025AI Tool - https://uk.bettshow.com/ai-in-educationMusic by Slo Pony

Experienced middle leader and MFL teacher Yannick Berland and consultant and former OFSTED inspector John Bald discuss their feelings and experiences of OFSTED inspections through the years. With Yannick's 25 years in the profession and John's 175 involvements in past inspections, get ready for some no holds barred opinions regarding the impact of OFSTED on the teaching profession, both good and bad.

 From November 2025, inclusion, behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing are set to take centre stage during Ofsted inspections. But what does this mean for schools in practice – especially when it comes to supporting SEMH? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we unpack the key changes in the new framework and answer the questions school leaders and teachers are already asking. Will Ofsted finally “get” SEMH? How will inspectors judge behaviour when it looks different for pupils with additional needs? And what does “exceptional” practice actually look like under the new rules? More importantly, you'll discover the practical steps you can take now to prepare your policies, staff, and systems – so you're inspection-ready and future-ready. If you want clarity on what Ofsted's new approach really means for behaviour and SEMH in your school, this episode is for you.Links: Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leadersJoin other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture.To learn more and book your free place, visit:https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

The Education Brief: Monday 22 September 2025 - Top stories include:Just 11 per cent of 10,000 surveyed teachers feel positive about Ofsted's new framework.Councils are accusing schools of shutting out vulnerable pupils during in-year moves.A Schools Week investigation has uncovered “serious concerns” over Catholic schools refusing places to children in care by prioritising those of their own faith.More than half of academy trust bosses are considering cuts to classroom staff and reducing teaching assistant hours.This week's deep dive: HEP's Improvement Partner and Support Partner ConferenceWatching - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-inspection-framework-engagement-programmeListening - https://www.insideyoured.com/Reading - https://www.alexatherton.com/snowflake-mythAI Tool - https://replit.com/usecases/ai-website-builderMusic by Slo Pony

The Education Brief: Monday 15 September 2025 - Top stories include:The DfE has introduced a new accountability framework alongside Ofsted's new toolkit.TES reports the hidden attendance crisis is internal truancy - pupils in school but not in lessons.The IFS calls England's SEND system “broken” and warns that quick-fix reforms risk backlash.Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the race to be Labour's deputy leader.This week's deep dive: Ofsted's new inspection frameworkWatching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_vniz4HzwListening - https://freshedpodcast.com/shore/Reading - https://carlhendrick.substack.com/p/the-paradox-of-memory-why-forgettingAI Tool - https://notebooklm.google.com/Music by Slo Pony

On Nick Ferrari at Breakfast:Sick days are on the rise with staff absent for an average of almost 14 days in the last twelve months.Ofsted are set to roll out new report-cards for schools. Nick speaks with Chief Inspector of Ofsted Sir Martyn Oliver. All this and more on Nick Ferrari: The Whole Show podcast

Nick Gibb, former schools minister under numerous conservative governments, joins Tom and Dave to discuss all that happened in the years 2010-2024. They debate some of the biggest talking points of the period including OFSTED, Academies, PISA results and more. Was this a disaster period for education or a relative success? Nick defends the Conservative record on education. 

In this lively and wide-ranging episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Wem are joined by Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg for a passionate conversation about early years education, authentic child development, and how political targets can squeeze the joy out of childhood. From the UK government's 75% ‘good level of development' goal to the cultural biases baked into classroom expectations, Alistair shares decades of experience as a teacher, head, author, and consultant. The discussion challenges compliance-focused models, explores the link between environment and behaviour, and highlights the importance of safe failure and intrinsically motivated play. With powerful anecdotes from around the world – from Cumbria classrooms to Icelandic snow schools and Australian bush kindy – this episode is a call to create spaces where all children can flourish, indoors and out.⏱ Chapter Timings:00:00 – Introducing Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg and his unexpected journey into early years03:14 – The politics of ‘school readiness' and targets not based on child development07:36 – Cultural differences, compliance vs engagement, and the risk of starting too soon12:20 – Why typical behaviour is often punished – and the gender bias in compliance17:01 – International examples of environments that foster genuine listening22:40 – Narrowing age bands, Ofsted pressure, and creating authentic spaces for all children27:54 – Forest School, play-based learning, and the value of safe failure35:40 – Training, bias, and the risk of disillusionment with learning44:02 – Forest School as a ‘pressure valve' vs an integrated approach to wellbeing53:58 – Advocating for autodidactic learning in a system built for compliance

“The problems we face are not the fault of any single individual or organisation. They are often the by-product of good intentions. And yet, alongside children and young people and their parents and carers, it's educators who are most exposed to these pressures – who confront them every day, and try to make it all work regardless,” writes today's guest in a piece from May titled Confronting the educational polycrisis.Joining us from Brighton, UK Dr James Mannion is a keynote speaker, teacher trainer, researcher, consultant and author with a passion for educational and political reform. He is the co-founder and Director of Rethinking Education, a teacher training organisation specialising in implementation and improvement science, self-regulated learning and practitioner inquiry. A former teacher of 12 years, James has an MA in person-centred education from the University of Sussex and a PhD in self-regulated learning from the University of Cambridge. He is also the host of the popular Rethinking Education podcast, of which I have been a huge fan for a long time. In fact, HRP contributed the very first video essay we ever made to a virtual arm of James's Rethinking Education Conference back in 2022. This conversation crossover has certainly been a long time coming!“We have multiple crises on our hands,” James writes, “They interact and have become entangled. This makes them difficult to resolve - but resolve them we must.” And my hope today is that even if we can't untangle the polycrisis today, we can at least get a better grasp and perhaps loosen their hold on our education systems.https://drjamesmannion.substack.com/https://makingchangestick.substack.com/https://www.educationpa.org/https://wssnow.org/https://www.ucyottawa.com/invitation-to-the-rcen-book-club/

As Labour looks to get a grip on public spending, one rebellion gives way to another with the changes to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system threatening to become welfare round two. On this week's Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Lucy Dunn is joined by The Spectator's Michael Simmons and former Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman to explore what the government is planning – and why so many Labour MPs are worried. Is the system failing the children it's meant to support, or simply costing too much? And can Labour afford to fix it without tearing itself apart?Listen for: Amanda on the unintended consequences of the 2014 SEND overhaul; why teaching assistants may not be the silver bullet schools think they are; and Labour's mess over Ofsted. Michael Simmons also outlines the fiscal timebomb threatening local authorities; the cultural shift post-Covid that's changed how we approach education; and why one Labour insider is warning, ‘If you thought cutting support for disabled adults was bad, wait till you try it with children.'Produced by Oscar Edmondson.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

As Labour looks to get a grip on public spending, one rebellion gives way to another with the changes to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system threatening to become welfare round two. On this week's Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Lucy Dunn is joined by The Spectator's Michael Simmons and former Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman to explore what the government is planning – and why so many Labour MPs are worried. Is the system failing the children it's meant to support, or simply costing too much? And can Labour afford to fix it without tearing itself apart?Listen for: Amanda on the unintended consequences of the 2014 SEND overhaul; why teaching assistants may not be the silver bullet schools think they are; and Labour's mess over Ofsted. Michael Simmons also outlines the fiscal timebomb threatening local authorities; the cultural shift post-Covid that's changed how we approach education; and why one Labour insider is warning, ‘If you thought cutting support for disabled adults was bad, wait till you try it with children.'Produced by Oscar Edmondson.