In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

The government has announced the first 300 schools set to receive funding for existing or expanded nursery provision. The DfE has more than doubled its original £15 million EYFS investment, with a view that nursery provision in primary school settings could help it to reach its target of creating 100,000 childcare places [Schools Week].

Understand how to review your EYFS policy and the additional policy requirements for EYFS settings.

NASWUT leader, Dr Patrick Roach, has highlighted a significant increase in union members asking for support with redundancy. Roach has raised concerns around government funding, and stated that NASWUT will wait for the government’s response to the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendations ahead of any possible strike action ballot [Schools Week].

Use our article to get to grips with your role as a governor or trustee in plans for staff restructure.

Headteachers’ calls to reduce the number of proposed Ofsted inspection grades from 5 to 3 has been rejected by Sir Martyn Oliver. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) had suggested reducing the number of inspection grades to 3: ‘causing concern’, ‘attention needed’ and ‘secure’ [Tes magazine - subscription required].

Use our checklist to make sure you’re Ofsted-ready as a governor, and learn how best to support your school when Ofsted arrives.

This week's headlines

•  VAT for private schools battle reaches the High Court [Tes magazine – subscription required]

• No More Marking trial shows the potential power of AI to reduce marking workload for teachers [Schools Week]

• Confederation of Schools Trusts (CST) raises concerns over funding of RISE teams [Tes Magazine – subscription required]
•  The schools working against the odds to support the “forgotten third” of pupils not achieving a grade 4 in English and maths [Schools Week]

Upcoming dates

Tuesday 1 April to Wednesday 30 April – Stress Awareness Month

Saturday 5 April – United Nations International Day of Conscience

Monday 7 April – World Health Day

Get your weekly reminder

Sign up to the news briefing email