In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

A rise in complaints is putting significant pressure on schools and trusts. The Confederation of School Trusts (CST) has responded to Ofsted’s Big Listen consultation, highlighting the “burden” that complaints cause [Tes Magazine- subscription required]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Understand what not to do when you get a complaint, by reading common mistakes governors make and how to avoid them. 

Schools are being compelled to make cuts due to the increasing cost of living and teacher pay rises. Primary schools are also being forced to make savings because of falling pupil numbers, according to a new report by the National Foundation for Educational Research [Schools Week]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Use our funds and freebies monthly highlights to find a selection of the grants available to schools across a range of areas, and details of freebies you can access.

SEN funding should be devolved to schools, according to new research by the SEN Policy Research Forum. This counters government plans set out in the SEND Green Paper [Tes Magazine- subscription required]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Download our list of questions inspectors might ask about your school's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision to help you prepare for an inspection.

This week's headlines

Schools Week

• Election 2024: school funding most pressing issue for teachers
• Painful funding choices ahead for the next government, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
• Trusts doubtful whether Ofsted single-phrase judgements are “appropriate” or “optimal”
• Lib Dems confirm primary free school meals are “an ambition”, and “not a funded commitment”

Tes Magazine – registration required

• More pupils coming to school hungry, according to a third of primary school teachers
• Almost a third of local areas inspected show urgent SEND problems
• North east schools have highest energy spend per pupil
• ”Persistent education inequalities” a significant problem for next government
• Science teachers can't afford resources for practical lessons
• Behaviour tsar urges new government to increase alternative provision

BBC News

• Labour planning changes to apprentice funding scheme
• 22% rise in the last year in number of pupils in home education

The Guardian 

• 8 in 10 primary teachers spend their own money to help pupils
• Children are reading fewer, less challenging books, according to new study
• English pupil funding remains at 2010 level, according to IFS study

BBC News

• Number of children writing in their spare time falls to record low, with mobile devices occupying their attention

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