In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

Over 80% of school leaders face abuse from parents/carers, with 1 in 10 having been a victim of assault. Many leaders are at breaking point due to increasing hostility, with a poll of 1,600 members of the National Association of Headteachers revealing some leaders are subsequently struggling with anxiety and depression [Schools Week].

Your school leaders can decide to ban parents/carers or visitors who behave aggressively or abusively on the school site. Find out how the process works and the role of the governing board in reviewing bans.

Banning smartphones from schools heavily reduces the overall screen time of children, according to new research for the National Education Union (NEU). The research shows that pupils attending schools with smartphone restrictions spend up to 1.3 hours less on their phones per day [Schools Week].

Is your school or trust thinking about changing your smartphone rules? Find out how to review your school's mobile phone policy with confidence, including questions to ask to help make sure it's robust. 

Concerns raised as to what the future holds with the end of behaviour hubs. The Department for Education (DfE) previously announced that behaviour hubs would be disbanded in March, but with no announcements on what will replace them, the sector is left with concerns [Tes Magazine - subscription required].

Find out how to fulfil your role in promoting good behaviour as part of a whole-school approach. Help support a positive behaviour culture, and find questions to ask to monitor behaviour in your school.

This week's headlines

•  Pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) should be enrolled automatically, according to MPs [BBC News]
•  More young people were not in work, education or training at the end of 2024, than at any point in the past 11 years, new data suggests [BBC News]
• Removal of latin programme a “tragedy” for disadvantaged pupils [BBC News]
• Schools Bill proposal could worsen the recruitment crisis in special schools, leaders warn [Schools Week]
•  New breakfast club scheme off to a shaky start, with some schools already considering pulling out [Schools Week]
•  Very few complaints about academy admissions upheld, new data shows [Tes magazine – subscription required]
• NEU launches ballot on strike action over 2.8% pay rise [Tes magazine – subscription required]
•  Behaviour higher than workload in list of concerns for primary teachers [Tes magazine – subscription required]
•  Number of complaints following Ofsted visits increased by 60% over the last 3 years [Tes magazine – subscription required

Upcoming dates

Thursday 13 March – Purim begins

Friday 14 March – Holi

Friday 14 March – Pi Day

Get your weekly reminder

Sign up to the news briefing email