In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

Almost 3 in 10 secondary pupils avoid school due to anxiety, according to a new survey. Stem4, a youth mental health charity, has called for more support in schools to counter “emotionally based school avoidance”, which they explain is different from truancy [The Guardian]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Find questions to ask pupils for insight into their wellbeing in our article about getting more out of your monitoring visits and learning walks. 

A coalition of charities that support LGTBQ+ youth have called for the proposed guidance on ‘gender questioning children’ to be withdrawn. The group describes the draft guidance as “exclusionary and unhelpful”, and have published guidance for those who want to respond to the government’s consultation [Tes Magazine - subscription required]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Understand your school’s legal responsibilities around supporting trans pupils, so you can make sure it’s compliant. 

Schools affected by the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) crisis are now eligible for Ofsted inspection. Schools will still be able to defer the inspection if they wish [GOV.UK]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Use our checklists to stay Ofsted-ready as a governor and download our list of questions to feel confident answering queries that inspectors might ask governors.

This week's headlines

Schools Week

• DfE to investigate the impact of DNA testing for educational performance on schools
• Concerns over privacy as schools install toilet sensors that 'listen' to pupils
• Ofsted's electronic evidence gathering (EEG) system regularly forcing inspectors to re-record their findings
• Schools sent “coasting” warning letters despite improvement
• Stealth special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding cuts revealed in new analysis
• School leaders welcome government decision to pause plans for EBacc shake-up
• Trusts forced to dip into reserves to meet rising energy costs
• NASUWT plans consultative ballot over pay and workload
• Electric car charging grants rise to £2,500, with the charging points a potential source of income for schools
• Review ordered into Ofsted’s EEG system
• More 'good' schools should join turnaround trusts, says academies minister Baroness Barran

Tes Magazine – registration required

• Small school training to be delivered to Ofsted inspectors
• Calls from leaders for DfE to pause Progress 8 scores
• MPs back persistent school absence bill
• EYFS recruitment bonus criticised for not going far enough
• Huge rise in pupil mental health emergency referrals
• Academy trust GAG pooling could triple, according to new research

GOV.UK

• Urgent reform needed to reduce waiting lists and improve experiences in alternative provision (AP) settings
• New teaching apprenticeships to offer new route into classroom

The Guardian 

• Free school meals reduce obesity and help reading skills, according to new study
• More than half of British girls lack confidence learning maths

The Telegraph - registration required

• Sexist language on the rise in schools, as more boys are exposed to misogyny online

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