In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

Subject ‘deep dives’ will no longer be part of ungraded inspections from September. Instead, inspectors will use extended learning walks to consider the impact of the curriculum [GOV.UK]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Understand your role in monitoring the curriculum and questions Ofsted might ask you.

Survey by NAHT shows a “full-blown” special educational needs crisis. Shortages and funding cuts mean leaders can’t provide the support pupils need  [The Guardian]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Understand how provision for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is funded in your school.

More than half of primary schools have no ethnic minority teachers. New study shows the rate of diversity improvement has slowed in recent years [Tes Magazine - subscription required]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Be clear on your role as the link governor for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and learn what questions you can ask to challenge and support your school leaders.

This week's headlines

Schools Week

• 'National standards' planned for unregistered alternative provision (AP)
• Success for councils participating in government's 'safety valve' SEND deficit reduction programme
• Music hubs closing to be replaced by “next generation” of larger hubs
• Matt Hood confirmed as new chief executive of Oak National Academy
• National computing centre misses target to provide CPD 
• New science advisory council to be launched by the DfE
• Academies commissioner reveals “concerted effort” to speak to small trust leaders about potential mergers
• Ofsted to ramp up the scrutiny of schools “putting off” pupils with SEND
• Call for 6th ‘community’ pillar of trust quality descriptor
• 70 schools granted exemption from Christian worship
• GAG pooling guidance being considered by DfE

Tes Magazine – registration required

• Call for schools to be vigilant following International Baccalaureate data leak
• Concerns over year 11 absence rates as GCSEs begin
• Ofqual issues warning over exam cheating
• Pupils highlight a lack of praise as they grow older
• Just 1% of heads say SEND funding meets pupil needs

BBC News

• 2024 set to be the last year pupils will get extra help in exams due to COVID
• Ruth Perry's sister angry over lack of Ofsted change
• Teachers in Bedfordshire open up about verbal and physical attacks
• Rise in GCSE 'exam scams'

GOV.UK

• New special school locations announced

The Guardian 

• NAHT to launch campaign against single-phrase school judgements

The Independent

• Over 900,000 pupils living in poverty don’t qualify for free school meals, MPS told

The Telegraph - registration required

• Change to 1-word ratings must come from government, according to Ofsted chief

Upcoming dates

Monday 13 May – Key Stage 2 SATS week begins

Thursday 16 May – Summer school census day

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