In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a major national drive to improve school attendance. It promises to increase the number of attendance hubs to 32, and invest up to £15 million over 3 years to expand the attendance mentor pilot programme [GOV.UK]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Be clear on what’s in the guidance and what’s expected from you when it comes to improving school attendance.

“Schools need help to protect pupils online” according to experts speaking to an MPs’ committee. Their recommendations include clearer guidance on digital literacy teaching and more teacher training, as well as more regulations on edtech in schools [Tes Magazine - registration required]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Find out what questions you can ask to review your school’s online safety policy with confidence. 

Headteachers are considering refusing entry to Ofsted unless they see significant change. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s new chief inspector, has promised mental health training for inspectors, as well as a review of inspections, but many heads have accused him of “hollow promises” [The Guardian]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Understand how, as a chair, you can monitor and support the wellbeing of your headteacher or CEO.

This week's headlines

Schools Week

• £4k repayment for RAAC surveys – but only for some schools
• Labour announces plan for absence to fall under Ofsted safeguarding checks

Tes Magazine - registration required

• Schools minister Damian Hinds calls for change in parents’ attitudes to bring absence below 5%
• DfE considers how to bolster international recruitment

BBC News

• Absence report calls for a boost in sport to get pupils back into class
• Labour party plans to use AI to tackle school absence
• Mayor Sadiq Khan confirms extension of free primary school meals in London
• London school attendance hubs launched

The Guardian 

• Disadvantaged pupils less likely to get into a top performing comprehensive than their peers

Upcoming dates

Monday 15 January – Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day

Thursday 18 January – Spring school census day

Get your weekly reminder

Sign up to the news briefing email