In the news: your weekly round-up

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An extension to free school meals (FSM) eligibility has been announced by the DfE. Pupils who have at least 1 parent/carer receiving universal credit will be able to receive FSM from September 2026, but these extra pupils will not attract additional pupil premium funding [Schools Week]

Learn which categories of pupils are eligible for pupil premium funding and find out more about each category. 

The government has announced plans to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver educational excellence. The DfE’s package of measures is designed to transform how schools use AI, with the hope that it will give teachers more face-to-face time with children [GOV.UK]

Find out what AI is, how it's used in schools and what schools and trusts need to consider to make sure it’s being used safely and responsibly.

Spending review 2025: what you need to know. Plans include increasing school budgets, extending the rebuilding program and boosting Ofsted’s funding [Schools Week].

It’s likely that schools will still need to be creative to stretch their budgets. Find a selection of the grants available to schools across a range of areas, and details of freebies your school can access.

This week's headlines

• Performance-related pay should be ditched from all schools, unions urge [Schools Week] 

• Schools risk inadvertently paying unqualified teachers less than minimum wage [Schools Week] 

• Dame Christine Gilbert appointed as new Ofsted chair [GOV.UK]

• Ofsted consultation response and new inspection framework confirmed for September [GOV.UK]

• DfE considering changes to who is included in school support staff body [Tes magazine – subscription required]

• The political row over FSM and pupil premium funding: explained [Tes magazine – subscription required]
  
  

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