In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

Talks between unions and the government fail to make headway on strikes. “No concrete progress” was achieved during the discussions, with the results of several strike ballots now closed [Schools Week]. Read about your role in potential strike action, and download our template letters to keep parents in the loop.

Energy support scheme extended to schools with the highest bills. Only schools paying the highest rates will be eligible for government support from 1 April [Schools Week]. Take a look at questions you can ask about your school’s budget during the cost-of-living crisis.

Teachers warn about rising misogyny in schools. Leaders are sharing their concerns about the spread of sexism among children, due to harmful influencers such as Andrew Tate [The Guardian - free registration required]. Learn more about your role in preventing child-on-child abuse in your school.

This week’s headlines

• London primary schools at risk of closure or merging amid falling intake [The Guardian - free registration required]
• Nearly 70% of ASCL leaders vote in favour of holding a strike ballot [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• Safeguarding concerns amid rise in homeschooling [The Independent]
• Staff at Ofsted and the DfE to hold 1-day strike over pay and pensions [Schools Week]
• New careers programme will teach children about the world of work from year 1 [The Guardian - free registration required]
• Former education ministers call on the government to publish contingency plans for teachers’ strikes [The Telegraph - registration required

Dates for next week

Monday 16 January - Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day

Thursday 19 January - Spring school census day

Sunday 22 January - Lunar New Year

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Re-cap on the past few weeks