In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

UK competition watchdog extends contractor ‘bid-rigging’ investigation. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is gathering further evidence amid suspicions that some building contractors and technical advisors rigged bids in order to secure contracts with schools [Schools Week].

Financial oversight is one of the governing board's core functions. Get to grips with what your board's key responsibilities are, and learn what financial oversight means in practice.

Government decarbonisation scheme set to come to an end. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which provides funding to schools to help replace heating systems and reduce energy bills, will not continue beyond the currently awarded projects, the government has confirmed [Schools Week]

Continue your work on making your school green by embedding sustainability into your vision, strategy and practice.

“We need to think differently” about the SEND system, according to the education secretary. Bridget Phillipson was questioned on SEND reforms this week, with concerns raised around the amount and quality of education, health and care (EHC) plans [Tes magazine - subscription required]

Be clear on what EHC plans are, what they contain and how pupils with special educational needs (SEN) receive one. Also understand when you might see one as a governor.

This week's headlines

• 5.3% of pupils in England now have an EHC plan, the highest figure on record [Schools Week]

• Renewed calls for DfE to consider auto-enrolment for free school meals (FSM) [Schools Week]

• AI was used in curriculum review analysis, DfE confirms [Tes magazine – subscription required]

• Pupils’ use of drugs and alcohol in school is contributing to violent and disruptive behaviour, according to a survey by NASUWT [Tes magazine – subscription required]

• MAT leaders have been asked by the DfE to join a CEO reference group to advise the government [Tes magazine – subscription required]
  
  

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