In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

New non-statutory guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools published by the DfE. The guidance is intended to support schools to ban the use of mobile phones during the school day [BBC News]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Find out how to review your school’s mobile phone policy with confidence. 

More than 10,000 pupils have “fallen through the cracks” after leaving state education, according to a new report from the children’s commissioner. The research has led to wide-ranging recommendations, including better training on mental health and a register of alternative provision [Schools Week]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Make sure your school’s safeguarding provisions are working well with our list of questions you can ask your designated safeguarding lead (DSL).

Half of school business leaders are considering leaving their role according to a poll by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). The main reason cited is pay set below that of other senior leaders, and represents a “real risk for the sector” [Tes Magazine - registration required]. 

Support from GovernorHub Knowledge: Use our school business manager (SBM) interview questions to get advice on what to ask and what to look for in the candidate’s answers.

This week's headlines

Schools Week

• Education Policy Institute (EPI) calls for Gatsby-style benchmarks for extra-curricular activities
• Minimum teaching hours brought in for GCSE English and maths resits
• Pupils found to be going without food and sharing food with classmates, amid continued cost-of-living challenges
• DfE rejects calls to scrap the EBacc and has “no plans for wholesale reform” of GCSEs, but sets out current thinking on the issue
• Role of OCR curriculum and exams review chair taken on by ex-education secretary
• Significant rise in rate of pupils leaving schools for home education

Tes Magazine - registration required

• Supply costs a significant barrier for schools
• Plans requested from Ofsted and Ofqual to deal with increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI)
• Budget cuts will lead to schools “having to cross red lines”
• Extending the school day could improve attendance
• 1 in 3 flexible working requests from women rejected by schools
• “Majority” of parents/carers want all primary pupils to get free school meals
• DfE set to miss School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) deadline on pay

BBC News

• UK antisemitic hate incidents hit new high in 2023, reports charity

The Guardian 

• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) facing year-long wait for support
• Skirts and dresses as part of school uniforms affect younger girls' access to PE and play
• Banning phones in England’s schools will not address online safety issues, according to campaigners
• Teachers in England could face ban for failing to report evidence of child sexual abuse
• GCSE grades a good predictor of life chances and wellbeing, new research shows

The Telegraph – registration required

• Financial education should start in primary school, teachers say

Upcoming dates

Friday 1 March – National offer day for secondary schools

Friday 1 March – St David’s Day

Friday 1 March – Women’s History Month begins

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