In the news: your weekly round-up

Top stories

New report highlights need for more mental health support in schools by 2025. Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza warns that a third of children referred to mental health services last year didn’t receive treatment, leading to calls for a faster improvement to currently insufficient services [Schools Week]. Read about how you should be monitoring your school’s duty of care to pupils, to protect pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing.

Ofsted to carry out Monday inspections to avoid strike dates. Unions have raised concerns about the wellbeing impact on any school leaders informed of inspection ahead of the weekend [Tes Magazine - registration required]. Stay up to date with the latest changes and get answers to frequently asked questions about strikes.

New standards set out by DfE for equal access to school sports. The government’s new £600m funding package requires schools to deliver at least 2 hours of physical education a week and to offer equal gender access to sport [GOV.UK]. Remind yourself of your role in monitoring physical education, and find out what questions you should ask.

This week’s headlines

• Government to “bring forward” review of RSE guidance [Schools Week]
• Unison rejects support staff pay offer and plans strike ballot [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• National Tutoring Programme has narrowed the wealth gap for tuition, new data shows [The Guardian - free registration required]
• MATs using funds to subsidise primary schools amid falling pupil numbers leaders say [Tes Magazine - registration required]
• DfE to trial £10,000 “relocation premium” for overseas languages and physics teachers [Schools Week]
• School attendance on Friday falls, as Children’s Commissioner calls for “razor sharp focus” on persistent absences [The Guardian - free registration required]
• Renewed calls for universal free school meals [The Independent]
• DfE launches “flagship language programme” to boost the quality and take up of languages [Schools Week]
• Children’s writing competition ‘500 Words’ to relaunch in September [BBC News]

Dates for next week

Tuesday 14 March - Pi Day

Wednesday 15 March - Deadline for sending admission arrangements to your local authority (VA and foundation schools)

Friday 17 March - St Patrick’s Day

Saturday 18 March - National Child Exploitation Awareness Day

Sunday 19 March - Mother’s Day

Get your weekly reminder

Sign up to the news briefing email

You might also like: