Need to know: SEND, Sats and energy price-hike help

In the week where exam invigilator rules were relaxed amid fears of shortages, we reported on Ofqual’s plans to support the use of technology in exams, the recruitment challenges that schools are facing as support staff leave the sector for retail, and how the Department for Education is in the dark on SEND targets.

Among other things, we asked if it was time to get rid of the term “dyslexia”, two teachers argued the point of pen licences and we found out how school leaders were preparing for Sats.

Catch up on your must-read Tes news and features articles from the past week right here:

News

• DfE: Schools may get ‘extra’ energy price-hike help
  The Department for Education is looking into how schools are being affected by energy price increases so it can consider what “additional support” it can provide.
   
• Ofqual to consider use of technology in exams
  Ofqual has said it plans to support the use of technology in exams and believes this has the potential to improve “quality and fairness” for students.
   
• Support staff leave for supermarket jobs as cost-of-living crisis bites
  Schools are facing problems recruiting and retaining their support staff, with low wages - combined with the cost-of-living crisis - resulting in many considering jobs outside of education.
   
• DfE in dark on SEND targets, admits adviser
  The government is currently unable to hold the special educational needs and disabilities system to account properly because it doesn’t collect data on whether education, health and care plan targets are being met, a Department for Education adviser has said.
   
• Exams 2022: Invigilator rules relaxed amid shortage fears
  The number of invigilators required to oversee this summer’s exams will be reduced amid fears about shortages of people to carry out these roles this year.

Features

• Is it time to get rid of the term ‘dyslexia’?
  Literacy difficulties in children are a common occurrence. But when does poor reading become dyslexia - and does dyslexia even exist? John Morgan finds out more in this week’s Tes long read.
   
• SEND support should be about people, not politics
  If we really want a system that is inclusive, we need a cultural change that puts people, not politics, at the centre of every decision, writes Jon Severs.
   
• Is there any point in pen licences?
  Often, pupils work towards a pen licence in key stage 2 - but should they? Here, two teachers go head to head to argue the benefits, and limitations, of the award.
   
• How to support pupils with ADHD, according to a psychologist
  In this episode of Tes Podagogy, consultant clinical psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour discusses why teachers should celebrate, not just tolerate, a neurodivergent diagnosis, and how to support students in the classroom.
   
• Sats 2022: How schools are preparing for final key stage 1 assessments
  It’s not long now until the KS1 Sats are dropped altogether but, for May 2022, they’re back in primary schools. We spoke to school leaders about how they organise them - from the best time of day to what you tell parents.

Tes Magazine Education Insights is a new offering from Tes magazine that features a monthly in-depth report on the education sector, alongside a webinar featuring leading figures from schools, education research and the commercial sector. You can download the latest report and webinar, on the topic of SEND, for free here