Authors

Pepe Di'Iasio
Pepe Di'Iasio

Pepe Di’Iasio has been general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders since 2024.

Pepe was headteacher of Wales High School in Rotherham for 11 years and was also a local authority assistant director of education.

All articles by Pepe Di'Iasio
What Lucy Powell should do about Ofsted, staff wellbeing and pupil rolls
As the new education secretary begins her tenure, ASCL leader Pepe Di’Iasio outlines three priorities in her in-tray
General
24 July 2026
Lucy Powell
Labour’s confusing communications create same old policy problems
ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio laments that the government seems to have learned little from the past as it continues to issue ‘policy via press release’
General
6 February 2026
Pepe di'lasio
Why ‘rage bait’ is an apt word to describe 2025
From AI attendance targets to more mandatory tests, the DfE has not made it easy for schools to remain calm amid so many demands – and 2026 may not be any better, says Pepe Di’Iasio
General
18 December 2025
Mouse trap with cheese
Curriculum review: Plenty of positives, but it doesn’t change frontline realities
Until pay and working conditions are improved, other reforms to the system only increase the issues teachers face, says ASCL general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio
General
5 November 2025
Pepe di'lasio
The next few months will define Labour’s record on education
After a Labour conference short on policy details, we can soon expect big decisions that will shape the future of education – so hold on to your hats, says ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio
General
3 October 2025
Bigger things are coming from Labour's education agenda
We’re lurching towards a crisis over EHCPs - this is how to avoid it
Scrapping education, health and care plans is an incendiary suggestion, warns ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio, who outlines what government must now do to build confidence in its plans to reform SEND support
Specialist Sector
11 July 2025
Throwing a life buoy