Guidance

The latest news, analysis and best-practice advice when it comes to official education guidance coming from the government, inspectorates and governing bodies

Tuesday

8th Jul 2025

DfE launches ‘phonics-inspired’ primary writing framework
The new framework is set to be revised if DfE changes the national curriculum following the current review
Children with phonics cards

Monday

7th Jul 2025

KCSIE 2025: What has changed
The DfE has published updated Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance for 2025 – here’s what schools need to know
Children with device

Friday

27th Jun 2025

How Ofsted will inspect the impact of AI use in schools
Ofsted releases information for schools on how it will look at the effect of artificial intelligence on teaching and learning – but says it does not yet have enough evidence to define good use of AI
Ofsted has explained how it will inspect the impact of AI use in schools

Monday

23rd Jun 2025

Delayed KCSIE puts schools in ‘impossible situation’
The wait for this year’s Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, which was due to contain ‘substantive’ changes, is causing ‘unnecessary anxiety’, warn safeguarding leads
Road map markers

Thursday

19th Jun 2025

Behaviour guidance ‘crystal clear’ on exclusions, says Swinney
FM hits back after guidance for schools on behaviour and consequences is dismissed by Tories as ‘handwringing nonsense’ that is vague on use of exclusions
John Swinney behaviour

Wednesday

18th Jun 2025

Recording of racist incidents ‘essential’, Scottish schools told
New government guidance for schools on tackling racism is timely amid a rise in far-right narratives and hate speech, says diversity expert
Draft guidance for schools on tackling racism has been published by the Scottish government

Tuesday

10th Jun 2025

DfE sets out how schools can ‘safely’ use AI
New guidance for schools on using AI can help to cut teachers’ workload, says the government
Guidance on the use of AI for schools has been published

Monday

9th Jun 2025

How useful are your ‘book looks’?
Work scrutinies, or ‘book looks’, are often not used well to support school improvement, suggests Mark Enser. So, how can leaders get this practice right?
book looks

Tuesday

20th May 2025

A-level exam dates 2025: timetables and other key information
The 2025 A-level exam series begins on Monday 12 May. Find everything you need to know in our complete guide
A-level exam dates 2025: Timetables and other key information

Thursday

15th May 2025

Why it’s time to scrap punitive teacher appraisals
As the sector moves on from performance-related pay, schools need performance management systems that focus more on meaningful professional growth than on compliance and control 
How to make teacher appraisals more effective

Wednesday

14th May 2025

‘Urgent’ call for clarity on single-sex spaces in Scottish schools
The Scottish government should immediately withdraw its ‘out of date’ guidance for schools and issue new guidance in the wake of Supreme Court ruling, says SSTA
Transgender Scotland Clarity

Friday

2nd May 2025

Heads demand clarity on the legal right to seclude pupils
School leaders voice fears over changes to government guidance on the use of restraint, warning that they could lead to the unfair treatment of pupils with SEND
Pupil sitting on her own