UK
The latest news, analysis and thought leadership for UK schools
Wednesday
15th Oct 2025
Government sets 90% phonics check target
A mandatory reading test for Year 8 students will also be introduced by the end of this parliament, Bridget Phillipson confirms
New Ofsted inspections: your questions answered
After Tes readers got in touch with some key questions about Ofsted’s new approach to inspections, Cerys Turner provides the answers
Ofsted ‘confused’ about school admissions role
MAT leader Jonny Uttley warns Ofsted is ‘refusing’ to scrutinise schools that ‘push’ students out
Exclusive
Johnson and Treasury ‘gave different messages’ on Covid school recovery
Top official also tells the Covid inquiry of concerns about the DfE’s current ability – in the event of another pandemic – to identify which pupils have digital devices for remote learning
Severe school absence ‘overstated’ in England
Although severe pupil absence is a growing problem since the pandemic, the scale of issue is not as bad as official DfE data suggests, according to a study
How Martyn’s Law will affect schools - and why leaders should act now
Schools will already fulfil many of the requirements of new anti-terrorism legislation for public premises but there are still important new duties to consider, says Professor Michael Green
Sami Timimi: Why ‘invented’ SEND labels are disabling pupils
Diagnostic labels are medicalising young people for behaviours once considered ordinary and are contributing to unsustainable workload in schools, argues psychiatrist Sami Timimi
Teacher interview tips: 6 ways to stand out
Everyone wants to make a big impression in their teacher job interview – here we ask leaders what candidates have done in the past that has really set them apart
Tuesday
14th Oct 2025
GLF Schools announces new chief education officer
Phil Humphreys takes on role at 43-school trust having previously been director of education for Lift Schools
Ofsted leaders defend report card plans to MPs
Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver and Ofsted chair Dame Christine Gilbert face the education select committee as the finalised plans for new inspections come under scrutiny
Williamson admits ‘many mistakes’ made in DfE Covid response
Former education secretary criticises Boris Johnson for giving ‘false hope’ in spring 2020 that schools would reopen