Weekly round-up: Schools’ soaring costs and digital guidance

Catch up on your must-read education news and analysis from the past seven days here:

• Revealed: The schools worst hit by the costs crisis
  The proportion of maintained schools in deficit rose to 13 per cent in 2022-23, according to new government figures showing how they faced increased spending amid the costs crisis last year.
• Exclusive: ‘Crisis’ as alternative provision demand surges
  A Tes investigation has revealed a huge surge in demand for pupil referral unit places amid concern over “extreme” behaviour and lack of specialist support.
• Digital guidance: what schools need to know
  New Department for Education guidance sets out more tech standards for schools - from creating digital leads within the SLT to minimum screen sizes for tablets.
• Schools’ leaders sign Ofsted support pact
  With Ofsted inspections resuming this week, headteachers and leaders of schools across one city have formed a support network to help each other through visits from the inspectorate.
• Middle leader tips: how to manage staff retention
  Are your team members looking to leave? If so, how can you try to support them to stay? The latest instalment of our Middle Leadership Essentials series of guides offers expert advice.
• Scottish teaching unions demand 6.5 per cent rise
  Teaching unions in Scotland are demanding a pay rise of 6.5 per cent for teachers for 2024-25, saying this is a “moderate and very reasonable” claim.
• Just four in 10 teachers found their last Inset day useful
  Less than half of teachers found their last Inset day of use, according to new research highlighting how these days often aren’t focused on improving teaching.
• Measles outbreak: what schools need to know
  With measles cases rising, schools and nurseries have been given guidance on what to do if they have a confirmed or suspected case.
• Nine in 10 parents say schools need more Stem teachers
  With research showing parents’ concern about a lack of maths and science teachers, Teach First is calling for an increase in pay for trainee teachers in shortage subjects.
• Warning over ‘major deterioration’ in early years education
  A government focus on childcare over high-quality education in the early years risks widening the disadvantage-related attainment gap, the Sutton Trust has warned.
• Teachers need guidance on AI, says DfE report
  Teachers require guidance to help them identify and respond to students using artificial intelligence to cheat, according to a new DfE report.
• Attendance: one in five pupils persistently absent
  The number of pupils missing a significant amount of school has remained stubbornly high despite a recent government drive to tackle low attendance, new data shows.