We need to talk about workload (again) Workload continues to cause a retention challenge, writes Reka Budai, but we’re missing important detail to tackle it by focusing on lesson planning as a driver
Assemblies: surfing the ripple to keep pupils focused After wiping out on a wave of disruption of his own making, James Handscombe reflects on how to keep assemblies meaningful – and focused
Time for change: let’s end discriminatory hair policies As well as asking teachers to deliver lessons, school leaders can show their commitment to Black History Month by ending Afro hair discrimination, writes Kate Williams
Ofsted’s framework is failing first and infant schools The only conclusion from the downgrading of so many infant and first schools is that Ofsted’s framework is unfit to judge them, writes David Scott
Recruitment: Our scramble for youth is missing the talent Changes in population and the labour market mean the government’s scramble for young recruits is no longer a workable strategy, writes Katie Waldegrave
Independence is just the start of the new Oak’s problems Plans to re-launch Oak National as an independent body are already running into legal challenges, and could be mired in many more, writes Martyn Davis
The Knowledge: This week’s research highlights Our commissioning editor delves into an EEF report that has reignited the reading wars and left teachers none the wiser
The Review: I heard what you said by Jeffrey Boakye Nothing transformative has ever been said without making someone uncomfortable and this book is no exception, writes Kamraan Khan
The Conversation – with Sarah Gallagher Primary headteacher and PGCE tutor, Sarah Gallagher powers up your week with a look at school improvement, sustainability, primary science and Ofsted deep dives