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6 June 2026

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Opinion

Cultural capital is hairspray. What our system needs is a new ‘do’

The limited definition of cultural capital endorsed by Ofsted risks stopping us from dealing with the root causes of inequity in our schools, writes Jeffery Quaye   Amid the ongoing discourse about how we want to restyle our nation post-pandemic, education is well and truly in the barber’s chair. After two years of cancelled examinations, […]

The road to workforce equity in schools is still a long one

Edurio’s new report highlights how much work still needs to be done to break down barriers to equity, writes Leora Cruddas, and leaders should step up to the challenge Our schools and trusts need to be places that build bridges in the creation of a better and more equal society. But while progress is evident […]

Research: What is self-efficacy and why does it matter?

National Thank A Teacher Day matters, writes Cat Scutt, but the concept of self-efficacy means there are good reasons to celebrate school staff more regularly and meaningfully Published in 2014, the Why Teach report found that two of the main reasons people go into teaching are to make a difference, and because they think they’ll be good at it. […]

Our defences are not ready for this tsunami of SEND referrals

At the Westminster Insight SEND conference, Sonia Blandford says government is ignoring a worrying rise in SEND and CAHMS referrals that we are not prepared for Strange. Challenging. Unprecedented. Just a few of the words we have all used to describe the period since COVID-19 has impacted on all of our lives. But while it’s […]

Exploring Windrush is vital to diversifying history in schools

On National Windrush Day, Stephen Bourne reflects on the history curriculum and the importance bringing black British civil rights heroes into the classroom In June 1948, the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury in Essex. The ship carried over 800 people who had left their homes in the Caribbean, and her arrival marked a historic moment […]

Mental health disclosure is on the up – and that’s good

New UCAS figures show that a culture of positive mental health disclosure is growing among university applicants – and room for improvement, writes Nicola Turner Over the past decade, there has been a 450 per cent increase in the number of people sharing a mental health condition in their UCAS application. It’s a positive sign […]

The Duchess, the First Lady and a new focus on early years

As a school leader, I’ve never been more convinced of the importance of the early years, writes Ed Vainker. And now the sector has two powerful allies Despite education having spent weeks on the front pages since March 2020, we have heard far too little about Early Years (EY), given its importance and the impact […]

Why is the NEU finding it so hard to retain Jewish members?

Jewish teachers just want to be represented and supported in the face of antisemitism, writes Madeleine Fresko-Brown, so why are the NEU finding that so difficult? The actions of some NEU leaders over the past few weeks have reignited questions about its ability to represent its Jewish members. The 1996 Education Act mandates that schools […]

Tacking sexual abuse is urgent – and an INSET won’t cut it

Our review into sexual abuse and harassment has been widely accepted, writes Amanda Spielman. So how can leaders make a start tackling the issues it raises? Last week we published our review into sexual abuse in schools and colleges. While we knew these issues were a problem, it’s appalling to see that so many children […]