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6 August 2026

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Opinion

A charter won’t fix the teacher wellbeing crisis

The DfE’s new initiative is welcome, writes Mary Bousted, but this charter can’t be used to paper over the cracks of a broken accountability system The DfE and Ofsted recently launched a staff wellbeing charter to “protect, promote and enhance” staff wellbeing. The NEU supports this initiative because a commitment to improve access to mental […]

Research: What really inspires teachers?

Teachers’ responses to our recent survey confirm some steroptypes of what inspires about the profession – but they also reveal some interesting insights about retention, writes Eve Debbage  Needless to say, the past year has been a challenging time for teachers. A quick glance at social media confirms it still is. Based on that, it […]

Research: Who benefits from inclusion?

New research suggests the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs has positive effects that could be further improved upon, writes Rob Webster The enduring debate about the inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can be as polarising as it is emotive. Some argue inclusion is a human […]

Exam boards don’t deserve the criticism they’re getting

Criticism of exam boards fails to take in all their work behind the scenes, says Philip Wright. So here’s a little of what they’re doing to earn their fees With no exams happening this summer for the second year running, and with teachers working flat out to deliver grades for their students, it’s not surprising […]

Veiled needs pose a hidden risk to post-Covid catch-up

A growing number of young people report keeping their suffering to themselves. Simon Walker explains the evidence and how to support them It used to be that most pupils with challenging emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) were difficult to miss. Challenging needs almost always meant challenging behaviours. But not anymore. The majority of pupils facing […]

Why we asked ministers to mind their language on exclusions

Ministers have agreed to reconsider new language around exclusions that caused a visceral reaction. Philippa Stobbs explains why words matter  Nationally, disabled pupils are more likely to be absent, excluded or bullied. At the Council for Disabled Children, we devote a lot of energy to understanding and preventing that, and we know the language we use is crucial. So we […]

Helping children exit the deep well of traumatic bereavement

When life feels scary for children, teachers are particularly well placed to notice and offer ways to cope with the pain of loss, writes Beck Ferrari    School staff provide daily support to children and young people who are facing tough times. Sadly, the death of someone significant in a pupil’s life is likely to be one of those times.   Even when you are experienced in providing such […]

How to avoid being caught out by staff holidays abroad

School leaders will need to plan ahead to minimise the possible impact of staff heading for holidays overseas, writes Jenny Arrowsmith  As half-term and the summer break approach, staff will likely be hoping to get away on holiday. If they choose to go abroad, they risk having to self-isolate afterwards.   Until May 17, when […]

Look to the system – not schools – for ‘moral purpose’

The academies minister is right to say collaboration between schools is a matter of morality – but she’s looking for it in the wrong place, writes Caroline Barlow  Last week, Academies minister, Baroness Berridge came out strongly for the government’s policy of expanding MATs en masse. Hardly surprising. What was surprising was that her argument […]