Small maternity wins are welcome, but we should strive for more Weeks at full salary are doubled but with cuts elsewhere the 7.5% increase is hardly the gift the DfE would suggest, says Emma Sheppard
SEND reforms are a chance to change what we mean by ‘standards’ Let’s be clear about what ‘exceptional’ means now. Exceptional is a school where disadvantaged pupils thrive, not just attend
Ofqual must be bolder on digital exams The proposal to limit digital exams to only two subjects per exam board is unduly restrictive
DfE should support struggling private schools to become academies A targeted approach could help provide a high-quality state-funded education to pupils from a wide range of backgrounds
SEND reforms must strengthen legal foundations, not weaken them Ministers themselves acknowledge that families have endured too much for too long. That is precisely why legal safeguards matter
The white paper is ambitious, but its success hinges on the unknown details Parents will need reassurance that tiered support and reforms to EHCPs do not simply become a new set of hoops to jump through
Give heads what they need to make inclusive mainstream work This is not about withdrawing support from children. It’s about changing the way that support is offered
Teachers need agency to thrive – we’re exploring how and why Agency is often misinterpreted and overlooked, but giving teachers themselves more capacity to act would bring wide-ranging benefits, writes Lisa-Maria Müller
Alignment between leadership and governance takes work Research shows those closest to the frontline worry more over issues like finances. This means building shared understanding is vital