Opinion | Schools Week

Opinion

The Hoodinerney model or ‘How to fix the school system’

Five years ago Laura McInerney and Matt Hood developed a model for how the schools system might work more…

Expert Contributor

Opinion

Pupil referral units are amazing places to work

Exclusions are in the national eye at the moment, but the narrative around pupil referral units is all too…

Kiran Gill

Opinion

Permanent exclusion is the punishment of last resort, but it’s sometimes necessary

Even with an inclusive approach and a clear behaviour policy, permanent exclusion is sometimes necessary to protect staff or…

Expert Contributor

Opinion

Are zero tolerance behaviour policies legal?

With the parliamentary education committee considering exclusions at present, barrister Russell Holland explains schools’ legal liabilities The education select…

Expert Contributor

Opinion

Stop siphoning off children into alternative provision

Val Gillies spent three years researching in-school alternative provision. We asked her what the best examples looked like To…

Expert Contributor

Opinion

Teachers: don’t give up in March – you can make it over ‘the wall’!

In marathon races, mile 20 is known as “the wall”, the point when the energy in your muscles runs…

Laura McInerney

Opinion

What knowledge do school governors need?

Much has been written about the skills needed on an effective governing board or trust board, but very little…

Leora Cruddas

Opinion

5 cost-free ways to improve school governance

A few things Damian Hinds could do to improve education governance that would cost him nothing, as suggested by…

Martin Matthews

Opinion

School leaders: tips for successful difficult conversations

Tough conversations with colleagues and subordinates are an unfortunate but necessary aspect of leadership. Sonia Gill, an expert in…

Expert Contributor

Must Read

Opinion: Accountability

Ofsted have wasted an opportunity for fundamental reform

The new framework is rushed and doesn’t deliver the change the sector needs. Bridget Phillipson must step in

JL Dutaut

20h

Daniel Kebede

20h

Labour’s first year

Six priorities for Bridget Phillipson’s second year at the helm

Labour has broadened the definition of success for schools. Here’s how it can now ensure everyone works towards this…

JL Dutaut

Liz Robinson

Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor, 5 September 2025

Schools Week’s legendary cartoonist hangs up his pen, perceptions of behaviour diverge, and a data disaster looms

JL Dutaut

ITT

Degree apprenticeships are key to increasing and diversifying recruitment

Work to deliver the new qualification should continue at pace to meet recruitment challenges by making teaching more accessible,…

JL Dutaut

Melanie Renowden

ITT

ITT: Which is the odd one out?

The deeply flawed ITT reforms are a threat to sustainable teacher supply for purely ideological purposes, writes David Spendlove

JL Dutaut

David Spendlove

EXAMS

Exams

University clearing: How teachers can support students

All the important details school staff need to help youngsters through clearing this year

John Dickens

Sam Sykes

Exams

How sitting an exam re-affirmed my respect for our students

I still believe exams to be the best way of testing academic knowledge and understanding but they’re no bagatelle,…

JL Dutaut

James Handscombe

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