Trade union and professional association for school leaders in the UK
The National Association of Head Teachers has presented evidence that the new Ofsted inspection framework is damaging mental health and wellbeing among school leaders. Headteachers describe stress, insomnia and pressure, prompting calls for a pause and a fundamental review of inspections.
As temperatures surge across the UK and Europe, schools face red heat warnings. Authorities urge adaptive measures from headteachers, including flexible timings, ventilation, hydration, and possible early closures. The debate over whether to close schools or keep them open intensifies as unions demand better climate-ready infrastructure.
The Department for Education has announced extra funding to support teacher pay rises but requires schools to cover the first 1% of each increase. NEU and other unions say this is not fully funded and will put pressure on budgets, amid a two-year funding package for schools and colleges.
Pearson has delayed the Key Stage 2 SATs results in England from July 7 to July 16 due to technical issues in marking and data transfer. The Department for Education is considering penalties or cancelling the 180 million contract, while unions call the delay a shambles and demand reliable results.
The government has unveiled a major reform to place technical education on par with academic routes for 14-year-olds, starting from September 2028. The plan links studies to local jobs, expands work experience, and shifts school performance measures to reflect technical pathways. Reactions from unions and educators highlight funding and implementation questions amid a broader debate on youth unemployment and post-16 education.
The government has unveiled proposals to introduce technical subjects for 14-year-old pupils from September 2028, aiming to close gaps between vocational and academic paths. The plan has sparked a national debate about whether Britain overvalues degrees or risks limiting opportunities for those who need it most. Education unions demand more funding and clarity while warning that implementation hinges on investment in schools and staff.
Britain’s plan to replace repeated GCSE resits with Level 1 stepping-stone qualifications is moving forward, with details due. Critics warn of two-tier paths even as Labour pushes skills-focused reform and unions voice concerns about Neet numbers.
The Guardian reports ministers are pursuing an inclusion-led overhaul of SEND in England, with funding and universal support in mainstream schools, while EHCPs may be streamlined by 2030. A Colchester school is cited as a blueprint for broader reform, amid a surge in EHCP applications and funding pressures for local authorities.
PISA 2025 data show England and some UK nations performing well in science, with Reading and Maths trailing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England leads in science; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland trail in reading and maths. A global trend shows declines in reading proficiency, linked to digital distraction and shifting reading habits.