Experienced SENCo Lynn How introduces practical, evidence-informed activities to support children with SEMH needs A new professional resource for primary educators aims to make emotional regulation more accessible, engaging and practical for children through a cast of relatable characters known as the “Feelings Furballs”. In The Feelings Furballs: Emotional Regulation Activities and Ideas for the…
Doodle Learning by Discovery Education is supporting teachers, pupils and families on National Numeracy Day with a range of engaging maths programmes designed to build confidence and strengthen numeracy skills all year round. Taking place on 20th May 2026, National Numeracy Day aims to help children and adults feel more positive about maths and more…
Nearly 60,000 teachers have opted out of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme over six years to February 2026 The latest Department of Education data shows that annual opt-outs have nearly doubled since 2020, with women accounting for nearly two-thirds of withdrawals A third (33%) of all opt-outs are teachers aged 21-30, with September seeing consistent annual…
When The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester was named a winner of Howden’s Pupil Wellbeing Prize 2025, it wasn’t just a moment of celebration, it was an opportunity to make an immediate, lasting difference. The school received £6,000, recognising its deep‑rooted commitment to inclusion, emotional wellbeing and placing pupils first. The funding has already…
For many young people, mathematics is still too often experienced only in the classroom. But for renowned science writer and broadcaster Simon Singh MBE, the case for curiosity-led learning extends well beyond this. At the newly-opened MathsWorld London, mathematics is presented differently: as something to touch, test, question and play with. This was on display…
75% of UK parents with school-age children agree that playing sport at school can improve numeracy skills Football, tennis, cricket and basketball considered the best typical school sports for improving numeracy skills Sports such as darts and snooker are considered the most effective sports for improving numeracy skills, outperforming even those traditionally included in school…
New Samsung research reveals over 200,000* UK teens aged 14 to 18 already identify as founders – with 15% building businesses specifically to solve real-world problems Yet 90% of UK teens say they face barriers to growing or starting their own venture – highlighting the critical role schools and teachers play in turning ambition into…
Samsung Electronics has announced the winners of its sixth annual Solve for Tomorrow competition, celebrating the most inspiring tech-for-good ideas from students aged 11 to 18 across the UK and Ireland. Now in its sixth year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has reached over 339,426 young people and a third of all secondary schools across the…
(And how to avoid them) By Andy Clews, Senior Consultant – Water Hygiene Centre In this blog we share some experiences of situations that can increase the risk of Legionella bacteria growth and what could have been done to prevent them. Introduction – Why controlling Legionella bacteria in education matters. Has you or your organisation ever…
For the first time young people on HMRC’s Supported Internship programme offered opportunities across civil service. New partnership with HM Courts and Tribunal Service means young people with special educational needs in Liverpool have access to wider workplace learning. HMRC Supported Internship programme provides young people with special educational needs workplace experience in Liverpool, Manchester…
With the Premier League season drawing to a close later this month, football is once again dominating playground conversations. But for many schools, the moment is about more than just match results – it’s an opportunity to address some deeper challenges around inclusion, confidence and participation in sport. Despite significant progress in recent years, barriers…
– New research report demonstrates positive impact of youth theatre as Connections participants report positive mental wellbeing significantly above national averages – Eight new plays will premiere at the Connections Festival at Lowry in Salford, performed by youth groups from across the UK – Six new plays written by teenagers to be platformed at the…
Strong relationships with school staff and a sense of belonging at school can protect teenagers’ mental wellbeing and help reduce absences, according to new findings from The University of Manchester’s #BeeWell programme. The large-scale study shows that while poor mental health can drive disengagement from school, positive day-to-day school experiences play a critical role in protecting…
Demand for The Litmus Partnership’s Verify service has grown by nearly 15% over the past 12 months, while the service has helped recover £202,310 for clients – a 56% increase on the previous year’s figure of £129,562 – as more schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) seek greater visibility over the performance and cost of their…
‘This is not the answer for SEND’ – expert response to government White Paper New research and report questions digital, pre-determined approach in “potentially traumatic” proposed government reforms A new report questions the use of automated tiered systems in the government’s proposed SEND education reforms as well as its focus on mainstream achievement over individual…
Nine in 10 respondents to a survey of school and trust leaders representing more than half a million pupils in England believe the government’s proposed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms will add to their workload. Some 76% of those who took part in UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson’s spring 2026 School…
European Study Tours has rebranded as Esto, unveiling a bold new identity designed to reflect growing demand from schools and teachers for more personalised, curriculum-linked and meaningful educational travel experiences. The specialist educational travel company is entering a new chapter in its 40-year history with a fresh name, new brand identity and renewed…
Specialist Classrooms ‘Not Keeping Up’ with Pace of SEND Demand in the UK A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by modular school building solutions provider Portakabin has suggested that while Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) demand is increasing rapidly across the UK, specialist classrooms are not being delivered throughout the nation at the…
Across many multi-academy trusts, leaders continue to explore how writing assessment can be interpreted and applied more consistently between schools. Schools may be working from the same assessment frameworks and, of course, the same statutory assessment criteria. However, shared criteria alone do not automatically create shared understanding. Writing assessment depends heavily on professional judgement, and…
Talking about mental health in primary classrooms can feel daunting. Teachers know these conversations matter – but finding age‑appropriate, practical ways to start them isn’t always straightforward. As Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May) approaches, Premier League recommends turning to an unexpected ally: football. Through Premier League Primary Stars, teachers can use a suite of…
Pupils in England have answered more than 15.5 million times tables questions and played over 850,000 practice games in the past 12 months, as schools prepare for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) this June. The data, drawn from 39,214 pupils in over 1,000 English schools, highlights the growing focus on times tables…
Mounting pressure on schools and teachers to continue delivering a high-quality education amid reduced resources is raising concerns about their ability to deliver effective change. A new report from Commercial Services Group, based on responses from 500 school leaders and teachers, and 500 parents in England, found 89% of parents remain happy with their child’s education and…
Big-screen special effects experts lend their cutting-edge skills to help teach school children about rail safety Each week, 77 children put themselves at risk of harm on Britain’s railway Schools are getting innovative new hard-hitting films ahead of rail safety becoming a compulsory part of the national curriculum later this year. Production techniques more commonly seen on the big screen are…
People are quietly second-guessing how to spell some of the nation’s most familiar words, with new data revealing the ones double-checked the most. From everyday favourites to famously tricky spellings, the latest figures lift the lid on the words prompting thousands to turn to Google for quick confirmation. Kelvinside Academy analysed search data to uncover the words most commonly looked up after…
EdTech charity LGfL – The National Grid for Learning – winner of the ERA Awards Supplier of the Year – Best Not for Profit 2026 – has launched an enhanced National Free School Meal (FSM) Eligibility Checker to break down the digital and administrative barriers that prevent hundreds of thousands of eligible children from accessing…
