Ian Stokes

Very disappointing and unprincipled

Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash

In case you missed it: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-income-data-to-replace-free-school-meals-as-trigger-for-disadvantage-funding/

Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26

Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/

'Peter Mandelson's Fixing of Keir Starmer’s Visit to Spytech Firm Palantir Raises Serious Questions' Palantir was represented by a lobbying firm founded by Mandelson, Iain Overton and Max Colbert report

If Mandelson is being investigated for his Epstein connections, he must also be investigated for his Thiel connections, because they ran a joint fund when Mandelson fixed Starmer's visit to Palantir
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...

Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.

Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash

Exclusive: Family income data is to replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said

schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...

School leaders are still facing problems with the government’s AI-generated attendance reports, despite them being re-issued after errors – as a government leader cautions 'no model is perfect'
schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-stil...

Schools grading themselves is 'almost impossible', heads warn Ofsted Ofsted's expectation that schools provide a graded self-evaluation using its new five-point scale has sparked warnings from heads' leaders

Exclusive: Ofsted's demand that schools provide graded self-evaluations will add to the stress staff face around inspection, heads' leaders warn

Tel Aviv football derby cancelled as 'violent riots' see nine arrested Police said dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, injuring 12 civilians and three police officers.

I am outraged that apparently jews are not welcome at football matches in Tel Aviv (am I doing this right?)

news.sky.com/story/tel-av...

Some impressive cognitive dissonance being displayed by DfE here:
"Ban smart phones in schools"
*and*
"encourage schools to use AI tutors for students"

🤷 Those numbers would match the current figures for Y1 Phonics "Working at" national attainment, but that's not watch she's said.
I think Bridget needs to check the numeracy skills of her advisors, instead of giving schools a hard time over literacy!

90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN.
Maybe they should have a 'laser focus' on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?

90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN.
Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?

90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN.
Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?

To be clear, the average reading age in the UK is 9 years old.

A 'locality clusters' funding model is being considered as part of government reforms to the special needs system, but what is it, and what are the benefits and risks?

Schools Week investigates…

Disadvantaged pupils see drop in phonics results And overall progress since the pandemic has plateaued

Progress in returning to pre-pandemic phonics test results has stifled this year, while gaps widen for SEN and disadvantaged pupils

⚖️ 'Done right, this could finally give school leaders, inspectors and parents a tool that truly reflects the reality of teaching and learning across diverse communities'

@yorkshire-steve.bsky.social

The People v Leeds Bradford Airport – the conflict continues Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now

Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now

By Nick Hodgkinson

Our payment is still showing up as pending in our banking app and we haven't received an email from you yet, do you know what's going on??

White paper to usher in year 8 reading test Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum

Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school

Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests Proposal aims to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children and improve schools’ focus on reading Pupils at state schools in England will face new reading tests in an attempt to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children. The government’s forthcoming white paper on schools is to include a new test of reading ability for pupils in year 8, aged 12 or 13, in an effort to encourage secondary schools to improve their teaching. Continue reading...

Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests

www.economist.com/graphic-deta...

DWP will take over apprenticeships policy, minister confirms Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships will give "bigger emphasis on skills", Jacqui Smith claims

🚨Breaking: Apprenticeships will shift to the Department for Work and Pensions in the Whitehall skills policy shakeup, Jacqui Smith confirms

feweek.co.uk/dwp-will-tak...

Exclusive: Ofsted is refusing to publish consultation data showing how many people opposed its new report card inspections, despite pledging transparency over the high-profile reforms

schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-refus...

MIS outage leaves schools in the lurch Major supplier apologises as schools unable to pay suppliers and respond to safeguarding concerns

🖥️ Exclusive: A management information system (MIS) outage at a major supplier has left schools unable to pay suppliers, run after-school clubs and respond to safeguarding concerns

Hmmm. "I knew exactly what it was going to be about" ...and... "when you think you already know something"

Maybe try reading the book before you review it?

Matt 5:7 "First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

My super-talented friend, former colleague (and former student!) Adam Gillett has just published his first book, focusing on “nurture the wellbeing of staff to retain valuable educators and create positive learning environments, ensure academic success and address student needs.”

amzn.eu/d/dMKlJBK

The Telegraph Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence [Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday] Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent 29 August 2025 8:57am BST

The Telegraph Money > Property > Second homes How to avoid tax on your second home From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net [Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto] Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer 29 August 2025 1:21pm BST

On the same day in the Telegraph:

DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development - FFT Education Datalab We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of the percentage of pupils reaching a good level of development (GLD) at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

NEW POST: DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development

We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of pupils reaching a good level of development.

vist.ly/45k4m