John Roberts
@johngroberts.bsky.social
SEND and inclusion editor at Tes. Dad of 2. SEND parent. [email protected]
SEND area inspection reports show that Long waits for assessments, diagnosis and health services have been repeatedly highlighted for areas found to have systemic failings in special educational needs provision. My analysis for @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted SEND inspections: key failings revealed
Tes analysis highlights the main findings in SEND inspection reports for the areas found to have systemic or widespread failings this year
www.tes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:50 AM
SEND area inspection reports show that Long waits for assessments, diagnosis and health services have been repeatedly highlighted for areas found to have systemic failings in special educational needs provision. My analysis for @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
"To a certain extent, you could say you have a policy and attach it, and it could be blank document"
Big investigation into the LA safeguarding audits all schools have to complete - superb work from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Big investigation into the LA safeguarding audits all schools have to complete - superb work from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Warning over ‘unchecked’ safeguarding audits
Trust leaders tell Tes that the process of submitting safeguarding audits to councils is ‘like marking your own homework’, and putting unnecessary pressure on school staff
www.tes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:27 AM
"To a certain extent, you could say you have a policy and attach it, and it could be blank document"
Big investigation into the LA safeguarding audits all schools have to complete - superb work from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Big investigation into the LA safeguarding audits all schools have to complete - superb work from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
The shortage of support staff in schools is ‘simply unsustainable’, warns @unison.org.uk, with research showing that 3 in 5 staff have fewer colleagues than a year ago
School staff shortages ‘harming pupils’ education and safety’
Support staff union warns that shortages are ‘unsustainable’, with three in five staff reporting having fewer colleagues than a year ago
www.tes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:35 AM
The shortage of support staff in schools is ‘simply unsustainable’, warns @unison.org.uk, with research showing that 3 in 5 staff have fewer colleagues than a year ago
Reposted by John Roberts
“You mark your own homework. It’s not checked.”
Safeguarding leads warn the “onerous” audits that schools have to submit to councils aren’t improving student safety and duplicate work done by trusts.
Is it time to drop them?
Excl by @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
Safeguarding leads warn the “onerous” audits that schools have to submit to councils aren’t improving student safety and duplicate work done by trusts.
Is it time to drop them?
Excl by @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
Warning over ‘unchecked’ safeguarding audits
Trust leaders tell Tes that the process of submitting safeguarding audits to councils is ‘like marking your own homework’, and putting unnecessary pressure on school staff
www.tes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
“You mark your own homework. It’s not checked.”
Safeguarding leads warn the “onerous” audits that schools have to submit to councils aren’t improving student safety and duplicate work done by trusts.
Is it time to drop them?
Excl by @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
Safeguarding leads warn the “onerous” audits that schools have to submit to councils aren’t improving student safety and duplicate work done by trusts.
Is it time to drop them?
Excl by @ktorm-social1.bsky.social
Parent allegations against teachers have risen by a third in just one year, according to data shared exclusively with Tes.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Parent allegations against teachers rise by a third
Research showing an increase in allegations highlights a ‘fraying of relationships’ between families and schools, warns parents’ charity
www.tes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Parent allegations against teachers have risen by a third in just one year, according to data shared exclusively with Tes.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Great breakdown of the SEND funding row - where we are and what experts suggest might happen next from @jabedahmed.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
3 ways government could reform SEND funding, according to IFS
With SEND spending set to be absorbed by central government, the Institute for Fiscal Studies sets out where the money could come from
www.tes.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Great breakdown of the SEND funding row - where we are and what experts suggest might happen next from @jabedahmed.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Long waits for assessments, diagnosis and health services for pupils have been repeatedly highlighted as problems in inspection reports for areas found to have systemic failings in special educational needs provision. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted SEND inspections: key failings revealed
Tes analysis highlights the main findings in SEND inspection reports for the areas found to have systemic or widespread failings this year
www.tes.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Long waits for assessments, diagnosis and health services for pupils have been repeatedly highlighted as problems in inspection reports for areas found to have systemic failings in special educational needs provision. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Ofsted is pausing routine inspections of NPQs, following a request from the education secretary
Ofsted pauses NPQ inspections
Watchdog stops routine inspections of national professional qualifications for 2025-26, at education secretary Bridget Phillipson's request
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Ofsted is pausing routine inspections of NPQs, following a request from the education secretary
Reposted by John Roberts
Slim pickings for schools in today's Budget - and a major cost pressure potentially arising from SEND changes.
Budget 2025: what schools need to know
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget sparks warnings about a real-terms drop in school funding but includes spending on school libraries and books. Here are all the key details for the sector
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Slim pickings for schools in today's Budget - and a major cost pressure potentially arising from SEND changes.
Reposted by John Roberts
EHCPs have been blamed for driving an unsustainable rise in SEND. But would limiting these actually fix the problem, asks @mmulholland.bsky.social
Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?
Education, health and care plans have been blamed for an unsustainable rise in special educational needs in schools, but would scrapping or limiting these plans fix the problem?
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:35 AM
EHCPs have been blamed for driving an unsustainable rise in SEND. But would limiting these actually fix the problem, asks @mmulholland.bsky.social
OBR documents (somehow!) published ahead of the Budget announcement say all SEND provision costs are to fall within DfE spending limits by 2028-29 and warn that if this is fully funded within the core schools budget, this implies a 1.7 per cent fall in mainstream school spending per pupil.
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM
OBR documents (somehow!) published ahead of the Budget announcement say all SEND provision costs are to fall within DfE spending limits by 2028-29 and warn that if this is fully funded within the core schools budget, this implies a 1.7 per cent fall in mainstream school spending per pupil.
Reposted by John Roberts
“The consequences are going to be devastating.”
Ahead of today’s Budget, a council warns it faces a £183 million black hole due to SEND costs, and is having (along with many other LAs) to make “impossible financial decisions”.
By @johngroberts.bsky.social
Ahead of today’s Budget, a council warns it faces a £183 million black hole due to SEND costs, and is having (along with many other LAs) to make “impossible financial decisions”.
By @johngroberts.bsky.social
Debt-hit council urges action on SEND reform
Council leader writes to Bridget Phillipson on eve of the Budget, warning financial crisis is forcing local authorities into ‘impossible decisions’
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:59 AM
“The consequences are going to be devastating.”
Ahead of today’s Budget, a council warns it faces a £183 million black hole due to SEND costs, and is having (along with many other LAs) to make “impossible financial decisions”.
By @johngroberts.bsky.social
Ahead of today’s Budget, a council warns it faces a £183 million black hole due to SEND costs, and is having (along with many other LAs) to make “impossible financial decisions”.
By @johngroberts.bsky.social
Reposted by John Roberts
Breaking: An appeal by @naht.org.uk bidding for a judicial review into Ofsted’s new school inspections has been rejected
Heads’ union loses appeal against Ofsted ruling
The NAHT had appealed against a decision not to grant a judicial review into the launch of new Ofsted school inspections
www.tes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Breaking: An appeal by @naht.org.uk bidding for a judicial review into Ofsted’s new school inspections has been rejected
Breaking: A heads' union has had an appeal rejected in its legal battle against the launch of the new Ofsted inspection framework. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Heads' union loses appeal against Ofsted ruling
The NAHT had appealed against a decision not to grant a judicial review into the launch of new Ofsted school inspections
www.tes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Breaking: A heads' union has had an appeal rejected in its legal battle against the launch of the new Ofsted inspection framework. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE has announced that @nigelgenders.bsky.social will be the new chief schools adjudicator starting in the new year. He is currently the chief education officer of the Church of England and CEO of the National Society for Education - a role he has held for more than 10 years.
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
DfE has announced that @nigelgenders.bsky.social will be the new chief schools adjudicator starting in the new year. He is currently the chief education officer of the Church of England and CEO of the National Society for Education - a role he has held for more than 10 years.
Reposted by John Roberts
📌 With more and more schools joining area-based education partnerships, @ellencph.bsky.social explains what they are and the benefits of joining one, from better support for children to school improvement initiatives
What are area-based education partnerships?
As more schools join these local collaborative groups, Ellen Peirson-Hagger explains how they work and why they matter
www.tes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
📌 With more and more schools joining area-based education partnerships, @ellencph.bsky.social explains what they are and the benefits of joining one, from better support for children to school improvement initiatives
Great analysis from @jabedahmed.bsky.social for @tesmagazine.bsky.social on how the gender pay gap for headteachers varies across the country. tes.com/magazine/new...
How does the headteacher gender pay gap vary across England?
Male secondary heads earn more in every region of England, but the size of the gap is heavily dependent on geography, Tes analysis reveals
tes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Great analysis from @jabedahmed.bsky.social for @tesmagazine.bsky.social on how the gender pay gap for headteachers varies across the country. tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Ahead of the government’s Autumn Budget on Wednesday, @michaelsgreen.bsky.social looks at what schools need from chancellor Rachel Reeves ⬇️
Budget 2025: What schools need from Rachel Reeves
With the chancellor due to deliver her Budget next week, Michael Green recommends four financial priorities that would not only give schools stability but also benefit the wider economy
www.tes.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Ahead of the government’s Autumn Budget on Wednesday, @michaelsgreen.bsky.social looks at what schools need from chancellor Rachel Reeves ⬇️
Reposted by John Roberts
Teachers fear the introduction of a Year 8 reading test will worsen student engagement and narrow the curriculum, an NEU poll shows
Teachers warn Year 8 reading test will ‘sap joy’ from learning
High-stakes tests are piling pressure on to pupils and teachers and government policy risks entrenching an ‘exam factory’ culture, says teachers’ union
www.tes.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Teachers fear the introduction of a Year 8 reading test will worsen student engagement and narrow the curriculum, an NEU poll shows
New DfE survey data reveals striking differences in the opinions of leaders and students about whether pupils follow the rules on using mobile phones in school. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Teachers far more likely than students to say phone rules are followed
Findings from the latest DfE behaviour survey also indicate that leaders, educators and pupils disagree about the extent to which their school is ‘calm and orderly’
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:55 AM
New DfE survey data reveals striking differences in the opinions of leaders and students about whether pupils follow the rules on using mobile phones in school. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Resourced bases are expected to be a key element of the govt's drive for a more inclusive mainstream school system but some leaders have warned they can actually result in "exclusion in its worst sense." www.tes.com/magazine/new...
SEND: Resource bases ‘can be exclusion in its worst sense’
Mainstream and AP leaders question the government’s focus on resourced provision and SEN units in its drive to create a more inclusive school system
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Resourced bases are expected to be a key element of the govt's drive for a more inclusive mainstream school system but some leaders have warned they can actually result in "exclusion in its worst sense." www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Schools already have the ability to cut exam times by switching exam boards, says Ofqual chief Sir Ian Bauckham in response to the curriculum and assessment review
Ofqual chief: Schools can already cut exam times
Choosing between exam boards enables schools to reduce exam times to a degree 'not all that different' to that envisaged by the Francis review, says Sir Ian Bauckham
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Schools already have the ability to cut exam times by switching exam boards, says Ofqual chief Sir Ian Bauckham in response to the curriculum and assessment review
Nearly one in three primary school headteachers under 50 is leaving their role within five years of taking up the post, according to analysis published today. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Many ‘overwhelmed’ headteachers leave role within five years
Some 30 per cent of primary heads and 38 per cent of secondary leaders under 50 are leaving their posts within five years, analysis by the NAHT shows
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Nearly one in three primary school headteachers under 50 is leaving their role within five years of taking up the post, according to analysis published today. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by John Roberts
Teachers on mat leave get 22 weeks less full pay than many other public sector workers - including DfE officials.
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Why do teachers get such a bad deal on maternity pay?
With women making up the vast majority of the workforce, could better maternity leave pay help tackle the teacher retention crisis?
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Teachers on mat leave get 22 weeks less full pay than many other public sector workers - including DfE officials.
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The government is in danger of overlooking the importance of what is taught in special schools and needs to focus more on students who cannot access the national curriculum, special-school leaders have warned. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Special schools fear being an ‘afterthought’ on curriculum
In response to the curriculum review, leaders in the specialist sector urge the DfE to focus more on what is taught in special schools and how best practice can be shared
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
The government is in danger of overlooking the importance of what is taught in special schools and needs to focus more on students who cannot access the national curriculum, special-school leaders have warned. www.tes.com/magazine/new...