Cerys Turner
@cerysturner.bsky.social
News reporter at Tes
Covering Ofsted, curriculum, teacher training & AI
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
Covering Ofsted, curriculum, teacher training & AI
✍🏻 The Times, Big Issue, Metro
(Pronounced like the Welsh singer, not the colour)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/cerys-turner
💷 In 2021-22, the DfE spent £13k on social media influencer marketing - so far this financial year, it’s spent a whopping £204k+.
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
15-fold increase in DfE influencer spend since 2022
Exclusive data obtained by Tes shows the Department for Education spent more than £200,000 on influencer marketing from April to October this year
www.tes.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
💷 In 2021-22, the DfE spent £13k on social media influencer marketing - so far this financial year, it’s spent a whopping £204k+.
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@pepediiasio.bsky.social said the govt should exercise discipline with its spending given it is “starving” schools of vital funding.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The DfE expects schools to meet enrichment benchmarks next yr, with no additional funding.
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Extra enrichment isn’t possible, teachers warn
The DfE is introducing enrichment benchmarks to push schools to deliver more extracurricular clubs - but research shows that teachers are already working unpaid and out of hours to deliver such activi...
www.tes.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The DfE expects schools to meet enrichment benchmarks next yr, with no additional funding.
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
But more than half of teachers would not run a lunch or afterschool club w/o pay. Another thing schools will have to fund via their own budgets, presumably?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
DfE sets schools AI-powered attendance targets
Headteachers’ leaders dismiss new attendance baseline improvement targets as a Whitehall diktat
www.tes.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
DfE sets schools AI-powered attendance targets
Headteachers’ leaders dismiss new attendance baseline improvement targets as a Whitehall diktat
www.tes.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The government is launching AI-powered attendance targets for every school, as part of efforts to return to pre-Covid levels of attendance.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
But @ascl-uk.bsky.social has warned that it is another “diktat dreamt up in Whitehall” & not the solution for the absence crisis.
It’s the first day of (volunteer) Ofsted inspections today, but leaders have been told about changes to how the watchdog uses performance data just days before.
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
‘Major concerns’ over Ofsted data changes
Schools that volunteered to be first for new inspections should be allowed to withdraw because of changes announced by Ofsted just days before the new system begins, say heads’ leaders
www.tes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:58 AM
It’s the first day of (volunteer) Ofsted inspections today, but leaders have been told about changes to how the watchdog uses performance data just days before.
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@ascl-uk.bsky.social say it’s reason enough for volunteer schools to pull out entirely.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Excl: Diversity and anti-racism should be embedded into teacher training, according to an open letter from ITT providers.
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Embed diversity and antiracism into teacher training, DfE told
Teacher training providers also call on government to set up a national body for early career and trainee teachers
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Excl: Diversity and anti-racism should be embedded into teacher training, according to an open letter from ITT providers.
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
There should be an "explicit focus” on addressing inequalities within ITT programmes, including in trainees’ reflective tasks.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The new GCSE in AI could quickly become out of date, the chief of England’s largest exam board has warned.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
AI qualification at risk of rapid obsolescence, warns exam chief
In an exclusive interview, AQA chief Colin Hughes warns that an AI qualification stemming from this week’s curriculum and assessment review may not have a long-term future
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The new GCSE in AI could quickly become out of date, the chief of England’s largest exam board has warned.
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Exclusive by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Plus more on the role that @oaknational.bsky.social is expected to play.
The DfE has rejected some of the curriculum and assessment review recommendations – @cerysturner.bsky.social looks at what has been dismissed or only partially accepted
Francis review: the recommendations rejected by government
The DfE wants full rather than phased implementation of curriculum reform - from 2028 - and puts the brakes on inclusion of RE in the national curriculum
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Plus more on the role that @oaknational.bsky.social is expected to play.
One of the most significant changes from the govt’s curriculum reforms this week - and interestingly, one where they diverged from the Francis’ review recommendations.
As part of its response to the curriculum review, the government has outlined its intention to overhaul Progress 8. How is it proposing the performance measure should change?
@tesmagazine.bsky.social explains:
@tesmagazine.bsky.social explains:
Progress 8 reform: what are the government’s plans?
As part of its response to the curriculum review, the government has outlined its intention to overhaul the performance measure. Tes has all you need to know
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 AM
One of the most significant changes from the govt’s curriculum reforms this week - and interestingly, one where they diverged from the Francis’ review recommendations.
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Really interesting recommendations from the curriculum and assessment review in England - @cerysturner.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Really interesting recommendations from the curriculum and assessment review in England - @cerysturner.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Reposted by Cerys Turner
The much anticipated curriculum and assessment review is out. The EBacc is to be scrapped, and it calls for a new year 8 English test and an entitlement to triple science for all. Great piece rounding it all up here by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The much anticipated curriculum and assessment review is out. The EBacc is to be scrapped, and it calls for a new year 8 English test and an entitlement to triple science for all. Great piece rounding it all up here by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Prof Francis tells @Helen-Amass.bsky.social that the curric review & DfE's policy clash is a "slightly confusing coincidence".
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Becky Francis: How we reached our curriculum recommendations
In an exclusive interview, curriculum and assessment review lead Becky Francis speaks to Tes about its recommendations and the evidence underpinning them
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Prof Francis tells @Helen-Amass.bsky.social that the curric review & DfE's policy clash is a "slightly confusing coincidence".
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
The review suggests a different Year 8 English test to the one the government announced just weeks ago.
Some odd policy alignment...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by Cerys Turner
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🚨The govt will scrap the EBacc, cut GCSE exam time by up to three hours & make sure every school meets "enrichment benchmarks".
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
Here are all the key proposals from the curriculum and assessment review, plus which reforms the government has accepted so far:
A legal claim against Ofsted's new inspection framework has been thrown out by the courts today.
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Union’s legal challenge of new Ofsted inspections rejected
The NAHT’s bid for a High Court challenge over new Ofsted framework was heard just a week before inspections are due to start
www.tes.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A legal claim against Ofsted's new inspection framework has been thrown out by the courts today.
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@naht.org.uk say they will consult members about industrial action & are considering appealing the verdict.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Lots more to unpick with the DfE’s multi-year pay recommendation.
➡️ Scope for bonuses
➡️ Update on the 6,500 teachers pledge
➡️ + How the govt justify the 6.5% award
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
➡️ Scope for bonuses
➡️ Update on the 6,500 teachers pledge
➡️ + How the govt justify the 6.5% award
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Multi-year pay recommendation: all you need to know
The government has proposed that teachers get a 6.5 per cent pay award over the next three years. Tes sets out all the key information about the DfE’s provisional offer
www.tes.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Lots more to unpick with the DfE’s multi-year pay recommendation.
➡️ Scope for bonuses
➡️ Update on the 6,500 teachers pledge
➡️ + How the govt justify the 6.5% award
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
➡️ Scope for bonuses
➡️ Update on the 6,500 teachers pledge
➡️ + How the govt justify the 6.5% award
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Can you define what persistent disruptive behaviour means in the classroom? The government hasn't, despite it being the reason for 4 in 10 permanent exclusions.
Leaders tell @johngroberts.bsky.social that it is being applied inconsistently and too often by schools:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Leaders tell @johngroberts.bsky.social that it is being applied inconsistently and too often by schools:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE urged to probe ‘persistent disruptive behaviour’ exclusions
Some pupils are being wrongly excluded from school because this vague ‘catch-all’ category is creating inconsistency in the system, warn PRU and AP leaders
www.tes.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Can you define what persistent disruptive behaviour means in the classroom? The government hasn't, despite it being the reason for 4 in 10 permanent exclusions.
Leaders tell @johngroberts.bsky.social that it is being applied inconsistently and too often by schools:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Leaders tell @johngroberts.bsky.social that it is being applied inconsistently and too often by schools:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Schools will need to find savings from their budgets to deliver the pay award, according to the DfE’s pay review submission.
Leaders will need to be “proactive” about making the most of their budgets to achieve this (in case they weren’t already…)
Leaders will need to be “proactive” about making the most of their budgets to achieve this (in case they weren’t already…)
October 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Schools will need to find savings from their budgets to deliver the pay award, according to the DfE’s pay review submission.
Leaders will need to be “proactive” about making the most of their budgets to achieve this (in case they weren’t already…)
Leaders will need to be “proactive” about making the most of their budgets to achieve this (in case they weren’t already…)
🚨The govt has recommended a 6.5% teacher pay rise across three years.
Unions are not happy - @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social has called it a "real terms pay cut" & @nasuwt-official.bsky.social has warned that it will "exacerbate the recruitment and retention crisis".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Unions are not happy - @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social has called it a "real terms pay cut" & @nasuwt-official.bsky.social has warned that it will "exacerbate the recruitment and retention crisis".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE: Teachers should get 6.5% pay rise over three years
The government has told the School Teachers’ Review Body how much teachers should receive up to 2029
www.tes.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
🚨The govt has recommended a 6.5% teacher pay rise across three years.
Unions are not happy - @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social has called it a "real terms pay cut" & @nasuwt-official.bsky.social has warned that it will "exacerbate the recruitment and retention crisis".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Unions are not happy - @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social has called it a "real terms pay cut" & @nasuwt-official.bsky.social has warned that it will "exacerbate the recruitment and retention crisis".
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
I hear this is out imminently, and it’s not going to land well… 👀
💷 The DfE has missed a key deadline in its multi year pay review.
Unions have warned that this could undermine the entire teacher pay process, with 2 years of pay recommendations due by February.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Unions have warned that this could undermine the entire teacher pay process, with 2 years of pay recommendations due by February.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE misses key teacher pay review deadline
Teacher pay review process ‘undermined’ by the government’s late submission of evidence, warn unions
www.tes.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I hear this is out imminently, and it’s not going to land well… 👀
Reposted by Cerys Turner
Perhaps editors and columnists on >£150k pa who complain about crime, white working class boys falling behind, etc could each personally contribute that 13% for one such excellent teacher, with no say in or knowledge of which one.
Secondary teachers would need a 13% avg salary increase to consider working in the most disadvantaged schools, according to @theeef.bsky.social
Raising salaries was also found to be a more effective way of boosting teacher recruitment than other incentives:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Raising salaries was also found to be a more effective way of boosting teacher recruitment than other incentives:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Teachers seek 13% more pay to work in the most disadvantaged schools
Increasing salaries is the most effective way to improve teacher recruitment, according to EEF research looking at what schools can offer to attract staff
www.tes.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Perhaps editors and columnists on >£150k pa who complain about crime, white working class boys falling behind, etc could each personally contribute that 13% for one such excellent teacher, with no say in or knowledge of which one.
Secondary teachers would need a 13% avg salary increase to consider working in the most disadvantaged schools, according to @theeef.bsky.social
Raising salaries was also found to be a more effective way of boosting teacher recruitment than other incentives:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Raising salaries was also found to be a more effective way of boosting teacher recruitment than other incentives:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Teachers seek 13% more pay to work in the most disadvantaged schools
Increasing salaries is the most effective way to improve teacher recruitment, according to EEF research looking at what schools can offer to attract staff
www.tes.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Secondary teachers would need a 13% avg salary increase to consider working in the most disadvantaged schools, according to @theeef.bsky.social
Raising salaries was also found to be a more effective way of boosting teacher recruitment than other incentives:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Raising salaries was also found to be a more effective way of boosting teacher recruitment than other incentives:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
💷 The DfE has missed a key deadline in its multi year pay review.
Unions have warned that this could undermine the entire teacher pay process, with 2 years of pay recommendations due by February.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Unions have warned that this could undermine the entire teacher pay process, with 2 years of pay recommendations due by February.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE misses key teacher pay review deadline
Teacher pay review process ‘undermined’ by the government’s late submission of evidence, warn unions
www.tes.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:12 AM
💷 The DfE has missed a key deadline in its multi year pay review.
Unions have warned that this could undermine the entire teacher pay process, with 2 years of pay recommendations due by February.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Unions have warned that this could undermine the entire teacher pay process, with 2 years of pay recommendations due by February.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...