Freddie Whittaker
@fcdwhittaker.bsky.social
School Week’s deputy and political editor. Organiser of Hack Drinks. Education, politics, sad indie, the final frontier
DfE has responded to the OBR, saying it's 'incorrect' to say pressure may be absorbed by schools budget
'We are clear that any deficit will be absorbed within the overall government budget. These projections also do not account for the much-needed SEND reforms'
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-f...
'We are clear that any deficit will be absorbed within the overall government budget. These projections also do not account for the much-needed SEND reforms'
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-f...
Government faces £6bn SEND shortfall once override ends
Spending watchdog warns 'no savings have been identified' to offset pressure on government coffers
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
DfE has responded to the OBR, saying it's 'incorrect' to say pressure may be absorbed by schools budget
'We are clear that any deficit will be absorbed within the overall government budget. These projections also do not account for the much-needed SEND reforms'
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-f...
'We are clear that any deficit will be absorbed within the overall government budget. These projections also do not account for the much-needed SEND reforms'
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-f...
Finally got to the bottom of a confusing set of budget documents and OBR forecasts
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
Government plans to absorb the spiraling cost of SEND provision within central budgets will leave it facing a £6 billion annual shortfall, with no savings yet identified to meet it, the spending watchdog has warned
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-faces-6bn-send-shortfall-once-override-ends/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-faces-6bn-send-shortfall-once-override-ends/
Government faces £6bn SEND shortfall once override ends
Spending watchdog warns 'no savings have been identified' to offset pressure on government coffers
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Finally got to the bottom of a confusing set of budget documents and OBR forecasts
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
- Once override ends in 2028, govt takes on burden of rising SEND costs
- OBR estimates £6.3bn pressure in year 1
- Govt has set out no plans to meet it, nor on whether existing deficits (to hit £14bn) will be wiped
This is bizarre. Lots about changes to how SEND is funded in the OBR document that was published early by mistake, but Reeves doesn't mention it in speech and it appears absent from Treasury's main budget document
November 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This is bizarre. Lots about changes to how SEND is funded in the OBR document that was published early by mistake, but Reeves doesn't mention it in speech and it appears absent from Treasury's main budget document
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
Basically it looks like the Government is going to take on the whole cost of the SEND system to spare any additional pain for local authorities, but that doesn't mean local authorities are out of the woods yet....
cc @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social @eleanorrrlouise.bsky.social @avneem.bsky.social
cc @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social @eleanorrrlouise.bsky.social @avneem.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
Document now deleted by the OBR intern, have reuploaded the PDF here: smallpdf.com/share-docume...
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Document now deleted by the OBR intern, have reuploaded the PDF here: smallpdf.com/share-docume...
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Breaking: Leaked OBR document states government will fund full cost of SEND provision from within central government departmental spending from 2028 - not clear if this means wiping the existing council deficits
I’m pretty sure they only added the Liz line services to the departure board at Paddington so it doesn’t just show ‘cancelled’ next to every train all the time
November 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I’m pretty sure they only added the Liz line services to the departure board at Paddington so it doesn’t just show ‘cancelled’ next to every train all the time
Some very worrying stats here. Serious questions for government and Capita about why it is taking so long to process remedy statements stemming from the McCloud judgment. Can’t imagine the anguish of already-retired teachers and leaders waiting for missing money
Exclusive: Thousands of retired teachers and leaders potentially entitled to better pensions following the landmark McCloud ruling have died before even receiving statements outlining what they could receive
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/thousands-of-retired-teachers-die-before-pensions-row-settled/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/thousands-of-retired-teachers-die-before-pensions-row-settled/
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Some very worrying stats here. Serious questions for government and Capita about why it is taking so long to process remedy statements stemming from the McCloud judgment. Can’t imagine the anguish of already-retired teachers and leaders waiting for missing money
Everything schools need to know about the curriculum review final report, right here...
❗ Curriculum review proposals revealed
New curriculum in 2028: schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Proposals round-up: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Subject reccs: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Q&A with Becky Francis: schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
New curriculum in 2028: schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Proposals round-up: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Subject reccs: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Q&A with Becky Francis: schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
New curriculum to be introduced in 2028 as review published
Government commits to scrap the EBacc and make citizenship compulsory in primary schools
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Everything schools need to know about the curriculum review final report, right here...
This is going down like a lead balloon among teaching unions...
Breaking: Teacher pay should rise by 6.5 per cent over the next three years, government has said in its evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-suggests-6-5-teacher-pay-rise-but-over-three-years/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-suggests-6-5-teacher-pay-rise-but-over-three-years/
Teacher pay: DfE suggests 6.5% rise - but over three years
Department publishes its evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This is going down like a lead balloon among teaching unions...
Teachers will use 'deepfake' technology to create an AI avatar of themselves to deliver catch-up lessons for pupils who have missed school
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-trus...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-trus...
'Deepfake' teacher avatars to help pupils catch up
Academy trust staff to use AI generator to introduce resources for pupils returning to school
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Teachers will use 'deepfake' technology to create an AI avatar of themselves to deliver catch-up lessons for pupils who have missed school
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-trus...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-trus...
Laura Trott now in conversation with former education secretary Michael Gove. He says she has second best job in history in politics (education secretary is best, he says). First question is about behaviour
October 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Laura Trott now in conversation with former education secretary Michael Gove. He says she has second best job in history in politics (education secretary is best, he says). First question is about behaviour
This is incredibly short-sighted. When the Conservative government slashed bursaries following the brief Covid-related boom in recruitment, subjects with the largest reduction in bursaries attracted the fewest trainees the following year
schoolsweek.co.uk/ministers-bu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ministers-bu...
October 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This is incredibly short-sighted. When the Conservative government slashed bursaries following the brief Covid-related boom in recruitment, subjects with the largest reduction in bursaries attracted the fewest trainees the following year
schoolsweek.co.uk/ministers-bu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ministers-bu...
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott is about to address Conservative Party conference
Her session begins with a video showing her clashing with education ministers over the schools bill and criticism from Baroness Spielman and Labour MP Siobhan McDonagh
Her session begins with a video showing her clashing with education ministers over the schools bill and criticism from Baroness Spielman and Labour MP Siobhan McDonagh
October 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott is about to address Conservative Party conference
Her session begins with a video showing her clashing with education ministers over the schools bill and criticism from Baroness Spielman and Labour MP Siobhan McDonagh
Her session begins with a video showing her clashing with education ministers over the schools bill and criticism from Baroness Spielman and Labour MP Siobhan McDonagh
Some promising findings here from a pilot that trained up primary school teachers to deliver careers education. A version of that CPD is now going to be made available to all primary schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupils-horiz...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupils-horiz...
Pupils' horizons 'broadened' after careers training pilot
CPD offered to all primary teachers after report finds children less held back by gender stereotypes
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Some promising findings here from a pilot that trained up primary school teachers to deliver careers education. A version of that CPD is now going to be made available to all primary schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupils-horiz...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupils-horiz...
Interesting @teachertapp.bsky.social polling on year 8 reading check plan revealed in last week's @schoolsweek.bsky.social
Teachers overall more likely to support than oppose, but leaders much less convinced
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8-readi...
Teachers overall more likely to support than oppose, but leaders much less convinced
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8-readi...
Year 8 reading test plan splits teachers and heads
More teachers back government plan than oppose it, but leaders are far more sceptical
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Interesting @teachertapp.bsky.social polling on year 8 reading check plan revealed in last week's @schoolsweek.bsky.social
Teachers overall more likely to support than oppose, but leaders much less convinced
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8-readi...
Teachers overall more likely to support than oppose, but leaders much less convinced
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8-readi...
Education secretary @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social being interviewed at packed @csjthinktank.bsky.social and Parentkind fringe here at #lab2025
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Education secretary @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social being interviewed at packed @csjthinktank.bsky.social and Parentkind fringe here at #lab2025
'What was incredible was the enormous generosity of the teachers and the leaders that we met, who were so open and honest about ‘look, this worked. This wasn’t great. If we did it again, we’d probably look at this’, warts and all'
After visiting English trusts to hear ‘warts and all’ accounts of academisation, Tasmania is launching its own version to boost stubbornly weak outcomes
The state's education minister spoke to Schools Week for this week's feature
schoolsweek.co.uk/gday-mat-aca...
The state's education minister spoke to Schools Week for this week's feature
schoolsweek.co.uk/gday-mat-aca...
G’day MAT: Academy reforms go down under
Tasmania is reforming its school system based on England's academies programme
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:46 AM
'What was incredible was the enormous generosity of the teachers and the leaders that we met, who were so open and honest about ‘look, this worked. This wasn’t great. If we did it again, we’d probably look at this’, warts and all'
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
Scoop: Mandatory reading test for year 8s (age 13) incoming in the schools white paper, due out this autumn
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
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
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...
White paper to usher in year 8 reading test
Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Scoop: Mandatory reading test for year 8s (age 13) incoming in the schools white paper, due out this autumn
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
Edition 405, sneak peek:
Scoop: Labour's white paper to introduce mandatory year 8 reading test
Watchdog sides with school in fair banding row
Long-read: Ofsted chief slams schools over 'tech tax'
An inside look on how SEND reforms are shaping up
Scoop: Labour's white paper to introduce mandatory year 8 reading test
Watchdog sides with school in fair banding row
Long-read: Ofsted chief slams schools over 'tech tax'
An inside look on how SEND reforms are shaping up
September 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Edition 405, sneak peek:
Scoop: Labour's white paper to introduce mandatory year 8 reading test
Watchdog sides with school in fair banding row
Long-read: Ofsted chief slams schools over 'tech tax'
An inside look on how SEND reforms are shaping up
Scoop: Labour's white paper to introduce mandatory year 8 reading test
Watchdog sides with school in fair banding row
Long-read: Ofsted chief slams schools over 'tech tax'
An inside look on how SEND reforms are shaping up
Scoop: Mandatory reading test for year 8s (age 13) incoming in the schools white paper, due out this autumn
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
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
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...
White paper to usher in year 8 reading test
Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Scoop: Mandatory reading test for year 8s (age 13) incoming in the schools white paper, due out this autumn
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
Exclusive: The leadership of the NAHT is considering whether to ballot members for industrial action over Ofsted reforms
Comes after snap poll of 2,000 members at an emergency meeting on Tuesday found 89% supported exploring industrial options
schoolsweek.co.uk/naht-to-cons...
Comes after snap poll of 2,000 members at an emergency meeting on Tuesday found 89% supported exploring industrial options
schoolsweek.co.uk/naht-to-cons...
NAHT to consider industrial action ballot over Ofsted reform
Snap poll during meeting of 2,000 heads finds 9 in 10 back exploring industrial options
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Exclusive: The leadership of the NAHT is considering whether to ballot members for industrial action over Ofsted reforms
Comes after snap poll of 2,000 members at an emergency meeting on Tuesday found 89% supported exploring industrial options
schoolsweek.co.uk/naht-to-cons...
Comes after snap poll of 2,000 members at an emergency meeting on Tuesday found 89% supported exploring industrial options
schoolsweek.co.uk/naht-to-cons...
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
Which, of course, does not rule out the possibility of (a) restricting what 'support' is available, or (b) restricting how many children can access the support.
The voices of children, their families and teachers will be 'at the forefront' of SEND reforms, the new education minister has said, as she promised 'there will always be a legal right to additional support'
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
Gould: Teacher and pupil voice 'at forefront' of SEND reform
New minister also confirms 'there will always be a legal right to additional support' amid SEND backlash
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Which, of course, does not rule out the possibility of (a) restricting what 'support' is available, or (b) restricting how many children can access the support.
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
This form of words first emerged from DfE in mid-July; it's a slight dilution on an previous line, and obviously it's not a pledge to maintain children's current legal rights
The voices of children, their families and teachers will be 'at the forefront' of SEND reforms, the new education minister has said, as she promised 'there will always be a legal right to additional support'
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
Gould: Teacher and pupil voice 'at forefront' of SEND reform
New minister also confirms 'there will always be a legal right to additional support' amid SEND backlash
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 8:11 PM
This form of words first emerged from DfE in mid-July; it's a slight dilution on an previous line, and obviously it's not a pledge to maintain children's current legal rights
Reposted by Freddie Whittaker
The voices of children, their families and teachers will be 'at the forefront' of SEND reforms, the new education minister has said, as she promised 'there will always be a legal right to additional support'
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
Gould: Teacher and pupil voice 'at forefront' of SEND reform
New minister also confirms 'there will always be a legal right to additional support' amid SEND backlash
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The voices of children, their families and teachers will be 'at the forefront' of SEND reforms, the new education minister has said, as she promised 'there will always be a legal right to additional support'
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-minister...