Lydia Chantler-Hicks

London

Senior Reporter at Schools Week

News reporter @standardnews | Email [email protected]

Articles

Neurodiversity support scheme extended but with less funding

1 week ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

DfE extends neurodiversity support scheme, but with less funding Programme that trains teachers to better identify needs extended into 2025-26 with £9.5m Programme that trains teachers to better identify needs extended into 2025-26 with £9.5m More from this theme Recent articles The government has extended a programme that boosts neurodiversity support in mainstream schools, but with less funding that its trial run.
Cinema trips and summer schools boost attendance

1 week ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

More from this theme Recent articles Putteridge High School, in Luton, is bucking the national trend of declining attendance for vulnerable pupils. How have they done it? Schools Week takes a look…Support pupils before they joinThe school has a four-phased approach, which begins before pupils even join.
Teachers' pay eroded more sharply than other professions

2 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Teachers’ pay has been eroded far more sharply than other professions, the rest of the public sector and wages across the economy, new analysis shows. The School Teachers’ Review Body published its 35th report on Thursday, recommending a 4 per cent pay rise for the 2025-26 academic year. The DfE has accepted its advice, and will provide £615 million in funding, though this will only part-fund the rise. The body has also suggested some other ways the government could make teaching more competitive.
Private school VAT raids: What’s the actual impact?

2 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Private schools have reduced their fees and increased bursaries after Labour removed their tax breaks, as data shows pupil numbers have dropped by 13,000 in a year, well above government estimates. The Independent Schools Council has published its annual census, its first since ministers began charging VAT on fees and making private schools pay business rates.
DfE chief: ‘We can support schools to be more efficient’

2 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

More from this theme Recent articles The government believes schools can still spend their cash more efficiently, a senior civil servant has said, amid widespread concern that unfunded pay rises are pushing schools into the red. Permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood was joined by the Department for Education’s director general for schools, Juliet Chua, and director general for skills, Julia Kinniburgh, as they were questioned by MPs at a Public Accounts Committee meeting on Monday.
The school pupils who disengage during 'Year 7 dip'

2 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

More than one in four pupils begin to disengage from school during Year 7, a landmark study of pupils has found, with engagement particularly low among girls and disadvantaged pupils. The report, published today, is believed to be the largest-ever study of pupil engagement in England. It used insights from over 100,000 pupils across England through The Engagement Platform (TEP), to examine how engagement changed across the 2024–25 academic year.
Senior civil servants ‘don’t know very much about education’

2 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Senior civil servants ‘don’t know very much about education’ Academy chief and ex-senior DfE official says moving between departments 'erodes' capacity Academy chief and ex-senior DfE official says moving between departments 'erodes' capacity More from this theme Recent articles Officials moving between government departments has “eroded” capacity in the civil service, the head of England’s largest academy trust has warned.
Where are we on Labour’s mental health promises?

3 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Almost one million more young people will get access to school mental health support this year. Does that mean the government is delivering its pledges? Schools Week takes a look…1. Specialist mental health professionals in every school – but not until 2030The government pledged to provide access to mental health professionals in every school so “every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate”.
British Sign Language GCSE ‘unlikely before 2028’

4 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

British Sign Language GCSE ‘unlikely before 2028’ The Department for Education initially hoped the qualification would be launched in autumn this year The Department for Education initially hoped the qualification would be launched in autumn this year More from this theme Recent articles A much-anticipated GCSE in British Sign Language is not expected to be taught until 2028 at the earliest, three years later than planned.
Maths hubs funding drops (but DfE says it’s not a cut)

4 weeks ago | schoolsweek.co.uk | Lydia Chantler-Hicks

More from this theme Recent articles Funding for the government’s widely lauded maths hubs scheme will fall by 20 per cent next year, with one trust saying its budget has been slashed by a third. Leaders say the funding fall could result in redundancies and less support for teachers. However, the government says the change is not a cut.