Headteacher Update

1 week ago | headteacher-update.com | Pete Henshaw

A research study looking at the minimum families need to spend for their child to attend and participate in school has revealed just how much costs have risen in the last two to three years. Analysis carried out by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Centre for Research in Social Policy has identified key drivers for this rise in costs including higher costs for materials such as books and stationery and the rising cost of food.

1 week ago | headteacher-update.com | Pete Henshaw

A survey of 873 school leaders working in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has also revealed that 94% of school leaders are finding it harder year-on-year to meet the needs of SEND pupils. And 98% say they do not have enough resources to meet the needs of all the SEND pupils in their schools.

2 weeks ago | headteacher-update.com | Pete Henshaw

A survey of more than 1,500 school leaders published by the National Association of Head Teachers finds that 45% have needed mental health support in the past year, while 65% say their mental health has been harmed by the job. The NAHT is set to debate the issue when it convenes for its annual conference this weekend in Harrogate. The survey findings reveal that of the 45% of leaders who say they needed mental health support in the previous 12 months, only a third managed to access help.

2 weeks ago | headteacher-update.com | Kate Jones

The 2025 SATs begin on Monday, May 12. Year 6 pupils will be assessed on a wide range of knowledge and skills including spelling, punctuation, grammar, reading, arithmetic and reasoning. With about two weeks to go as I write it is vital that both teachers (and parents) are focused on effective strategies to support pupils’ final preparation to give them the best chance at succeeding on the day. Making retrieval funRetrieval practice focuses on getting information out of long-term memory.

2 weeks ago | headteacher-update.com | Pete Henshaw

A majority of teachers say they are stressed at work most of the time and find themselves unable to switch off when at home, with many working evenings and weekends, according to findings from the National Education Union (NEU). A majority of teachers say their work has negatively affected their mental health and that work-related stress is getting worse year-on-year – with 8 in 10 reporting trouble sleeping due to work, according to findings from the NASUWT.