Issue 133 - 2025 Spring term

Working on your behalf to influence government policy.

Senior Director Julie McCulloch highlights the ongoing fight for a better approach to inspection and accountability.

Schools and colleges need well-structured social media plans to maximise positive online engagement and manage negative comments effectively, says public relations expert Ryan Hyman. Here, he shares top tips and advice.

Professor Lee Elliot Major says reducing divides inside and outside the school gates is crucial for all children to prosper. Here he provides practical strategies leaders can take to achieve an education system that values both equity and excellence.

Education Mutual’s Kelly Potton shares insights from the latest School Business Leader Wellbeing Index and highlights top tips to ensure you and your staff keep well.

National Foundation for Educational Research’s (NFER’s) Helen Poet shares the latest findings on using ChatGPT to support lesson preparation, and the implications for school and college leaders.

Headteacher Manny Botwe says he’s incredibly proud and delighted to be your ASCL President. Here he shares his passion for education and leadership, and his mission to ensure 'A Brighter Future' for all children and young people.

Julia Harnden provides a summary of what the government’s funding settlement for 2025/26 means for school and college budgets.

Tiffnie Harris highlights the impact that the government’s plans for free breakfast club provision will have in primary schools in England.
 

Leaders play a crucial role in ensuring that their schools and colleges provide good careers guidance says Beth Jones from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. Here, she highlights the recent changes made to the Gatsby Benchmarks.

The ‘bonfire of BTECs’ has now been extinguished – so where do we go from here? Following the outcomes of the Rapid Review, Kevin Gilmartin clarifies the findings and looks at the post-16 landscape going forward.

ASCL’s Dr Anne Murdoch says colleges have been starved of funding for far too long and the government must use the upcoming Spending Review to end this injustice.

It is essential that the inspection system is clear to parents and has the confidence of the profession. Currently, as they stand, Ofsted’s proposed new report cards are worse than single-word judgements. What are your thoughts? Here, ASCL members share their views.

Headteacher Martin Blain says he’s proud to represent the primary sector on ASCL Council. Here, he shares his passion for Council and shaping children's lives to open up opportunities both in the UK and around the world.
 

ASCL has been quoted widely in the media over the recent period on a range of issues.

Continue to be part of our great community when you retire from a school or college leadership role with ASCL Associate membership.

ASCL provides a range of member benefits.

The fund is here to support you when you most need it.

ASCL is committed to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) among school, college and trust leaders, and in our own organisation.

The DfE’s 2024 teacher appraisal guidance recommended using online platforms to reduce workload, target CPD needs, and support staff development.

Carl Smith says there’s never a shortage of people telling school and college leaders how to do their jobs. Here, he shares some advice on how not to be a head.