Issue 136 - 2026 Spring term

Ofsted’s renewed framework has failed to put school leader wellbeing at its heart, increasing workload and stress at a time when the profession can least afford it, says Andy Jordan.

The Schools White Paper reforms could be revolutionary, if ministers don’t lose their nerve. Tom Middlehurst and Julia Harnden believe that detail, delivery, and political courage will decide whether this moment truly delivers for children and young people.

Deborah Allen shines a spotlight on how ASCL’s Member Support Team offers practical, confidential help when leadership pressures mount.

Dr Anne Murdoch OBE and Claire Green examine the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, highlighting its opportunities, while warning that funding, timelines, and sector support remain uncertain.

New research from the NFER and the lived experience of a senior school leader reveal why teachers from minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely to leave the profession, and what inclusive, reflective leadership can do to change that.

ASCL President Jo Rowley reflects on the first half of her year as ASCL President and says what stands out most is the privilege of listening.

Are you retiring from a school or college leadership role? ASCL Associate membership allows you to remain part of a trusted professional community while embracing the next chapter.

We know that school and college leadership can be both immensely fulfilling and immensely challenging, often at the same time, so, here, we just want to remind you of all the great benefits of your ASCL membership.

ASCL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is a core and ongoing responsibility of our association. 
 

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

We are pleased to announce GO 4 Schools as an ASCL Premier Partner.

Sustainability credentials are no longer a ‘nice to have’; they’re becoming a must and we all know about the importance of ‘musts’ in the academy trust sector.
 

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) continues to pose challenges for schools and colleges.

Recent criminal prosecutions involving AI-generated indecent images of children have confirmed what safeguarding professionals feared.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 was introduced in June 2025 and brought some changes to data protection law in the UK.

GCSE results will be delivered via a new Education Record app from this summer.

Schools have witnessed a surge in AI-generated complaints over the past six to eight months.

Exclusions cases reaching the courts have surged, with permanent exclusions up 16% in 2023/24 and more Court of Appeal cases in 2025 than in the entire period since 2011.

Emma Harrison explores why sustainability must sit at the heart of educational leadership, strategy, and curriculum to build resilient, future-ready learning communities.

As the Schools White Paper aims to renew its focus on collaboration, school partnerships must draw on the strengths of all schools to improve outcomes for young people, says Neil Smith.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review promised evolution, not revolution. Its primary recommendations feel careful and pragmatic, but as Tiffnie Harris asks, do they truly rise to the scale of reform many schools believe is overdue?

Progress on the Gender Pay Gap masks a far more concerning, overlooked problem – the Gender Pension Gap. Melanie Moffatt highlights why, despite reform, the challenges ahead remain stark today nationwide.

Deputy Headteacher Tyronne Lewis relishes the opportunities that come with serving on ASCL Council. Here, he shares his passion for Council, his commitment to inclusive school leadership… and his long-standing fear of birds.

In a world often marked by division, it’s vital to spotlight kindness and compassion. Here, ASCL members share inspiring stories of young people learning about empathy, hope, and belonging.

Carl Smith provides a look at the invisible emotional labour of school leadership, where professionalism is polished, patience is infinite, and the truest reactions live quietly in unsent drafts.