Blog

In just over a decade, KCSIE has expanded from 40 to more than 150 pages, and from four primary safeguarding threats to over 40 in 2025. As recognition of harm has broadened, so too has the challenge: how do we remain compliant and compassionate - systematic and human? Jason Tait and Darren Singh-MacPherson, co-founders of RESPOND Safeguarding consider this question in their guest blog. 

Inspections under the new Ofsted framework began two weeks ago, and since then, we've received detailed feedback from members on how some of these inspections have gone. ASCL Accountability and Inspection Specialist, Andy Jordan, summarises the comments we've received so far. 

Ahead of today's ASCL Northern Ireland Annual Conference in Belfast, ASCL NI President 2025 Gwyneth Evans shares some of the areas she'll be covering in her keynote and conference theme of 'Futures in Leadership'.

Earlier this week, Education Support published its ninth annual Teacher Wellbeing Index. Their report shines a spotlight on the challenges, but also offers recommendations for meaningful, evidence-based change. 

Is the introduction of V levels a genuine reform, or just a cosmetic change from qualifications which already exist? ASCL Post-16 and Skills Specialist Claire Green examines the detail in the post-16 white paper and consultation in her latest blog. 

No one doubts the importance of reading in unlocking learning. But will the government’s recently announced ‘ambition’ for 90% of children to reach the expected standard in the phonics check and its planned Year 8 mandatory reading test have the desired impact? ASCL’s Deputy Director of Policy, Tom Middlehurst reflects.

Over 20% of pupils are now officially recorded as having a first language other than English. As the government prepares for 2026 as the ‘Year of Reading’ there is a risk this could exclude multilingual learners. In their guest blog, EAL Inclusive highlights the latest research and practical tips to value linguistic diversity in your setting.

With the Esports World Cup recently concluding with a record prize pool, the first Esports Nations Cup coming in 2026, and inaugural Olympic Esports Games following in 2027, competitive video gaming is more prominent than ever. In this guest blog, the British Esports Federation explains how it works and runs through the opportunities and benefits for schools.
 

The Prime Minister announced a bold ambition this week, where schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination. But while the ambition is laudable, it must be matched with infrastructure, funding and collaborative frameworks, writes ASCL Post-16 and Skills Specialist Claire Green. 

We welcome our new Post-16 and Skills Specialist Claire Green to ASCL and in her first blog, she calls for holistic reform in post-16 education, matched by investment in infrastructure, services and support. Post-16 education is not just about qualifications; it’s about preparing young people for life.

The Department for Education has launched phase 2 of the School-based Nursery Programme, building on the foundations of phase 1, with an increased focus on supporting families in disadvantaged areas to access early years provision.  The DfE shares more details about this and how to join a webinar in October explaining the process in this guest blog.

To retain talented educators and support their growth, PD needs to become deeply personal and rooted in the reality of a teacher’s classroom. In this guest blog, Matt Newell of IRIS Connect outlines a three-step model to help you personalise PD in your setting.

We are delighted to announce Sync, a new ASCL Premier Partner for 2025-26, and Apple Authorised Education Specialist. In this guest blog, Marcus Durkan outlines how Sync can support your school, college, or trust to successfully integrate technology into its curriculum and transform teaching and learning to enhance outcomes for all students.  

Over 2,000 schools and trusts across the UK participate in the Well Schools movement, taking positive action to improve education outcomes by supporting the health and happiness of their staff and pupils. In his blog, Assistant Principal Ian O’Flynn shares some of the feedback shared by his students on the innovative ways activity has been incorporated into his school.

In an era of increasing pressure on education budgets, evolving policy frameworks, and a growing demand for specialist support, the Tes SEND Show returns this October with renewed purpose: to empower, inspire and equip the SEND community. Read ASCL SEND and Inclusion Specialist, Margaret Mulholland's latest blog. 

ASCL Associates member John Lomas shares details of a successful project in the Solent Region (Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton) which brings businesses, schools and pupils together to understand how what is learnt in the classroom is relevant to the world of work.

Effective alternative provision relies on strong relationships between pupils and staff but how best to go about implementation? Amy Husband of ASCL Premier Partner Academy21 explores some of the strategies in her guest blog. 

Providing support and care for all ASCL members is at the heart of the ASCL Benevolent Fund’s work. In this blog, outgoing Chair Lesley Cooper highlights the work of the Fund and some of the ways it has helped members who have found themselves in difficulty. 

With the increasing importance of decarbonisation in the sector, solar PV systems are becoming an impactful technology for driving down energy costs and carbon emissions. But what strategic approach should school and college leaders take when considering solar? Robert Gould, Partner at ASCL Premier Partner Barker, shares practical advice in his guest blog.

Headteacher and ASCL President 2024-25, Manny Botwe, and his school recently agreed to take part in a trial pilot of Ofsted's controversial new framework. In this blog, Manny shares his experiences of the visit.