Andrew O’Neill

Maternity pay increase is a step in the right direction Teachers are being failed by the current maternity pay entitlement, writes Helena Marsh, so the government’s announcement of an increase must be welcomed

The announcement of an increase in teachers' maternity pay shows a commitment to tackling the ‘motherhood penalty’ – but the government still has more to do, writes head Helena Marsh

Reforms are a chance to change what we mean by 'standards' 'Exceptional' now means a school where disadvantaged pupils thrive, not just attend

'Exceptional is a school where high standards and inclusion are inseparable, visible in classrooms and outcomes and felt in the daily experience of every child'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/send-reforms-are-a-chance-to-change-what-we-mean-by-standards/

It's been a huge week for schools policy, and it will take weeks, maybe months to properly digest the government's plans for schools and SEND

In the meantime, v proud of edition 421 of @schoolsweek.bsky.social, with everything you need to know so far

Subscribe: schoolsweek.co.uk/subscribe-to...

There are easy read documents available, both of the white paper and the consultation

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/699c91...

consult.education.gov.uk/send-strateg...

And shorter skim read documents

www.gov.uk/government/p...

We want better, earlier support for our children — when they need it, where they need it.

And we’re investing to make that happen.

What funding will the white paper bring? The DfE has set out how it will fund some of its SEND reforms

Mainstream schools will get a share of £1.6 billion over three years to boost inclusion, while another £1.8 billion fund aims to provide better access to external support

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/white-paper-1-6bn-for-mainstream-inclusion-1-8bn-for-external-support/

I will make sure no child with special needs is left behind I want this country to see and value the contribution every single person can make, starting with an education system grounded in those values

Labour sees the value and worth in every single child.

The SEND reform we are setting out will see us improve support — not remove it.

We want to see every child achieve and thrive.
www.thetimes.com/article/0d3c...

DfE reveals £4bn SEND reform spending plan Schools will get access to £1.6bn inclusion funding and ‘Experts at Hand’ as part of the government’s long-awaited SEND reforms

Schools will get access to a new £1.6bn inclusion fund and a bank of specialists in their local area, the government announced tonight, as part of a £4bn spending plan for SEND reform

Give heads what they need to make inclusive mainstream work This is not about withdrawing support from children. It's about changing the way that support is offered

'The single most important thing the heads I work with have said is that if we can give them the resources to be flexible in meeting children's needs, then they will'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/give-heads-what-they-need-to-make-inclusive-mainstream-work/

The change we’re bringing for children with SEND is to get them better, earlier support — where they need it and when they need it.

Labour believes every child must have the chance to achieve and thrive.

We are determined to break the link between background and success.

That’s why we’re investing in better, earlier support for our children at school and reforming the SEND system for good.

We’ll fail a generation if we say SEND reform is too hard The white paper represents a pivotal moment for policy and system leadership

'Now is the time to step forward together and seize this moment to create one system with high ambition for all children'

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/well-fail-a-generation-if-we-say-send-reform-is-too-difficult/

This took a long , long time to put together and it was great to see the (largely) sensible debate it prompted over the month after it was published a few months back.

The scientific debate is still where it was, but the cultural debate has certainly become even more polarised.

‘People will listen’: turning anger into community pride in North Shields A tour of local ‘wins’ shows how the charity Citizens UK is working with residents to build a better, fairer society

This is a lovely article about the work of Citizens UK, highlighting Tyne and Wear Citizens and their great achievements.

Our trust supports this work (and makes sure our students and families are at the heart ;)) in Liverpool, Greater Manchester and West Yorks.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

For the record:

📈 2,300 more secondary and special school teachers
📈 Trainee teachers up 11%
📈 Physics up 36%
📈 Computing up 44%
📈 Maths up 16%
📈 Attendance improving
📈 Behaviour improving

Labour is getting more children in class & more teachers in front of them.

#PMQs

Teacher recruitment is turning a corner - let’s accentuate the positives Positive ITT data should be welcomed by the sector - and used to shape a narrative about why it’s a great profession to build on ‘fragile’ green shoots, says Sam Gibbs

"If we believe that teaching changes lives, we must sound like a profession that believes in itself." @samgibbs.bsky.social in @tesmagazine.bsky.social : www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

Last week, I enjoyed attending various events with Minister Gould, to kick off a period of engagement across the country as part of a 'national conversation' on SEND. It's been a privileg... Last week, I enjoyed attending various events with Minister Gould, to kick off a period of engagement across the country as part of a 'national conversation' on SEND. It's been a privilege to chair t...

www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-re...

One from me today on why we need to talk to the positives on teacher recruitment.

Teacher recruitment is turning a corner - let’s accentuate the positives Positive ITT data should be welcomed by the sector - and used to shape a narrative about why it’s a great profession to build on ‘fragile’ green shoots, says Sam Gibbs

A lovely positive piece (with caveats) from @samgibbs.bsky.social on teacher training targets

www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty Strategy document setting out the government’s ambitious decade long mission to tackle the drivers of child poverty across the UK.

Proud to unveil the Child Poverty Strategy.

Child poverty is a scourge I grew up with, it is a scourge I want to end.

This government will drive the biggest reduction of child poverty in a single Parliament. This is how we get there.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

We can’t fight Reform if we’re busy fighting ourselves.

As Deputy Leader, with a seat in Cabinet, I’ll unite our party, deliver change and take the fight to Reform.

'Labour must put tackling child poverty at the heart of our future - that’s why we back Bridget Phillipson' - LabourList Five of Labour's devolved mayors on why they are backing Bridget Phillipson for deputy leader of the Labour Party.

I’m really proud to be backed by these mayors, who are delivering day in, day out for the people they represent.

As Deputy Leader, I’d speak up for every Labour Member, nation and region from my seat at Cabinet.

labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...

'Divided parties don’t win elections - we can't afford to hand Farage advantage' Education Secretary and Labour deputy leadership contender Bridget Phillipson writes for The Mirror saying she will be a 'strong voice at Cabinet table' for members

‘My message to Labour members is simple: I want to unite our party to deliver change so we can beat Reform at the next Election and get a second Labour term.’

- @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social writes for the Mirror

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

This is why @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social is running to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party👇

Some news 👇🏻

Stephen will be much missed in the sector - he has built great relationships, genuinely listened and treated the profession with respect at all times.

30 government-funded hours wasn’t the end. Today Labour’s announcing another 300 school-based nurseries.

Accessible, affordable, convenient early years education for working families – saving time on the drop-off & saving money on childcare.

Labour’s Plan for Change in action.

Congratulations to students collecting results today! 🎉

You’ve worked so hard and should be proud, as should all your brilliant teachers, staff & parents.

Whichever path you want to take, we’re creating more opportunities for you through our Plan for Change. #Results25

Far too many white working class kids don't get results they need says minister Bridget Phillipson vowed to tackle the 'thorny' challenge of British white working-class kids falling behind their classmates ahead of A-level results day

We’ve spent our first year fixing the foundations in our schools: turning the tide on attendance & teacher recruitment.

Now I’m turning to the thorny, generational issues of our time, like driving up educational outcomes for white working class children.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...