Headlines

Howden is the first UK broker to introduce redundancy protection for school fee payers

Howden, one of the UK’s largest insurance brokers, has become the first intermediary to introduce redundancy protection within school fee cover, allowing parents to claim a term’s fees if they experience redundancy which will be paid directly to the school. The new redundancy protection forms part of Howden’s enhanced school insurance offering, which also includes…

Education expert reveals what happens when phones leave the classroom as schools move towards phone-free environments.

Online searches for “banning phones in schools” have surged by 5,000% in the past month as educators and parents increasingly question the impact of constant smartphone use on children’s concentration, confidence and mental wellbeing.   Nearly all primary schools (99.8%) and 90% of secondary schools in England already restrict mobile phone use according to the children’s…

Dangerous UK schools make 166,000 workers consider quitting, as education faces retention crisis

New research suggests one in nine (11%) UK school workers are thinking about quitting  More than one-third (36%) say schools have become more dangerous places, raising retention concerns Laura, a teacher in the West Midlands, shares her story and why she’s considering leaving teaching   More than 166,000* teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff across…

New College Durham Students Help Preserve North East Heritage at Beamish Museum

Students from New College Durham are playing a vital role in preserving one of the North East’s most iconic heritage attractions after completing a major restoration project for Beamish Museum. Learners from the college’s Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery programme have handcrafted 12 replacement windows for the museum’s historic station signal box, combining traditional craftsmanship…

English Heritage Launches Largest Ever Replica of a Pre-Historic Building at Stonehenge as 7m-high Hall Arises from Salisbury Plain

– Built using flint axes, coppiced hazel and chalk daub, the Kusuma Neolithic Hall is based on nearby archaeological evidence – – Visitors can experience the Hall this summer before it becomes a learning space in September –   English Heritage has today unveiled a brand-new reconstruction of a 4,500-year-old Neolithic building at Stonehenge. Visitors…

New Classroom Resource Helps Teachers Support Emotional Regulation Through “Feelings Furballs”

Experienced SENCo Lynn How introduces practical, evidence-informed activities to support children with SEMH needs A new professional resource for primary educators aims to make emotional regulation more accessible, engaging and practical for children through a cast of relatable characters known as the “Feelings Furballs”. In The Feelings Furballs: Emotional Regulation Activities and Ideas for the…

Case study: How the Howden Pupil Wellbeing Prize is changing lives at The Prince of Wales School

When The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester was named a winner of Howden’s Pupil Wellbeing Prize 2025, it wasn’t just a moment of celebration, it was an opportunity to make an immediate, lasting difference. The school received £6,000, recognising its deep‑rooted commitment to inclusion, emotional wellbeing and placing pupils first. The funding has already…

Survey shows overwhelming number of UK parents believe playing sport improves mental numeracy – with sports such as darts deemed most effective accelerators of maths skills

75% of UK parents with school-age children agree that playing sport at school can improve numeracy skills Football, tennis, cricket and basketball considered the best typical school sports for improving numeracy skills Sports such as darts and snooker are considered the most effective sports for improving numeracy skills, outperforming even those traditionally included in school…

From a Blank Page to Piccadilly Circus: Meet the Student Inventors Who Won Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2025/26

Samsung Electronics has announced the winners of its sixth annual Solve for Tomorrow competition, celebrating the most inspiring tech-for-good ideas from students aged 11 to 18 across the UK and Ireland. Now in its sixth year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has reached over 339,426 young people and a third of all secondary schools across the…

Common Legionella Mistakes in Education

(And how to avoid them) By Andy Clews, Senior Consultant – Water Hygiene Centre In this blog we share some experiences of situations that can increase the risk of Legionella bacteria growth and what could have been done to prevent them. Introduction – Why controlling Legionella bacteria in education matters. Has you or your organisation ever…

HMRC Supported Internship programme expands across civil service

For the first time young people on HMRC’s Supported Internship programme offered opportunities across civil service. New partnership with HM Courts and Tribunal Service means young people with special educational needs in Liverpool have access to wider workplace learning. HMRC Supported Internship programme provides young people with special educational needs workplace experience in Liverpool, Manchester…

As the Premier League finale approaches, schools are using football to tackle inclusion

With the Premier League season drawing to a close later this month, football is once again dominating playground conversations. But for many schools, the moment is about more than just match results – it’s an opportunity to address some deeper challenges around inclusion, confidence and participation in sport. Despite significant progress in recent years, barriers…

National Theatre releases new research revealing significant impact of youth theatre on wellbeing ahead of Connections and New Views Festivals this summer

– New research report demonstrates positive impact of youth theatre as Connections participants report positive mental wellbeing significantly above national averages – Eight new plays will premiere at the Connections Festival at Lowry in Salford, performed by youth groups from across the UK – Six new plays written by teenagers to be platformed at the…

Feeling connected at school aids pupil mental health and attendance, study finds

Strong relationships with school staff and a sense of belonging at school can protect teenagers’ mental wellbeing and help reduce absences, according to new findings from The University of Manchester’s #BeeWell programme. The large-scale study shows that while poor mental health can drive disengagement from school, positive day-to-day school experiences play a critical role in protecting…

New research raises serious concerns over gov SEND white paper as consultation closes

‘This is not the answer for SEND’ – expert response to government White Paper New research and report questions digital, pre-determined approach in “potentially traumatic” proposed government reforms A new report questions the use of automated tiered systems in the government’s proposed SEND education reforms as well as its focus on mainstream achievement over individual…

European Study Tours becomes Esto as schools seek more personalised and inspiring educational trips

  European Study Tours has rebranded as Esto, unveiling a bold new identity designed to reflect growing demand from schools and teachers for more personalised, curriculum-linked and meaningful educational travel experiences.   The specialist educational travel company is entering a new chapter in its 40-year history with a fresh name, new brand identity and renewed…

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