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This past week has seen some major headlines in education, but none perhaps as impactful as the ongoing discussions about reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. With Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson hinting at broader SEND reforms, this topic is one that STEM teachers should be paying close attention to. These changes could reshape how SEND students are supported in classrooms, particularly in core subjects like science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). How these reforms unfold may determine the future of inclusivity in education for years to come.

In addition to this critical development, we have also seen significant stories related to exclusion rates, digital literacy, and practical science learning that could affect STEM teaching in the UK. Let’s dive into the key news from the past week.

1. Schools Week: Reforming the SEND System

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has suggested that wider reforms are needed in the SEND system. This could significantly impact STEM subjects, as students with learning disabilities often require additional resources to engage with complex topics in these areas. With discussions around how to better support these learners, now is the time for teachers to rethink how they approach STEM education for SEND students.

Read more about the SEND reform discussions here.

2. Sky News Education: Schools Continue to Battle Exclusion Rates

From Sky News, we learned that school exclusions are on the rise, with children receiving free school meals nearly five times more likely to be permanently excluded. These rising rates directly impact STEM education, as students missing extended periods of school can quickly fall behind in critical subjects such as maths and science. Initiatives to curb exclusions, especially through providing additional support for at-risk students, will be vital moving forward.

Read the full story on Sky News here.

3. FE Week: Digital Literacy Key to Closing Gender Gaps

FE Week focused on the importance of embedding digital literacy into all training programmes to close the gender gap in tech-related fields. The skills gap in technology affects STEM classrooms, where girls are often underrepresented in computing and digital studies. As more industries pivot toward digital solutions, ensuring all students, regardless of gender, have digital literacy skills is crucial to future job market success.

Dive deeper into digital literacy and its role in education here.

4. TES Magazine: Drop in Science Practicals Hurts Student Outcomes

Experts at TES raised concerns over the decline in science practicals, warning that reduced hands-on learning could harm student outcomes in science subjects. Practical experiments are key in STEM education, helping students grasp complex theoretical concepts and fostering a passion for inquiry. As funding pressures persist, this decline in practical sessions may further distance students from fully engaging with science.

Learn more about the decline in science practicals here.

5. Labour’s SEND Reforms and Inclusion in Schools

At the Labour Party’s conference, plans were outlined to implement further SEND reforms and launch initiatives like breakfast clubs and workforce inclusivity programs. For STEM teachers, these plans could mean enhanced support for SEND students in the classroom, offering them better opportunities to excel in science and mathematics subjects, areas where they have traditionally struggled without adequate resources.

Full details on Labour’s conference impact on schools here.

6. Digital Skills as Essential as English and Maths

In FE Week, educators stressed that digital skills should now be considered as essential as English and Maths. With industries across the globe increasingly requiring digital proficiency, schools must ensure students are digitally literate by the time they leave secondary education. This shift may see a greater emphasis on coding, data analysis, and other digital-related skills in STEM classrooms.

Read more about digital skills in education here.

Reflections for STEM Teachers

1. SEND and STEM: As potential reforms to the SEND system are discussed, think about how your current approach to teaching STEM subjects can be adapted to support SEND students more effectively. How can we ensure students with learning disabilities are not left behind in these critical areas?

2. Inclusive Classrooms: The rise in school exclusions raises the question of how we can ensure that our classrooms are more inclusive, particularly for disadvantaged students who are at higher risk of exclusion. How can we create a more supportive environment in STEM subjects for these students?

3. Practical Learning Opportunities: With concerns around the reduction in science practicals, consider how you might advocate for or develop low-cost or virtual alternatives to maintain hands-on learning in science.

4. Digital Skills and Gender Inclusion: Reflect on the importance of embedding digital literacy within your curriculum. How can we work to close gender gaps in STEM fields, particularly in computer science and technology?

Note: This blog post is an AI curated summary of news articles from various sources. The aim is to provide educators with a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the education sector. All hyperlinks direct readers to the original news articles for further reading.