Blogs

Government to consult on an under-16s social media ban; phone-free schools pushed via new guidance. Ministers announced a consultation on an Australia-style ban for under-16s using social media, alongside strengthened guidance that schools in England should be “phone-free environments” from the summer term. Ofsted will check phone policies during inspections. For staff, this connects directly to behaviour, attention, safeguarding and digital citizenship work in computing and PSHE. STEM crossover: classroom attention, cognitive load, and safe use of AI tools.

Ofsted to check phone policies; DfE signals “tougher” guidance for schools. Schools Week reports that inspectors will scrutinise phone policies on every inspection, and the Department will consult on restrictions on addictive app features and better age checks. While the guidance is currently non-statutory, the direction of travel is clear: minimise pupil access to phones during the school day.

New DfE complaints guidance asks parents to be respectful and use AI “with caution.” Joint guidance from DfE, Parentkind and Ofsted outlines a five-step process for raising concerns and warns that social media or AI-generated content can inflame rather than resolve issues. For school comms leads, this provides an official reference point when setting parent-facing expectations.

Updated AI safety expectations: tools in schools should detect signs of learner distress. The DfE’s refreshed expectations say education-focused AI should surface signals of distress and alert safeguarding leads. For STEM departments trialling AI (e.g. feedback, tutoring, analytics), expect closer scrutiny of vendor safety features and data flows.

£200m for SEND and inclusion training for “all teaching staff.” The DfE unveiled a package to upskill staff across nurseries, schools and colleges. The training will be free and delivered flexibly, with the SEND Code of Practice updated to set expectations that all staff receive training. What to watch: timelines, quality/consistency of provision, and links to evidence-informed practice.

Extra SEND cash signalled in forthcoming white paper. Ministers told Schools Week that additional funding for councils and schools is due, amid warnings that a freeze in the high-needs block will deepen local deficits. For SENCOs and business managers, this is one to flag for budget planning, EHCP support capacity and specialist placements.

Home education up 15% year-on-year to 175,900; SEN support common among EHE pupils. New DfE data show growth in elective home education, with mental health frequently cited. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will tighten EHE oversight via consent rules and compulsory local authority registers. STEM angle: sustaining curriculum progression for re-entries and access to lab/tech experiences.

Trust-level behaviour resets: “emotional intelligence” approaches reduce suspensions. Outwood Grange reports significant reductions after introducing a more relational model. If your setting is balancing high expectations with belonging and wellbeing, this piece offers a useful case study to scrutinise with your behaviour strategy team.

College strikes: roughly half called off as three-day action began; deals reached and talks continue. UCU members in 33 colleges had planned strikes on 14–16 January; last-minute settlements paused action in several institutions, leaving 16 colleges striking. Key issues: pay, workload, and parity with schools. For 16–19 STEM delivery, check exam timetables, assessment windows and cover implications.

International Education Strategy: ministers urge colleges to expand overseas. A refreshed strategy targets £40bn in export value by 2030, with support to cut red tape and improve access to export finance and market intel. Practical watch-outs: public-sector approvals for “novel transactions,” partner due-diligence, and sustainability of overseas demand.

Skills England: mind the mandate. FE Week’s analysis cautions that without sufficient funding and employer ownership, Skills England could drift. For STEM departments tied into local skills plans, this frames questions to ask your LSIP and employer partners about genuine co-design and investment.

EEF on metacognition: practical scaffolds (visual, verbal, written) to build pupil independence. A concise classroom piece aligning with the updated EEF guidance: start with the least support first, be explicit about how strategies help learning, and gradually remove scaffolds. STEM tie-in: problem-solving in maths, planning investigations in science, and debugging in computing.