Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Senior reporter @SchoolsWeek with a focus on Ofsted and the teacher workforce | Email [email protected] | Also on Bluesky @lydiach.bsky.social

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

Turnout was 48.6 per cent for teacher NEU members, and 55.5 per cent of support staff members.

NEU's national executive will meet next month to determine next steps

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

Teacher and support staff members of @NEUnion have said they are prepared to strike over the prospect of an unfunded pay rise.

Indicative ballots show 90.5% of teacher and 86.1% of support staff members are prepared to take industrial action over pay, funding and workload

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

@RossLydall All the very best for what comes next, Ross!

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

A new 'independent advisory group' set up by @NAHTnews is to scrutinise the effect new Ofsted inspections have on school leader wellbeing.

Ofsted has agreed to sit on the panel, which follows concerns new inspections place extra pressure on leaders
https://t.co/eIInrPX44M

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

'All teaching staff' in England will be eligible for SEND training as part of a major new development package, government has announced
https://t.co/ITAyuXmHeF

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

Ofsted's published the first of its new 'report cards', for schools that volunteered to be the first inspected under its new framework.

Grades are likely higher than usual, given these are volunteers, but it gives an early look at what the new system holds...

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Leaders have shared their views on the new inspection regime after Ofsted published its first full report cards, for schools that volunteered for inspections under its new framework

https://t.co/8yaADdnZsj

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

The government looks set to hand itself sweeping powers to close MATs based on trust-level education failures alone, once new Ofsted trust inspections are introduced

Here's everything you need to know...
https://t.co/UiG4ygDp7x

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Breaking: New Ofsted inspections of multi-academy trusts could begin as early as 2027, it has emerged

https://t.co/qoxbm10koz

[Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth]

We are looking for a reporter to join team
@schoolsweek - here's the qualities that we need ⤵️

Fit the bill? See how to apply here: https://t.co/tVMuEuzCjF

Any questions, please feel free to drop me or @FCDWhittaker a message

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

Ofsted's electronic evidence-gathering system has been hit with further technical problems - meaning inspectors adjusting to the new framework will have to follow 'alternative processes' when inspections resume in January

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Ofsted has enacted a 'contingency plan' to help inspectors record notes when inspections resume in January, after more 'technical problems' with its electronic evidence-gathering system

https://t.co/quwns56DQs

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Breaking: Exam board Pearson has been fined £2 million by Ofqual for 'serious' rule breaches which affected tens of thousands of students taking language qualifications

https://t.co/MZO2p9J2Wj

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

The government has revealed it will use family incomes - rather than free school meal eligibility - to decide how much pupil premium funding schools get as part of a long-term shake-up

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Exclusive: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said

https://t.co/jyyEydm7DA

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

Teacher trainee numbers are up 11% on last year, showing promising signs for recruitment as the gov aims to fulfil its pledge of boosting the workforce by 6,500 teachers.

Secondary has again under-recruited though, hitting 88% of its target – despite that target being cut by 19%

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Breaking: Trainee teacher numbers have grown by 11 per cent this year, with government over-recruiting would-be primary teachers but still missing its target for secondary

https://t.co/YO0hb415XQ

[Pepe Di’Iasio @pepediiasio]

We need to right this wrong
Business Leaders play a critical role in the strategic and operational success of schools and trusts. Too few are remunerated on a salary that aligns with the senior responsibilities they exercise.

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Ofsted has announced routine inspections of NPQ providers are being paused until next academic year, while the government reviews the qualifications

https://t.co/2bFXOWoI8x

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Ofsted’s deputy chief inspector Matthew Coffey has announced he will retire next month after nearly three decades in education inspection

https://t.co/8DOU6NU3Wo

[Lydia Chantler-Hicks @lydiachSW]

School leaders say new Ofsted inspections are more collaborative and transparent, but 'far more rigorous' - and have expressed concerns over pressure on staff.

Grateful to leaders who shared their thoughts, having volunteered to be among the first to undergo new inspections

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Exclusive: School leaders who volunteered for new Ofsted inspections said they were much more collaborative, but warned about the toll on staff of the 'far more rigorous' checks

https://t.co/9ptOdnvSTI

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Exclusive: The firm overseeing England’s biggest school PFI contract is planning to 'go into liquidation' with millions of pounds worth of building repairs work still outstanding

https://t.co/BmZpBI8ex9

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

'We've listened to schools about what works and what needs changing, including funding rates,' says @oliviabaileymp

'That's why we're increasing the per child funding rate, so schools can offer a genuine variety of healthy breakfast options'

https://t.co/tMKkzhwD2a

[Schools Week @SchoolsWeek]

Leaders recruited to the government’s RISE improvement programme have faced 'hostility' and resistance from the schools they are trying to turn around, an adviser said

https://t.co/VoDpa0DBrR