mark wilkes

Headteacher. Opinions are my own or posted for thought and discussion. They are not in any way connected to the viewpoints held by any member of my school.

[Tes magazine @tes]

The next academic year will bring major policy changes – here’s what school leaders can expect and when
https://t.co/Z3RlW5BD1N

[The Sutton Trust @suttontrust]

We already know that top performing state schools admit fewer children eligible for free school meals and fewer children with SEND - even when they live in the catchment area.

Schools that make efforts to be more inclusive should be supported, not penalised.

[Tes magazine @tes]

School leaders should not be left to ‘carry the can’ if the government’s White Paper plans fail because of a lack of funding, @PaulWhiteman6 tells the @NAHTnews annual conference #NAHTconf
https://t.co/guMlTcuNbE

[NAHT @NAHTnews]

New NAHT analysis of more than 650 Ofsted inspections raises serious concerns about fairness in the framework.

Our findings suggest schools serving more disadvantaged communities, and those with higher numbers of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, are more likely to be graded down on achievement, attendance and behaviour.

As Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “The expectation that results meet crude national averages risks actively penalising inclusive schools.”

School leaders know progress is not measured by data alone. Inspection must properly reflect context, challenge and inclusion.

New NAHT analysis of more than 650 Ofsted inspections raises serious concerns about fairness in the framework.

Our findings suggest schools serving more disadvantaged communities, and those with higher numbers of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, are more likely to be graded down on achievement, attendance and behaviour.

As Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “The expectation that results meet crude national averages risks actively penalising inclusive schools.”

School leaders know progress is not measured by data alone. Inspection must properly reflect context, challenge and inclusion.

https://t.co/0alaxOYwt9

[NAHT @NAHTnews]

New Tes research shows most teachers do not feel equipped to support pupils experiencing emotionally based school avoidance.

Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at NAHT, said: “The policy focus from government has been on improving attendance figures. However, policies like increasing parental fines for unauthorised absence and introducing AI‑generated attendance targets do not by themselves address the issues which keep children out of school long‑term.

“It feels like a really concerted effort to tackle the root causes of deeply engrained absence is missing.”

Greater investment in specialist support from health and social care professionals, and training and resources for schools is essential to help meet pupils’ needs and ensure every child feels safe, included and able to learn.

https://t.co/tKjT5P5WvH

[Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP]

Primitas SEND Conference 2026...
Last few places left...
Free chance to hear from Paul Dix & Dr Pooky Knightsmith... Free lunch too... Great opportunity to mix with fellow professionals...

[Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP]

Last year’s Primitas SEND Conference was a huge success and the wonderful feedback we received afterwards made it clear that we had to do it again.... https://t.co/p95Q9IgaAI

[Headteacher Update @HeadteacherNews]

New research from @ThriveApproach @ImpactEd_Group raises concerns about schools’ readiness for #inclusion-led SEND reforms. Large-scale survey finds limited capacity, stretched staffing & growing pressure on wellbeing despite strong commitment from staff: https://t.co/xUVM07zLw2

[The Primary Head @theprimaryhead]

@adamboxer1 @Headteacherchat I cannot think of anything more pointless than a mock Ofsted. If you want to inject more stress into your school, do an invacuation into full lockdown into full site evacuation drill... all whilst hosting a local school writing moderation. Twice the stress for equal value.

[Tom Sherrington @teacherhead]

Emotional intelligence is one of those ideas that seems to be conceptually shaky . Until you engage with someone without any … then nope, it’s very definitely a thing ! 😂

[Steven Bartlett @StevenBartlett]

“Hundreds of years ago, people dreamt of what we have now”

- Jimmy Carr.

[mark wilkes @marky0084]

We are stuck with this politically driven, data driven, system that is open to great interpretation but @cathiepaine has an important and significant point in her article. The way we use the language and our approach to how we interpret Ofsted’s wording is absolutely crucial.

[Tes magazine @tes]

Don’t look at the Ofsted grade ‘needs attention’ as a sign of failure, says MAT leader @cathiepaine – this new inspection system can help school improvement, but only if we avoid falling into the same old traps
https://t.co/lDV4x5xe5f

[Help A Teacher @HelpATeacher]

Important!

[Heather Scott @MathsladyScott]

I'm going to confess-I've been an Ofsted inspector- during my time I only saw 1 teacher who shouldn't be in teaching-It wasn't because they weren't trying! Every teacher clearly did their best for all pupils. Today Ofsted has got it wrong-it needs to celebrate achievement 🤔😀

[mark wilkes @marky0084]

Such an important and powerful read. Thank you for writing this @Edmund_B_W

[Edmund Barnett-Ward @Edmund_B_W]

I’ve been away for a bit. We haven’t been having the best time, to be honest. I’ve noticed a few things happening with Ofsted and their supporters recently, and I’ve written about it.

Ofsted, of course, are driving on regardless.

https://t.co/5P1HYCbbCT

[Mr P MBE @ICT_MrP]

Imagine saying to a room full of school leaders that if you think the new inspection framework is penalising schools with higher levels of poverty and SEND that they have low expectations, but that’s what Ofsted did last week!

[Tom Sherrington @teacherhead]

The whole nonsense of inspection needs ripping down. Emperor’s New Clothes. It’s all horseshit - reaching valid/reliable high stakes judgements about a school based on a short visit by strangers who couldn’t do a better job but presume to judge. What a job .. demoralise a community of professionals with zero responsibility for the fallout and then leave, spouting crap about being champions of disadvantaged children. The delusion of it. 😡