A new EPI report makes clear the need for smarter and more sustained interventions to tackle disadvantage, argue these education leaders from the Coalition for Pupil Premium Reform

Narrowing the disadvantage gap is the defining educational challenge of our time. This new report from @edupolicyinst.bsky.social & @theeef.bsky.social offers some grounds for cautious optimism that we can begin to tackle that challenge. More detail from lead author @msemilyhunt.bsky.social below.

I'm pleased to publish this new @ascl-uk.bsky.social‬ report. The policy team has been working with ASCL Council to explore the many responsibilities schools and colleges have felt the need to take on over the last few years, as poverty rises and wider children's and family services crumble. 1/7

Unions @naht.org.uk‬ and @ascl-uk.bsky.social are considering asking members to stop working as Ofsted inspectors amid concerns over report card plans

Many educationalists - including @ascl-uk.bsky.social - share parents' support for report cards. But they'll only deliver the benefits we want to see if they're accurate & reliable, and if they improve recruitment & retention by reducing pressure. Our concern is that Ofsted's approach does neither.

Important from @ascl-uk.bsky.social Many members are inspectors and share concerns that plans are flawed. This deep thinking on accountability is needed. To be great leaders we need to be held to account reliably, fairly and consistently. schoolsweek.co.uk/ascl-floats-... @schoolsweek.bsky.social

Thanks @johngroberts.bsky.social, @jasminenorden.bsky.social & @cerysturner.bsky.social for this summary of @ascl-uk.bsky.social's responses to the Ofsted and DfE accountability consultations.

We “are committed to robust accountability for schools and colleges, but disagree that this approach is the right way to achieve that end.” Thanks @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social for this detailed write-up of the key points in @ascl-uk.bsky.social’s response to Ofsted’s consultation on inspection reform.

ASCL FE Advisory Board member and College Principal and CEO @darrenhankey.bsky.social appeared as a witness at today's Education Select Committee session to discuss 'Are young people being offered the right opportunities and support to excel in their futures?' 💻 parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

We've partnered with @ascl-uk.bsky.social for a panel at #LibDem Spring conference looking at Ofsted's school report card plans. Highlights below👇

The next stage of the Curriculum and Assessment Review will look to create a more inclusive and fair system, address subject-specific challenges, and assess available pathways beyond GCSEs. Find out more ➡️ www.gov.uk/government/p...

Great summary of the main stories from #ASCL2025. Lovely to see you and the rest of the @tesmagazine.bsky.social team, Charlotte.

@sineadmc.bsky.social urges us all to focus on what we can change, and to 'hold lightly' what we can't. And I love her suggestion that people consider their membership of organisations like ASCL as outsourcing their desire to influence the wider system. We do our best to do that for you. #ASCL2025

The fabulous @sineadmc.bsky.social is now on stage at #ASCL2025, sharing some worrying stats about the mental health and wellbeing of school and college staff and the reasons behind these, including the decimation of wider services and the pressures of a high-stakes, low-trust accountability system.

Not already an ASCL member? Ruth is ready to let you know all about our special #ASCL2025 joining offer. Representatives from our member support and professional development teams and leaders' networks are also on hand to answer any queries. We're in Hall 2 and looking forward to seeing you!

#ASCL2025 - @tomrees.bsky.social provides more information about the launch of @inclusioninpractice.org.uk, where inclusive education is a national priority—and a shared responsibility. You can read more here: inclusioninpractice.org.uk #inclusion #education

Next at #ASCL2025, our SEND & Inclusion Specialist @mmulholland.bsky.social interviews @tomrees.bsky.social, Chair of DfE's Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion. Tom says we need to acknowledge that the current system just isn't working, despite the best efforts of all those working within it.

Chair of the Curriculum & Assessment Review @beckyfrancis.bsky.social tells #ASCL2025 what she & the team have heard as they’ve consulted over the last few months. There’s strong support from educators & families for the ‘evolution not revolution’ approach, but also a clear sense of changes needed.

General secretary @pepediiasio.bsky.social tells #ASCL2025 that the last thing the sector needs is an inspection system that “intensifies the pressures they face”. “And yet incredibly that’s exactly what is being proposed.” “We support the principle of report cards - but not like this.”

To applause from delegates at #ASCL2025, General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio proposes a simpler, fairer, more intelligent approach to implementing school report cards. You can read more about this proposal here: www.ascl.org.uk/ASCL/media/A...

ASCL General Secretary @pepediiasio.bsky.social opens Day 2 of #ASCL2025 by referencing two of our Association's founding mothers- the formidable Frances Mary Buss and Sophie Bryant.

Sir Martyn Oliver references the recommendation in ASCL's Blueprint for a Fairer Education System for a balanced scorecard - but disagrees with our suggestion that schools & colleges should be evaluated as simply having met or not met standards in different aspects of education. #ASCL2025

HMCI Sir Martyn Oliver tells @ASCL2025 that it's really important that serving school and college leaders respond to Ofsted'current consultation. ASCL will be submitting our response, and sharing it with members, next week.

Really welcome recognition from the Secretary of State that many of the challenges schools are currently facing can't be fixed within schools themselves, but need wider system reform. #ASCL2025

ASCL General Secretary @pepediiasio.bsky.social asks the Secretary of State her views on Ofsted's reform plans. She says we need smarter and more effective accountability, which identifies in a much more granular way what schools are doing well and where they need to improve.

Secretary of State Bridget Phillipson is up next at #ASCL2025. She talks about what we need to enable all children to succeed - great teachers, a curriculum that's fit for purpose, to tackle the attendance crisis, and strong and effective structures and accountability.

"..the proposed changes to the #Ofsted framework feel like a kick in the teeth. We're already under enormous pressure, balancing the needs of our students with increasingly limited resources. More accountability, more high-stakes scrutiny won’t solve the recruitment and retention crisis." #ASCL2025

ASCL President @mannybotwe.bsky.social with a rousing opening keynote at #ASCL2025, outlining what need to be the shared priorities for government and the profession.

🚨NEW PODCAST🚨 Do Ofsted's plans to reform inspections stand up to closer inspection? @ensermark.bsky.social and @juliemcculloch.bsky.social joined me to discuss the potential impact of Ofsted's proposed 'report cards', toolkits and new 5-point grading scale. Listen here: insideyoured.com

We’re looking for three new colleagues to join the brilliant @ascl-uk.bsky.social policy and PD teams: * Inspection and Accountabilty Specialist * Post-16 and Skills Specialist * Professional Leadership Communities Manager More info below, or DM me for a chat. www.ascl.org.uk/vacancies

We’re looking for three new colleagues to join the brilliant @ascl-uk.bsky.social policy and PD teams: * Inspection and Accountabilty Specialist * Post-16 and Skills Specialist * Professional Leadership Communities Manager More info below, or DM me for a chat. www.ascl.org.uk/vacancies

I’m heading home from an incredibly productive meeting of @ascl-uk.bsky.social Council. We worked through a huge amount of business to determine our positions on proposals in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, as well as Ofsted and DfE’s consultations on inspection and accountability reform.

The discourse today around inspection and accountability reform, and the proposed new report cards, has left me feeling rather deflated. Here’s my attempt to articulate why. 1/12

“School & college leaders had high hopes that an approach to inspection based on report cards might be more nuanced and humane. Sadly, the way in which Ofsted and the government are going about this suggests that the opposite will be the case." Our full response to #Ofsted plans: ow.ly/i0IJ50UR71H

@jonnyuttley.bsky.social speaking perfect sense, as ever. @ascl-uk.bsky.social’s proposal for an accountability system based on report cards is here, for info 👇 www.ascl.org.uk/ASCL/media/A...

I was given these lovely flowers last night as I stepped down as a trustee at @riverlearningtrust.bsky.social. RLT is a group of 28 schools in Oxfordshire & Swindon. They’re now looking for new trustees with legal and/or AP experience. Thoroughly recommended! riverlearningtrust.org/29/announcem...

Schools bill debate: Academies aren't the only way to improve schools, unions tell MPs... ... but they warn most improvement expertise is now in trusts - and that can't be undermined

In a cold and bright Westminster to give evidence to the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on behalf of @ascl-uk.bsky.social members. Some probing questions!

“...we cannot go on like this. It is death by a thousand cuts. The government must recognise the importance of improved investment in education," says @juliemcculloch.bsky.social following report on school and college funding by the IFS: ow.ly/aih250UBCX0

Strongly agree with this. I find it astonishing that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is legitimised in this way.

Congratulations to all those being honoured for services to education, and particularly to @ascl-uk.bsky.social’s inspirational former General Secretary @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social! So well deserved.

I’ve just come to the end of my term as a trustee for @riverlearningtrust.bsky.social, a fantastic group of 28 schools in Oxfordshire & Swindon. The trust is now looking for two new trustees, with legal and/or AP experience. More info below 👇 riverlearningtrust.org/29/announcem...

I’m still smiling this morning after a wonderful evening at the Pearson National Teaching Awards Ceremony! Very proud to have become a trustee of this amazing charity. Thanks to the fantastic team and to the inspirational winners and nominees 👏

The Ofsted report card timeline will leave "little time for schools" to prepare for changes - @ascl-uk.bsky.social would be ready to see the new approach "introduced later" than Sep 2025. ✍️ @pepediiasio.bsky.social on why Ofsted shouldn’t develop the new standards. www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

In today's @tesmagazine.bsky.social, @ascl-uk.bsky.social General Secretary @pepediiasio.bsky.social sets out our views on the introduction of new school report cards. Please read, & share if you agree. It's really important that we get this right. www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

Great to speak to @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk just now about the joys and challenges of teaching, and how schools can attract and retain teachers who are increasingly looking to work flexibly. vimeo.com/1034237543

Delighted to be representing @ascl-uk.bsky.social on the #TeachingCommission and working with colleagues on looking for how best to improve teacher and leader recruitment and retention. #ASCLmembers share your ideas with the Commission directly or via ASCL's TellUs mailbox teachingcommission.co.uk

Thanks @jasminenorden.bsky.social for this write-up of @ascl-uk.bsky.social’s submission to the Curriculum & Assessment Review, to @tommiddlehurst.bsky.social for synthesising our members’ views so effectively, and to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social for creating this space to engage. Much to discuss!

📣Calling all @ascl-uk.bsky.social Business Leader members, book now for our free Business Leader Online Forum on 26 Nov. We will be joined by colleagues from the SBP team and also DfE Connect in the morning session, come along and help shape business leadership policy. ⬇️

I agree with all of this from @samfr.bsky.social, but I’m slightly more optimistic about the potential for the government’s opportunity mission, and its focus on child poverty, to lead to more joined-up thinking. I’ve seen genuine interest in looking at behaviour, attendance etc through this lens.