Category: State schools
Ofsted reporting: another overhaul already?
It’s hard to escape the sense that schools are once again being asked to adapt to a moving target. Ofsted’s new inspection framework and report cards only came into effect in November 2025, replacing the previous single overall judgement with grades across different areas, including achievement, inclusion, attendance and behaviour, Read more
New vocational education reforms
For generations, the traditional education route has been clear: GCSEs, A levels, university and then employment. Vocational education has often been seen as an alternative for pupils who are less academically inclined. Andy Burnham’s proposed reforms could begin to change that perception – with implications for relocating families and Read more
How should relocating families approach changes to Ofsted reports?
For families relocating to a new area, finding the right state school can be a major consideration when choosing where to live. For years, Ofsted ratings provided a convenient shortcut: look for schools rated “Outstanding” or “Good” and search for homes nearby. But that approach no longer tells the Read more
AI – information without context?
For today’s parents, artificial intelligence has become an always-on research assistant. Whether you’re comparing school performance, decoding admissions criteria, or trying to understand catchment areas, AI can surface answers in seconds. What once required trawling through council websites, forums, and spreadsheets can now be condensed into a single, tidy Read more
Has VAT changed the face of independent schooling forever?
The introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025 has had a significant impact on the independent education sector in the UK. While it is difficult to attribute school closures and changes in pupil numbers to any single factor, more than 100 private schools have reportedly closed, Read more
SEND Reform: A System Under Pressure and the Implications for Families
Support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has become one of the most pressing challenges within the UK education system. Long criticised for being inconsistent, underfunded, and difficult to navigate, the system is now the focus of ongoing reform efforts aimed at improving both access and outcomes. Read more
One Country, Three Systems: The Growing Fragmentation of UK Education
For many families—and employers—the UK education system has long been viewed as broadly consistent, with regional nuances but a shared foundation. That assumption is becoming increasingly outdated. Across England, Scotland, and Wales, education policy is diverging at pace, creating three distinct systems with different structures, philosophies, and outcomes. Scotland, Wales Read more
School Admissions, Fairness & the Reality of “Hidden Selectivity”
The idea that state school admissions in England are fair, transparent, and accessible to all has long been a cornerstone of the system. But increasingly, that assumption is being questioned. Beneath the surface of published criteria and official policies, a more complex picture is emerging—one shaped by what many are Read more
Why So Much of New Education Funding Is Being Spent on SEN — And What It Means for UK Schools
Recent analysis of education funding trends in England shows that over half of the increase in school funding over the past decade has gone towards supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN) - reshaping how budgets are allocated and how schools plan for the future. Funding for SEN needs has grown sharply due to Read more
Sharp pupil decline forecast for London state schools
Demand for state school places in London is falling fast, reshaping the admissions landscape for relocating families. Forecasts across all 32 boroughs show a 4% drop in Year 7 places and a 2% fall in reception places between 2025/26 and 2029/30, with Inner London seeing the steepest decline. For the Read more