Teach-Secondary-Issue-14.5

THE SPEECH: Education Secretarycalls for action on absence WHO? Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education WHERE? Regional conference of education leaders, Birmingham WHEN? 4th June 2025 “1 in 5 children are persistently absent from our schools. That’s 1.5 million, missing roughly a day every other week. This isn’t a side issue, it’s not a niche problem to talk about in between the big education conversations. This is the big education conversation. Parents have the responsibility to send their children to school. Of course they do. But what schools do matters too. We can see it in the data. Because within local authorities or trusts there are similar schools facing similar challenges, but with very different records on attendance. Some [are] doing really well. But in others we need to see more progress. About two thirds of the difference can be explained by things like where the schools are and the communities they serve. And I’m sure a bit reflects the complexities of schooling that we just can’t measure. But there is a chunk – a big chunk – that is under the control of school leaders. The data is clear – your leadership matters. And we’re arming you with that data. You now have access to AI-powered reports for each of your schools. You can see how each school’s performance compares with 20 similar schools, as well as tailored tips for how to get attendance moving again. You canmake a big difference on attendance, you canmake a big difference in the lives of those absent children. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s not just an opportunity, it’s a responsibility – one that I sincerely hope you can live up to.” THE RESPONSE: ASCLcomments on SpendingReview FROM? Julia Harnden, deputy director of policy at ASCL REGARDING? The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s June 2025 Spending Review WHEN? 11th June 2025 “The capital funding commitment is welcome as far as it goes, but it will not be enough to make significant inroads into the huge backlog of repairs and maintenance across the school and college estate because of many years of underfunding. There is also a major challenge in terms of reforming the SEND system to ensure it is sustainable in the future and delivers the support that children and young people need. The government will need to ensure there is sufficient funding in place to deliver these reforms.” An issue of substance Drugs, alcohol, energy drinks and gambling apps – according to the NASUWT, all are being regularly consumed and accessed by school students, and contributing to worsening behaviour issues. According to survey responses from 4,000 NASUWTmembers, the chief concern most commonly cited by leaders and teachers was excessive consumption of energy drinks, both inside and outside school. Next on the list was cannabis use, with 19% of respondents being aware of students using the drug while at school, and 57% knowing of students using the drug outside of school. Placing third was use of nicotine pouches and snus, with 13% knowing of students using said substances in school, and 30% outside of school. Even more alarming was the ‘other drugs’ category, including use of cocaine and ketamine, with 5% of respondents aware of them being used by students while on school premises. Commenting on the findings, acting NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack said, “ Not only are many of these activities illegal or prohibited for young people aged under 18, they are contributing to the rise we are seeing in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour in schools… “ This is clearly not an issue that schools can solve alone.We need greater action from government and other expert services to help deter young people from using or accessing illegal or prohibited substances or activities and causing harm to themselves or others. ” SPEECHES AND CORRESPONDENCE Forget the media-friendly soundbites – what else was in those announcements and letters you missed? 3-4 JULY 2025 Festival of Education | 18-19 OCTOBER 2025 Battle of Ideas Festival | 19-20 NOVEMBER 2025 Schools & Academies Show SAVE THE DATE 3-4 JULY 2025 Festival of Education WellingtonCollege,Crowthorne educationfest.co.uk Back for a 15th year, this annual gathering of educators will oncemore host a series of thought-provoking discussions and engaging speakers across 40 on-site locations.As the name suggests, this really is a ‘festival’, giving visitors opportunities to share their ideas, experiences and practice with teachers from across the countrywithin relaxed indoor and outdoor surroundings. 18-19 OCTOBER 2025 Battle of Ideas Festival ChurchHouse, London battleofideas.org.uk Final details are yet to be confirmed by the Academy of Ideas, organisers of this annual debating and networking event, but we can reasonably expect another two days of bold, impassioned and at times provocative rhetorical jousting on a range of topical subjects across a series of panels – including a number of topics likely to be of particular interest to educators and older students. 19-20 NOVEMBER 2025 Schools &Academies Show TheNEC, Birmingham schoolsandacademiesshow.co.uk Aimed at MAT and school senior leaders, the ‘#SAASHOW’will be once again be setting up shop at the NEC, Birminghamthis autumn for two days of CPD centred on strategy and school improvement, and opportunities for learning from fellow leaders andmanagers. As always, there’ll also be a sizeable and thoughtfully curated exhibition floor hosting numerous suppliers and solution providers. 07 teachwire.net/secondary N E WS | J U L / A U G