Headteacher Update

@HeadteacherNews has ebulletins (Mondays & Thursdays), best practice articles, news analysis, blogs, resources, a best practice podcast & free downloads & supplements. All free and all supporting primary #education professionals: headteacher-update.com

The new #Ofsted inspection toolkit puts fresh focus on children with a social worker. What does good practice look like & how can #schools evidence #inclusion, #safeguarding & multi‑agency work? A practical guide from virtual head Darren Martindale: buff.ly/Zh0fNqQ

The @HeadteacherNews best practice archive offers advice, case studies, tips & ideas covering every aspect of primary #education: headteacher-update.com/content/best-p… #teachers #teaching #education #schools

Home-school agreements may be back on the agenda under the DfE's White Paper plans. But can they really strengthen partnerships with parents & what works in practice? We explore lessons from #schools & what leaders want next: buff.ly/uGR8ckc #education #teaching

Put #safeguarding & #SEND in separate boxes at your peril: Safeguarding & SEND are deeply connected & the new #Ofsted framework makes that clear. Rik Chilvers & Simon Hanley – @JudiciumEDU – explore what inspectors expect & how #schools can respond: buff.ly/U4kPbaB

#Ofsted inspections don’t have to damage staff wellbeing. Isthar Pearce – @JudiciumEDU – explores how school leaders can assess risk, meet legal duties & support teams before, during & after inspection – focusing on 4 key risk areas: buff.ly/LKH7S0O #teachers #schools

Headteacher Update Podcast: The place for best practice advice, tips, ideas across all areas of primary school practice – #pedagogy #teaching #leadership #pastoral #SEND & much more. Check out our archive of more than 50 episodes: headteacher-update.com/podcasts #teachers #schools

Headteacher Update's Safeguarding Digest platform for school #safeguarding teams offers best practice, #CPD materials including safeguarding training scenarios & key questions for staff, latest news & research, online masterclasses & more: buff.ly/Yr2z4PM #schools #DSLs

School improvement plans can drive change – or drain capacity. Experienced head @AlanShieldsCIO shares four key questions to help leaders plan, implement & evaluate improvement that really works for staff & pupils: buff.ly/OKjVQmf #schools #education

What does ‘school readiness’ really look like? With research estimating that 37% 37% of reception pupils are not school-ready, #schools are under pressure. We explore the gaps & practical strategies to support children & families from the start: buff.ly/LUxu8ZP #education

More than half of school leaders say parts of their buildings are unfit for use. From crumbling concrete to leaking roofs, years of under‑investment is harming pupils. #Schools need action now says @PaulWhiteman6 – @NAHTnews – writing in Headteacher Update buff.ly/RKYiuIz

#DSLs carry some of the toughest emotional & moral burdens in #education – often without the support they need. Delyth Lynch on why DSL wellbeing must become a core #safeguarding priority & seven strategies to make that happen buff.ly/HTCzYQ1

Safeguarding Digest offers bitesize #safeguarding summaries & key questions to keep your school staff up-to-date. This time: Radicalisation: buff.ly/8Z5eZRp (Access to this article via Headteacher Update Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/KRyouJ7) #schools

Proposed #KCSIE 2026 changes & impending statutory guidance signal the arrival of mobile phone‑free #schools. Elizabeth Rose – @sosafeguarding – outlines what school leaders & #safeguarding leads can be doing now to prepare policies, staff & students: buff.ly/2rOtan4

Excitement, choice & real reading joy! #Schools piloting #Bookbuzz Primary from Booktrust have seen KS2 pupils grow in confidence, identity & motivation as readers. Registration for the 2026 programme is now open. Find out how it works buff.ly/LevBAT8 #teaching #literacy

'When are we going to play?' The move to year 1 is a step-change for young pupils. Play-based learning is vital for engagement, wellbeing, progress. Michelle Windridge – @MrsPrimary_EYFS – offers practical strategies for KS1 classrooms: buff.ly/vSCTS1m #schools #teaching

Get your free 21-page Headteacher Update guide to #teaching #oracy skills, with lots of practical ideas for primary #schools: Defining oracy – Disciplinary oracy – Vocabulary gaps – Assessment – Transition – Disadvantage – SLCN – School case studies: buff.ly/cyZuAf9

The @HeadteacherNews website is free for all: Access to primary #education best practice, case studies, tips, guidance, news analysis, podcasts, webinars, blogs & more: headteacher-update.com #teachers #teaching #education #leadership #schools

All #schools will have pupils who suffer #bereavement but many staff lack the confidence to respond. @CorporalScotty has training resources to help. Here they offer practical guidance on supporting grieving children & building a bereavement-aware culture: buff.ly/ZFNh8uj

How can #schools build stronger teams? Cognitive diversity boosts problem-solving, but only when conditions are right. Laura McPhee continues her series on belonging in schools with practical steps for leaders to unlock better collaboration: buff.ly/uXnMCcD #education

A two‑week October half-term? At Luminara Trust it cut absence by 50%, saved £45k in cover costs & boosted wellbeing. Parents backed it too. A structural win for #schools. Sam Strickland – @Strickomaster – explains how they made the change: buff.ly/XcqLXGN #education