Emma

What we’re learning from the 2026 Ofsted Framework Over 130 schools have now been inspected under the 2026 Ofsted framework — and we’ve been analysing what’s emerging (incl. early primary scorecards). Early patterns we’re noticing: ✅ Achievement is a key pressure point ✅ “Expected” is the most common baseline ✅ Inclusion is often a real strength ✅ Implementation gaps are being called out ✅ Early Years quality is repeatedly highlighted Practical insight from real reports (not legal analysis): headteacher-chat.link/ofsted2026 #Ofsted #SchoolLeadership

@cornishwatkins Primary and further education seem age / stage appropriate - in the middle, secondary, just seems to get it so wrong.

@Matt_Pinner Should say Butch

Help me out: I need a highly specific, aggressively masculine name for a tiny Chihuahua puppy. Nothing cute. I'm desperate.

@Matt_Pinner Burch

@MoreMorrow @AdrianBethune Is that because of the expectations placed on "mufti day" as a special day. At my kid's school where they don't require uniform - they all rocked up in joggers and hoodies (non branded). Uniform is only a leveller if you can wear it - for many, sensory differences make it hard.

@AdrianBethune From my background uniform was a true blessing. My attendance was excellent other than Mufti days where I would always take the day off. This isn’t evidence other than my own experience of how important it was to me not to stand out negatively

There is no research that shows that school uniform has any impact on learning. Therefore, if you spend a large amount of your time enforcing rules around uniform, you cannot claim to run your school in an evidence-informed way. Discuss 🤔

The vast majority of children permanently excluded from primary school have Special Educational Needs. Let’s change that. Let’s invest in them; not only the right thing to do - the only wise thing to do - because every child either becomes a contributor or a cost to the economy.

🚨 145,000+ signed. Debate now pending. The Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill threatens to introduce Digital ID for kids — with no consent, no opt-out. But we’re not done. 📢 Keep sharing until it’s withdrawn 🖊️ Petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/7223… #WithdrawTheBill #NoDigitalID

All Children Forced Onto Digital ID? "Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill" Mass Surveillance of Our Children Data Leaks happening everywhere The Bill expands the NHS number beyond its original health purpose without clear limits or oversight #NoToDigitalID #together defenddigitalme.org/2025/06/14/nhs…

@MarkHeath45 This government wants to pass a bill that's supposed to be for children's wellbeing. It will make it very difficult for parents to take children out of schools to homeschool. If I had young children now, I would keep my kids safe. You can't trust this government to do the same.

There were 82 speakers at the Second Reading of the Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill. I raised problems of a politicised curriculum (and yes, had a dig at Starmer over Adolescence). The Bill not only undermines school autonomy but creates huge state powers of surveillance of parents, in particular by demonising home schooling. What is the reputation of the state when it acts as a parent in children’s homes? Please don't mention grooming gangs…

@BarbaraBleiman Yes, how can a mark change from a 3 to a 7 (a home ed parent posted this last week)?? That is so concerning.

So many unchanged marks still remain wrong & inconsistent in their view too. They say they’re now doing ‘unpaid quality assurance for the awarding bodies.’ So unfair on everyone. A national scandal!

Yet another shocking story of remarks and inconsistencies in an email from a Head of English whose work I greatly respect. More English grade changes in their school than all the other GCSE subjects put together! One Lit grade up 2 because a 40 mark essay mistakenly given 0! 1/

Absolutely love this response from Tylenol!

@vicgoddard @hertscc @Essex_CC This fills me with such sadness. I don’t say this flippantly, but they are too busy chasing their tales with too many SEND families. I know very few SEND families who haven’t been affected. We just seem to be so upside down….poor child and poor staff. 😢

Yesterday two large LA social care teams let down a child by not caring enough that they had somewhere safe to go home to. Simply unacceptable. The child and our DSL were abandoned by other professionals. @hertscc @Essex_CC

@ShakinthatChalk @Janroweljmu Yep….

@Janroweljmu There’s been no change at the DFE, it’s still full of the Tories gove put there. OFSTED is no different and Bennet is back in role. I’m done with Labour. I’ll never vote for them again.

This feels particularly ( and inappropriately) stressful: “In the planning call with leaders, we will ask where they see themselves against the 5-point scale of each evaluation area.”

@MrEFinch @neil_play @VerandaThought @primarythink @KyrstieStubbs @KateSmithOpal I always feel bad doing assessments with children in uniform when I’m wearing practical (comfy) clothes so a not to restrict me doing the job (including trainers)…..

@neil_play @VerandaThought @EmmaHester @primarythink @KyrstieStubbs @KateSmithOpal Hard to be free to play if you have to have clean, shiny shoes, a blazer and a tie.

I've never really understood; can anyone outline the benefits of school uniform to me? Extra points if you can explain why these benefits are, apparently, irrelevant in those many countries that don't have uniform?

@MrEFinch @VerandaThought @primarythink @KyrstieStubbs @neil_play @KateSmithOpal I’d imagine it removes a huge source of friction!

@EmmaHester @VerandaThought @primarythink @KyrstieStubbs @neil_play @KateSmithOpal Exmouth College near me has done this.

@MrEFinch @VerandaThought @primarythink @KyrstieStubbs @neil_play @KateSmithOpal Yes, there was a school in the news trialling PE kit as the main uniform recently.

@VerandaThought @EmmaHester @primarythink @KyrstieStubbs I think schools who really look at their play provision often end up making similar changes to policy. Joggers, polo shirt, robust trainers. No doubt @neil_play or @KateSmithOpal could tell us more.

@primarythink @MrEFinch I have seen schools with no uniform (no brands / a choice of logo’d hoody /sweatshirt for school trips etc.), a school with a colour to wear and iron on logo badges given out, and another with a smorgasbord of uniforms with something for everyone. All work well and are inclusive.

@MrEFinch @EmmaHester Build in explicit adjustments for sensory/medical needs so pupils aren’t marked out. Equity & belonging must run together or neither run at all.

@primarythink @MrEFinch It’s only a leveller if the child can wear it. As an OT spending a lot of time in schools, I come across many children with sensory differences, I’d argue it’s the opposite😢.

@MrEFinch In areas of deep socio-economic challenge, uniforms can act as an equity measure: they take away the pressure (and cost) of “keeping up” with brands or fashions. Not a perfect solution, but one way schools try to reduce visible inequalities... I'd say that's a big one.

@vicgoddard 🙋🏻‍♀️

If you are in (interested in) the education world in whatever way and you follow me but I don’t reciprocate please let me know.