Henry Hepburn
@henryhepburn.bsky.social
Senior editor at Tes magazine https://www.tes.com/campaign/download-the-tes-magazine-app
Is the teacher pay rise in England ‘fully funded'? @jabedahmed.bsky.social and @jasminenorden.bsky.social report www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Is the teacher pay rise ‘fully funded’?
Schools have been told they can cover this year’s teacher pay rise through pension savings. Tes explains what this actually means for budgets
www.tes.com
September 18, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Is the teacher pay rise in England ‘fully funded'? @jabedahmed.bsky.social and @jasminenorden.bsky.social report www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
🌀 Language learning for GCSE students is in a ‘death spiral’ and the government needs to act to reverse the decline, warns @hepi-news.bsky.social
‘Death spiral’ in language learning demands action, government told
Think tank report finds ‘stark disparities’ in uptake of GCSE languages across different parts of England
www.tes.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:05 AM
🌀 Language learning for GCSE students is in a ‘death spiral’ and the government needs to act to reverse the decline, warns @hepi-news.bsky.social
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
The KS3 Alliance is calling for evidence on how schools can improve students’ experience of the phase and establish a clearer purpose for the early secondary years, amid concerns that key stage 3 is ‘seriously overlooked’
KS3 Alliance launches national call for evidence on ‘overlooked’ phase
Schools and trusts are asked to help define the purpose of early secondary years amid concerns that students can lose engagement after Year 7
www.tes.com
September 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
The KS3 Alliance is calling for evidence on how schools can improve students’ experience of the phase and establish a clearer purpose for the early secondary years, amid concerns that key stage 3 is ‘seriously overlooked’
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Suspension and exclusion rates of primary pupils increased in the last academic year, with the biggest rises seen in the middle years of primary, @fftedudatalab.bsky.social analysis shows
Suspensions climb fastest in Years 2-4, data shows
Overall suspension rate is dropping but still climbing in primaries and remaining high among disadvantaged pupils, FFT analysis shows
www.tes.com
September 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Suspension and exclusion rates of primary pupils increased in the last academic year, with the biggest rises seen in the middle years of primary, @fftedudatalab.bsky.social analysis shows
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
BREAKING: The teacher pay award for 2026-27 will be funded ‘at a national level’ from savings to employer contributions for support staff pensions, government claims
Teacher pay award to be funded through pension savings
Schools were initially told they would have to fund the first 1% of the 2026-27 teacher pay award
www.tes.com
September 16, 2026 at 2:06 PM
BREAKING: The teacher pay award for 2026-27 will be funded ‘at a national level’ from savings to employer contributions for support staff pensions, government claims
Powell told to revamp 'dispiritingly dull' English curriculum - @johngroberts.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Powell told to revamp ‘dispiritingly dull’ English curriculum
Education committee chair Helen Hayes writes to education secretary asking her to ‘look again’ at review of how English is being taught
www.tes.com
September 15, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Powell told to revamp 'dispiritingly dull' English curriculum - @johngroberts.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Schools that join academy trusts improve pupil attainment 'substantially more' than those run by local authorities, according to independently reviewed @cstvoice.bsky.social research
Pupil attainment rises ‘substantially’ more in MATs, finds study
But Confederation of School Trusts’ research report admits there is ‘uncertainty’ over the reasons why academies showed greater improvement in results
www.tes.com
September 14, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Schools that join academy trusts improve pupil attainment 'substantially more' than those run by local authorities, according to independently reviewed @cstvoice.bsky.social research
Free breakfast clubs scheme will take 7 years at current pace - read the latest exclusive from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Free breakfast clubs scheme will take 7 years at current pace
DfE wants all primary schools to have free breakfast clubs by the end of this Parliament, but 17 months into the scheme, more than 14,000 schools are still without one
www.tes.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Free breakfast clubs scheme will take 7 years at current pace - read the latest exclusive from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
High SEND schools 5 times more likely to miss Ofsted inclusion standard - important report by @cerysturner.bsky.social @johngroberts.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
High SEND schools 5 times more likely to miss Ofsted inclusion standard
Experts warn of ‘serious flaws’ in the watchdog’s framework and question why schools with higher levels of SEND and disadvantaged pupils are getting lower grades
www.tes.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:34 AM
High SEND schools 5 times more likely to miss Ofsted inclusion standard - important report by @cerysturner.bsky.social @johngroberts.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Tes magazine has published its first Mat Tracker newsletter, with insights, trends analysis, merger and acquisition updates, job moves, insider rumours and much more.
Huge amount of work from Charlotte. Please do have a look, share and subscribe (it's free!).
Huge amount of work from Charlotte. Please do have a look, share and subscribe (it's free!).
📢Introducing the first ever @tesmagazine.bsky.social MAT Tracker newsletter!
Free news, views, insight and intel for all those who work in/with multi-academy trusts.
Access it every Thursday by signing up below 👇
tes-magazine-mat-tracker.beehiiv.com/p/lucy-powel...
Free news, views, insight and intel for all those who work in/with multi-academy trusts.
Access it every Thursday by signing up below 👇
tes-magazine-mat-tracker.beehiiv.com/p/lucy-powel...
MAT Tracker: Lucy Powell’s trust test
Plus inclusion poll, MAT moves and more talking points
tes-magazine-mat-tracker.beehiiv.com
September 10, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Tes magazine has published its first Mat Tracker newsletter, with insights, trends analysis, merger and acquisition updates, job moves, insider rumours and much more.
Huge amount of work from Charlotte. Please do have a look, share and subscribe (it's free!).
Huge amount of work from Charlotte. Please do have a look, share and subscribe (it's free!).
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
📡 The first edition of our new Tes MAT Tracker newsletter is coming to your inbox tomorrow afternoon. Sign up here for free and be the first in the know:
Sign up to the Tes MAT Tracker newsletter
Our Tes MAT Tracker newsletter offers essential weekly insight for those working in or with academy trusts - sign up for free here
www.tes.com
September 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
📡 The first edition of our new Tes MAT Tracker newsletter is coming to your inbox tomorrow afternoon. Sign up here for free and be the first in the know:
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
New: After late Sats results and marking issues last year, DfE now apologises to primary heads for a KS2 data error misclassifying pupils’ prior attainment. @naht.org.uk says this does "nothing to restore trust" in Sats. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
DfE apologises to primary heads for prior attainment error
Schools are advised that progress scores will not be affected, but heads voice fears about ‘additional stress and workload’
www.tes.com
September 10, 2026 at 6:00 AM
New: After late Sats results and marking issues last year, DfE now apologises to primary heads for a KS2 data error misclassifying pupils’ prior attainment. @naht.org.uk says this does "nothing to restore trust" in Sats. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
The vast majority of secondary schools have less spending power now than they did in 2010, warns the @schoolcuts.bsky.social coalition, which says schools are faced with ‘impossible decisions’ about cutbacks
9 in 10 secondaries financially ‘worse off’ than in 2010
Coalition of teaching and school leader unions says schools would need an extra £4.5 billion a year to restore funding to 2010 levels
www.tes.com
September 10, 2026 at 7:05 AM
The vast majority of secondary schools have less spending power now than they did in 2010, warns the @schoolcuts.bsky.social coalition, which says schools are faced with ‘impossible decisions’ about cutbacks
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
✉️ Calls for clearer AI guidance, Reception test criticism and a DfE attainment error… Read all this and more in this morning’s Tes Daily newsletter ⬇️
Tes Daily: Schools ‘desperate’ for clearer AI guidance
Plus Reception test criticism and a DfE attainment error
tes-magazine-daily.beehiiv.com
September 10, 2026 at 6:36 AM
✉️ Calls for clearer AI guidance, Reception test criticism and a DfE attainment error… Read all this and more in this morning’s Tes Daily newsletter ⬇️
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Primary head Alison Helm sets out exactly how her school increased its good level of development score for Reception children from 50% to 83%
How we drove a huge increase in our GLD score in three years
A primary school leader outlines how a thorough redesign of its nursery site and more staff training had a huge impact on good level of development outcomes
www.tes.com
September 10, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Primary head Alison Helm sets out exactly how her school increased its good level of development score for Reception children from 50% to 83%
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
The Reception Baseline Assessment needs to be 'urgently reviewed' because it contradicts the government’s own guidance on screen time for young children, according to a letter to the education secretary backed by more than 130 prominent figures
Early years experts demand 'urgent review' of RBA
The Reception Baseline Assessment contradicts the government’s own screen-time guidance for young children, says letter to education secretary
www.tes.com
September 10, 2026 at 5:05 AM
The Reception Baseline Assessment needs to be 'urgently reviewed' because it contradicts the government’s own guidance on screen time for young children, according to a letter to the education secretary backed by more than 130 prominent figures
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Exclusive: DfE apologises to primary heads for a mistake in classifying pupils’ prior attainment – but leaders warn of ‘additional stress and workload’ as a result of the data error
DfE apologises to primary heads for prior attainment error
Schools are advised that progress scores will not be affected, but heads voice fears about ‘additional stress and workload’
www.tes.com
September 9, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Exclusive: DfE apologises to primary heads for a mistake in classifying pupils’ prior attainment – but leaders warn of ‘additional stress and workload’ as a result of the data error
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Every school should have an inclusion statement written and published by 1 January.
Here, @jasminenorden.bsky.social asks experts what should be in it and how to make sure it makes a genuine difference.
A great resource for all in schools ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Here, @jasminenorden.bsky.social asks experts what should be in it and how to make sure it makes a genuine difference.
A great resource for all in schools ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
How to write your inclusion strategy statement
Every school needs to publish an inclusion strategy statement by 31 December - Jasmine Norden asks experts what should be in it and how to put it together
www.tes.com
September 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Every school should have an inclusion statement written and published by 1 January.
Here, @jasminenorden.bsky.social asks experts what should be in it and how to make sure it makes a genuine difference.
A great resource for all in schools ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Here, @jasminenorden.bsky.social asks experts what should be in it and how to make sure it makes a genuine difference.
A great resource for all in schools ⬇️
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
✉️ Pisa scores revealed, teacher pay rise funding challenges, and inclusion statement advice… Read all this and more in this morning’s Tes Daily newsletter ⬇️
Tes Daily: Pisa scores rise in science but flatten elsewhere
Plus inclusion strategies and teacher pay rises
tes-magazine-daily.beehiiv.com
September 9, 2026 at 6:52 AM
✉️ Pisa scores revealed, teacher pay rise funding challenges, and inclusion statement advice… Read all this and more in this morning’s Tes Daily newsletter ⬇️
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Retraining teachers to become physics specialists could cost eight times less than increasing trainee bursaries, analysis by @edupolicyinst.bsky.social finds
Retraining physics teachers 'more cost-effective' than bursaries
Helping teachers become physics specialists could be around eight times less expensive than increasing trainee bursaries, analysis finds
www.tes.com
September 9, 2026 at 5:15 AM
Retraining teachers to become physics specialists could cost eight times less than increasing trainee bursaries, analysis by @edupolicyinst.bsky.social finds
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
England's scores in the latest Pisa study, published this morning, remain 'strong' according to the DfE – but the government has used the results to make the case for change. @ktorm-social1.bsky.social has all the details here ⬇️
DfE hails ‘strong’ Pisa results, but makes case for change
High rankings for England in international tests of reading, maths and science should not mask lack of progress over past decade, says government
www.tes.com
September 8, 2026 at 7:31 AM
England's scores in the latest Pisa study, published this morning, remain 'strong' according to the DfE – but the government has used the results to make the case for change. @ktorm-social1.bsky.social has all the details here ⬇️
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
How entrenched is the regional divide in A-level outcomes? Of the 33 LAs where the share of A*/A grades fell between 2019 and 2026, 21 were in the North. A similar pattern emerges for grades C or higher over the same period. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
September 7, 2026 at 5:50 AM
How entrenched is the regional divide in A-level outcomes? Of the 33 LAs where the share of A*/A grades fell between 2019 and 2026, 21 were in the North. A similar pattern emerges for grades C or higher over the same period. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
Lucy Powell appears to want to forget the past two years has happened... that's a very problematic voluntary amnesia.
"Powell may be starting anew with the sector, but the sector is not starting anew with Labour. Pretending otherwise is not just odd; it’s disingenuous."
"Powell may be starting anew with the sector, but the sector is not starting anew with Labour. Pretending otherwise is not just odd; it’s disingenuous."
Will the new Labour DfE ignore the work of the previous Labour DfE – and what are the pitfalls that come with that approach?
Editor @jonsevers.bsky.social explores in our first Tes Daily newsletter of the new school year. Read it here ⬇️
Editor @jonsevers.bsky.social explores in our first Tes Daily newsletter of the new school year. Read it here ⬇️
Tes Daily: A problematic amnesia for Labour
Plus the week's talking points and events diary
tes-magazine-daily.beehiiv.com
September 7, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Lucy Powell appears to want to forget the past two years has happened... that's a very problematic voluntary amnesia.
"Powell may be starting anew with the sector, but the sector is not starting anew with Labour. Pretending otherwise is not just odd; it’s disingenuous."
"Powell may be starting anew with the sector, but the sector is not starting anew with Labour. Pretending otherwise is not just odd; it’s disingenuous."
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
If you’re a new head of department, managing the delivery of coursework can be a steep learning curve – here, experienced HoDs share their advice to make things run smoothly
Coursework: 7 tips for new HoDs to make everything run smoothly
The responsibility for overseeing coursework delivery is one of the major challenges that a new subject lead faces, so here are some key dos and don’ts from those who have been there before
www.tes.com
September 7, 2026 at 6:40 AM
If you’re a new head of department, managing the delivery of coursework can be a steep learning curve – here, experienced HoDs share their advice to make things run smoothly
Reposted by Henry Hepburn
This year’s A-level results showed a widening of the regional divide in attainment – but new data highlights how some local authorities in the North have seen a decline in top grades compared with before the pandemic
Northern areas hit hardest by long-term declines in A-level grades
After last month’s A-level results showed a continued widening of the regional divide in attainment, Tes looks at how local authorities in some parts of the country have seen a drop in grades since before the pandemic
www.tes.com
September 7, 2026 at 5:05 AM
This year’s A-level results showed a widening of the regional divide in attainment – but new data highlights how some local authorities in the North have seen a decline in top grades compared with before the pandemic