Ian Stokes
@ianstokes.org
Working with school leaders and governing bodies. School governor. Analysing & explaining school data. Helping you to tell your story.
http://www.ianstokes.org
http://www.ianstokes.org
Reposted by Ian Stokes
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 Ian Stokes
In case you missed it: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-income-data-to-replace-free-school-meals-as-trigger-for-disadvantage-funding/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-income-data-to-replace-free-school-meals-as-trigger-for-disadvantage-funding/
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 21, 2026 at 12:12 PM
In case you missed it: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-income-data-to-replace-free-school-meals-as-trigger-for-disadvantage-funding/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-income-data-to-replace-free-school-meals-as-trigger-for-disadvantage-funding/
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits
Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
Reposted by Ian Stokes
If Mandelson is being investigated for his Epstein connections, he must also be investigated for his Thiel connections, because they ran a joint fund when Mandelson fixed Starmer's visit to Palantir
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
'Peter Mandelson's Fixing of Keir Starmer’s Visit to Spytech Firm Palantir Raises Serious Questions'
Palantir was represented by a lobbying firm founded by Mandelson, Iain Overton and Max Colbert report
bylinetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:41 PM
If Mandelson is being investigated for his Epstein connections, he must also be investigated for his Thiel connections, because they ran a joint fund when Mandelson fixed Starmer's visit to Palantir
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.
January 14, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Exclusive: Family income data is to replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Exclusive: Family income data is to replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
Reposted by Ian Stokes
School leaders are still facing problems with the government’s AI-generated attendance reports, despite them being re-issued after errors – as a government leader cautions 'no model is perfect'
schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-stil...
schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-stil...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 5:05 AM
School leaders are still facing problems with the government’s AI-generated attendance reports, despite them being re-issued after errors – as a government leader cautions 'no model is perfect'
schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-stil...
schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-stil...
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Exclusive: Ofsted's demand that schools provide graded self-evaluations will add to the stress staff face around inspection, heads' leaders warn
Schools grading themselves is 'almost impossible', heads warn Ofsted
Ofsted's expectation that schools provide a graded self-evaluation using its new five-point scale has sparked warnings from heads' leaders
www.tes.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Exclusive: Ofsted's demand that schools provide graded self-evaluations will add to the stress staff face around inspection, heads' leaders warn
Reposted by Ian Stokes
I am outraged that apparently jews are not welcome at football matches in Tel Aviv (am I doing this right?)
news.sky.com/story/tel-av...
news.sky.com/story/tel-av...
Tel Aviv football derby cancelled as 'violent riots' see nine arrested
Police said dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, injuring 12 civilians and three police officers.
news.sky.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I am outraged that apparently jews are not welcome at football matches in Tel Aviv (am I doing this right?)
news.sky.com/story/tel-av...
news.sky.com/story/tel-av...
Some impressive cognitive dissonance being displayed by DfE here:
"Ban smart phones in schools"
*and*
"encourage schools to use AI tutors for students"
"Ban smart phones in schools"
*and*
"encourage schools to use AI tutors for students"
Exclusive: The government wants to look at ways to encourage schools to use AI tutors for students
DfE to encourage AI tutors in schools
But England’s largest education union warns against ‘tutoring on a shoestring’ and says many disadvantaged students need direct contact with teachers
www.tes.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Some impressive cognitive dissonance being displayed by DfE here:
"Ban smart phones in schools"
*and*
"encourage schools to use AI tutors for students"
"Ban smart phones in schools"
*and*
"encourage schools to use AI tutors for students"
90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN.
Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
The government will set a new national 'ambition' for 90 per cent of pupils to reach the expected standard in phonics, Bridget Phillipson will reveal today
schoolsweek.co.uk/national-amb...
schoolsweek.co.uk/national-amb...
Phillipson to reveal phonics check national 'ambition'
The government will set a new “ambition” for 90 per cent of pupils to reach the expected standard in phonics, Bridget Phillipson will reveal tomorrow. The education secretary will also officially…
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 7:05 AM
90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN.
Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
Reposted by Ian Stokes
To be clear, the average reading age in the UK is 9 years old.
Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK
Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK
www.independent.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 12:06 PM
To be clear, the average reading age in the UK is 9 years old.
Reposted by Ian Stokes
A 'locality clusters' funding model is being considered as part of government reforms to the special needs system, but what is it, and what are the benefits and risks?
Schools Week investigates…
Schools Week investigates…
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 4:30 AM
A 'locality clusters' funding model is being considered as part of government reforms to the special needs system, but what is it, and what are the benefits and risks?
Schools Week investigates…
Schools Week investigates…
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Progress in returning to pre-pandemic phonics test results has stifled this year, while gaps widen for SEN and disadvantaged pupils
Disadvantaged pupils see drop in phonics results
And overall progress since the pandemic has plateaued
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Progress in returning to pre-pandemic phonics test results has stifled this year, while gaps widen for SEN and disadvantaged pupils
Reposted by Ian Stokes
⚖️ 'Done right, this could finally give school leaders, inspectors and parents a tool that truly reflects the reality of teaching and learning across diverse communities'
@yorkshire-steve.bsky.social
@yorkshire-steve.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 5:17 AM
⚖️ 'Done right, this could finally give school leaders, inspectors and parents a tool that truly reflects the reality of teaching and learning across diverse communities'
@yorkshire-steve.bsky.social
@yorkshire-steve.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now
By Nick Hodgkinson
By Nick Hodgkinson
The People v Leeds Bradford Airport – the conflict continues
Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now
By Nick Hodgkinson
By Nick Hodgkinson
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school
White paper to usher in year 8 reading test
Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests
Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests
Proposal aims to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children and improve schools’ focus on reading
Pupils at state schools in England will face new reading tests in an attempt to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children.
The government’s forthcoming white paper on schools is to include a new test of reading ability for pupils in year 8, aged 12 or 13, in an effort to encourage secondary schools to improve their teaching. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests
Reposted by Ian Stokes
September 13, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Ian Stokes
🚨Breaking: Apprenticeships will shift to the Department for Work and Pensions in the Whitehall skills policy shakeup, Jacqui Smith confirms
feweek.co.uk/dwp-will-tak...
feweek.co.uk/dwp-will-tak...
DWP will take over apprenticeships policy, minister confirms
Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships will give "bigger emphasis on skills", Jacqui Smith claims
feweek.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🚨Breaking: Apprenticeships will shift to the Department for Work and Pensions in the Whitehall skills policy shakeup, Jacqui Smith confirms
feweek.co.uk/dwp-will-tak...
feweek.co.uk/dwp-will-tak...
Reposted by Ian Stokes
Exclusive: Ofsted is refusing to publish consultation data showing how many people opposed its new report card inspections, despite pledging transparency over the high-profile reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-refus...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-refus...
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Exclusive: Ofsted is refusing to publish consultation data showing how many people opposed its new report card inspections, despite pledging transparency over the high-profile reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-refus...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-refus...
Reposted by Ian Stokes
🖥️ Exclusive: A management information system (MIS) outage at a major supplier has left schools unable to pay suppliers, run after-school clubs and respond to safeguarding concerns
MIS outage leaves schools in the lurch
Major supplier apologises as schools unable to pay suppliers and respond to safeguarding concerns
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🖥️ Exclusive: A management information system (MIS) outage at a major supplier has left schools unable to pay suppliers, run after-school clubs and respond to safeguarding concerns
Reposted by Ian Stokes
My super-talented friend, former colleague (and former student!) Adam Gillett has just published his first book, focusing on “nurture the wellbeing of staff to retain valuable educators and create positive learning environments, ensure academic success and address student needs.”
amzn.eu/d/dMKlJBK
amzn.eu/d/dMKlJBK
Opening the CAGE: A Framework for Teacher Wellbeing: Amazon.co.uk: Gillett, Adam: 9781032781334: Books
Buy Opening the CAGE: A Framework for Teacher Wellbeing 1 by Gillett, Adam (ISBN: 9781032781334) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.eu
September 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
My super-talented friend, former colleague (and former student!) Adam Gillett has just published his first book, focusing on “nurture the wellbeing of staff to retain valuable educators and create positive learning environments, ensure academic success and address student needs.”
amzn.eu/d/dMKlJBK
amzn.eu/d/dMKlJBK
Reposted by Ian Stokes
On the same day in the Telegraph:
![The Telegraph
Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement
Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty
Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence
[Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday]
Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent
29 August 2025 8:57am BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihe5mm7nwmwvzhtgadmsafyvsaxhrufuai2d2j2rju5zt6g2lytea)
![The Telegraph
Money > Property > Second homes
How to avoid tax on your second home
From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net
[Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto]
Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer
29 August 2025 1:21pm BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreieuwgc2vsmyfcctmf4cnpcqckij2pqdk2gmzajpnihrsqyqmzyr5e)
September 5, 2025 at 7:55 AM
On the same day in the Telegraph:
Reposted by Ian Stokes
NEW POST: DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development
We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of pupils reaching a good level of development.
vist.ly/45k4m
We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of pupils reaching a good level of development.
vist.ly/45k4m
DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development - FFT Education Datalab
We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of the percentage of pupils reaching a good level of development (GLD) at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
September 4, 2025 at 8:58 AM
NEW POST: DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development
We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of pupils reaching a good level of development.
vist.ly/45k4m
We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of pupils reaching a good level of development.
vist.ly/45k4m