The Education Brief: Wednesday 8 October 2025 - Top stories include:
Former Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman blasted the watchdog’s new “report card” reforms.
The DfE has announced sweeping cuts to teacher-training bursaries from 2026.
The government has commissioned new “best practice” guidance to help mainstream schools set up and run SEN and pupil support units.
The DfE is scrapping funding for state schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
AI-written questions will be trialled in SATs moderator tests to cut costs and reduce workload.
Round Up for Schools:
Ofsted’s inspection engagement programme
refreshed DfE privacy notice templates
2025–26 assessment calendar (KS2 tests 11–14 May 2026)
the NPQ application deadline on 16 Oct (single window this year)
HEP Updates:
Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAaH3pH9--Y
Listening - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/memory-is-the-residue-of-thought-daniel-willingham/id1516532537?i=1000729829579
Reading - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-quiet-ofsted-plan-that-could-revolutionise-inspection-fairness/
AI Tool - https://artlist.io/
