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Kyle Tormey

@ktorm-social1.bsky.social
279 followers 767 following 89 posts

Education journalist at Tes. X: @ktormreport Tips: kyle.tormey@tes.com

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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Schools to teach vocational GCSEs from 2029, govt confirms. Quals regulated by Ofqual and replace existing Tech Awards. Performance measures to be adapted and consultation later this year. Govt insists technical pathways still start from 2028. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/new-vocational-gcses-announced-technical-routes-take-shape
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Excl: 14-16 technical education pathways "not deliverable" in all schools from 2028, @munirawilson.bsky.social tells me. The Lib Dems education spokesperson says she was "amazed" at the speed of the PM's announcement in July. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Technical pathways in schools ‘not deliverable’ by 2028
Liberal Democrats’ education spokesperson Munira Wilson tells Tes she is ‘amazed’ at the pace of the government’s vocational education plans
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Excl: Systems in place to create the best behaviour in schools ever, the govt's lead behaviour adviser tells me. Tom Bennett talks exclusions, SEND, criticisms, attendance & behaviour hubs - and how to evaluate latest behaviour policy iteration. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/tom-bennett-interview-send-exclusions-behaviour
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Excl: Education Sec Lucy Powell tells @cerysturner.bsky.social of hope to move away from "dog eat dog" culture in favour of a more collaborative system. Powell also provides details on 14-16 vocational studies announced by the PM in July. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Powell: No more ‘dog eat dog’ culture between schools
Education secretary tells Tes she is ‘agnostic’ about school structures as she sets out her ambitions for technical education
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Excl: Inclusive schools "damaged" as analysis shows those with larger proportion of pupils with SEND consistently graded lower across Ofsted's evaluation areas, including on inclusion. @tesmagazine.bsky.social Story @johngroberts.bsky.social @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/high-send-schools-more-likely-miss-ofsted-inclusion-standard
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New: At current delivery rates, the govt's free breakfast clubs scheme won’t reach all primaries until 2033 - four years past the 2029 pledge. DfE says 2,700 clubs are open, leaving roughly 14,000 without one and under three years to deliver. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
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
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
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...
tes.com
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’
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
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...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Heads are demanding "absolute clarity" after Education Sec Lucy Powell wrote to the Commons Select Committee insinuating that new or reformed qualifications at GCSE level may be required to aid technical pathways announced in July. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Leaders demand clarity as Powell proposes new tech qualifications
After the education secretary’s suggestion that brand new GCSE-level qualifications may be created for flagship technical routes policy, school leaders warn of need for extra funding and training
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Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Reporter @ktorm-social1.bsky.social breaks down this year’s GCSE results by subject: 🔹 Reductions in pass rates for English and maths 🔹 Better grades in languages 🔹 All sciences saw an uptick in top grades awarded
tes.com
Which GCSE subject delivered the most top grades in 2026?
Tes analyses the subject-by-subject changes in exam results in England, including reductions in pass rates for English and maths and better grades in languages
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Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Reporter @ktorm-social1.bsky.social breaks down this year’s A-level results by subject: ♦️ Maths and English literature saw a bigger increase in A*/As ♦️ Boys recorded more top grades in all sciences ♦️ Psychology was the second most popular subject
tes.com
Which A-level subjects recorded the highest grades in 2026?
Maths and English literature both saw a bigger increase in top A-level grades this year than the marginal rise recorded across all subjects
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Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
This year’s A-level results show that the regional divide in students getting the top grades in England has widened again – and also reveal an increase in the top grades awarded and in the overall pass rate
tes.com
A-level results 2026: regional divide grows again
Today’s A-level results for England also reveal increases in the top grades awarded and in the overall pass rate
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
After the PM announced new technical pathways for Year 10, @teachertapp.bsky.social data shared with Tes reveals over a quarter of schools offer no KS4 vocational qualifications - and they’re more common in less affluent schools. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
After a major education policy shakeup the sector is left with far more questions than answers. @tesmagazine.bsky.social summarises what we know about new technical education pathways and what remains unanswered. @cerysturner.bsky.social @johngroberts.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
New technical routes for schools: what we do and don’t know
A huge announcement on secondary education was made by Andy Burnham last night, begging a raft of questions. We set out the answers the sector needs and the detail - where it exists - we know already
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Henry Hepburn @henryhepburn.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
'Compatible' teaching of RE and science could boost interest in Stem - @ktorm-social1.bsky.social reports www.tes.com/magazine/new... @ucl.ac.uk @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
‘Compatible’ teaching of RE and science could boost interest in Stem
Many secondary students do not see science and religion as ‘contradictory’, UCL research suggests - and ‘connected’ teaching of the subjects can encourage further Stem studies
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Excl: DfE accused of showing “scant regard” for schools after publishing significant policy updates just weeks before the end of term. @tesmagazine.bsky.social Story with @jabedahmed.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Late DfE policy dump ‘shows scant regard’ for schools
Schools tell Tes they have been left with little time to implement significant policy changes on safeguarding, enrichment and attendance after the DfE released substantial updates late in the summer t...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Excl: Despite gov’t backing a social media ban & the NCA advising parents against sharing photos of kids, most schools post pupils' photos on socials. If a ban goes ahead, kids won't consent to being posted or legally be able to view the photos. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Most primary schools post pictures of pupils on social media
As new National Crime Agency guidance warns parents against posting images of their children online, Teacher Tapp research reveals most schools show pictures of pupils on public platforms
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Excl: Exam board OCR stands by decision not to re-mark GCSE paper despite an upheld complaint from Ofqual and pressure from Tories. OCR says it wishes to protect the “integrity” of exams and the watchdog considers the matter ongoing. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
OCR defends decision not to re-mark controversial GCSE paper
Exam board’s managing director, in an exclusive Tes interview, says that despite a complaint being upheld by Ofqual and pressure from Tories, it cannot award marks for ‘incorrect answers’
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Excl: More than 1/3 schools inspected by Ofsted this year are facing monitoring inspections - more than double the proportion under the previous framework. Heads say this is exactly what they had warned about. Story @cerysturner.bsky.social @johngroberts.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
More than 1 in 3 inspected schools face Ofsted monitoring
Tes analysis reveals a big increase in Ofsted monitoring inspections, prompting warnings about school leaders’ wellbeing and inspector workload
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
With new guidance on pupils questioning their gender, AI-generated deepfakes, data protection and more, schools have just two weeks of term and 54 days in total to implement significant changes to safeguarding policies required under KCSIE. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
KCSIE changes for 2026: what you need to know
Updated safeguarding guidance has now been published, with schools expected to be fully compliant by 1 September
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
New: 2010-15 coalition gov't was wrong to “neglect” the Sure Start strategy, its former education sec Lord Gove has said. Speaking at @csjthinktank.bsky.social NEET crisis panel, he said Bridget Phillipson is right to focus on school-readiness. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Gove: Coalition government wrong to ‘neglect’ Sure Start
Speaking on a panel with the author of the review into the Neet problem, the former Conservative education secretary says Bridget Phillipson is right in prioritising school readiness
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Excl: Key Stage 2 Sats results are set to be delayed by a minimum of a week, Tes understands. Schools were expecting the data next Tuesday, but issues with marking and IT systems have resulted in a postponement. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
KS2 Sats results delayed by at least a week
Primary schools were due to receive the assessment results next Tuesday but there will be a delay because of problems with marking and IT systems
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Cerys Turner @cerysturner.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
🚨EXCL: Teachers will get a 3.5% pay deal for the upcoming year. - Schools to fund the first 1% - A further 3% offered for 2027-28 More from @tesmagazine.bsky.social: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
New: DfE's influencer spend tops £700k since 2024, raising questions over gov't priorities from shadow education sec Laura Trott. For Lib Dems' Munira Wilson, it's a “kick in the teeth”. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/dfe-spending-on-social-media-influencers-criticised
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Henry Hepburn @henryhepburn.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Have schools been put into an attendance trap? Important piece from @ktorm-social1.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Have schools been put into an attendance trap?
New guidance on communicating with parents about absence leaves schools with the ‘all but impossible’ task of improving attendance without being able to hold families to account, warn leaders
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Amid increasing attendance targets and a sharper policy focus, new guidance tells schools to strike a collegiate tone with parents, but leaders say the task is “all but impossible”. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/headteachers-warn-dfe-over-school-attendance-guidance
magazine-cms.tes.com
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Excl: Exam board AQA has apologised after a mistake was identified in its GCSE science papers. AQA notified schools this afternoon and said it can ensure no pupils were disadvantaged. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
AQA apologises for mistake in 'all versions' of GCSE science paper
In correspondence seen by Tes, England's largest exam board tells exams officers it has reported the issue to Ofqual and will ensure no students are disadvantaged
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Excl: Exam board Pearson halted marking on a GCSE higher-tier maths exam after saying it wasn’t “confident” marks were being correctly recorded. Pearson tells Tes the issue is now fixed with no impact on accuracy. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Technical issues halt marking of GCSE maths paper
Pearson Edexcel says marking has now resumed and there has been no impact on its ‘accuracy or integrity’, after issues emerged last night
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Excl: One in ten schools’ rejected government offers of “enhanced support” through attendance and behaviour hubs. @ascl-uk.bsky.social says schools may not be confident the support available is suitable, while the DfE is “not concerned”. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Rejected: 1 in 10 offers of extra attendance and behaviour help
Schools targeted for help under DfE scheme may feel 'unfairly stigmatised', says heads' leader
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
2026 GCSE and A level entries data reveals reductions in entries for 8/15 EBacc subjects and higher uptake in 9/17 non-Ebacc qualifications. Combined science remains the most popular GCSE and maths the A level with highest entry figures. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
New: The DfE is now citing Taylor Swift gig‑related absences among Year 9–10 girls as evidence for a tougher line on “one‑off” days off. The new focus comes after the latest official data showed severe absences reached a record high last year. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
DfE highlights Taylor Swift gig in crackdown on ‘one-off’ absences
Government publishes the research behind its plans to curb one-day absences, alongside a new parental communications guide for schools to help keep messaging ‘useful’
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Fewer assessments, rather than shorter exams, the answer to reducing the burden? Tes analysis shows most schools already avoid the longest GCSE assessments. @ascl-uk.bsky.social says fewer papers, not “tinkering”, is the better solution. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Schools lack scope to cut exam time as most pick shorter papers
Ofqual says schools can cut exam times by choosing different awarding bodies, but Tes analysis reveals that, in most cases, this isn't an option – and school leaders are now calling for the number of ...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Tes analysis shows trusts with more disadvantaged & SEND pupils face deficits up to 75% higher — a £320 per‑pupil gap. Experts say the funding and accountability system is failing schools. www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/academy-trusts-higher-disadvantage-and-send-face-bigger-financial-deficits
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
The CEO of England's third largest exam board recently told Tes that schools have raised concerns over students' capacity to "engage" with on-screen assessments, and raised doubts over presumptions that all young people are "digital natives". @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Students lack skills for on-screen assessment, warns exam board boss
In an exclusive interview with Tes, Eduqas CEO Ian Morgan talks about the risks of moving to on-screen assessment, the use of AI to mark exams and the debate over how long exams should be
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Henry Hepburn @henryhepburn.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Revealed: the trickiest times-table question faced in schools www.tes.com/magazine/new... @ktorm-social1.bsky.social @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Revealed: the trickiest times-table question faced in schools
Findings come shortly before the statutory multiplication tables check opens for schools' Year 4 pupils
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
KCSIE highlights how critical the DSL role is but doesn’t require supervision - it only says that schools "should" provide support. Leaders say DSLs are at risk of burnout and call for "protected time" to deliver the supervision needed. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
DSLs suffer 'vicarious trauma' and need supervision, say leaders
Designated safeguarding leads should be given 'protected time' for supervision support to help them cope with the stresses of the job, leaders tell a Tes safeguarding event
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Tes’ excellent graphics dep’t created this extremely handy timeline of all the key changes schools can be expected to implement over the next year. @jasminenorden.bsky.social also sets things out very well here: @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Excellent piece by @johngroberts.bsky.social assessing the tension between Ofsted findings and inclusion in schools. Data says nearly 90% of schools meet the expected standard but policymakers appear to want major changes. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Are schools as inclusive as Ofsted grades suggest?
Almost nine in 10 schools are making the grade in Ofsted’s inclusion checks - but is the system working?
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Excl: Shadow education secretary Laura Trott has written to Ofqual and OCR asking why an upheld complaint didn't lead to “regulatory intervention", and raised exam‑system “confidence” concerns with schools minister Georgia Gould. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Tories demand ‘corrective action’ over GCSE maths complaint
Shadow education secretary raises concerns over confidence in exams system and impact on results, as she calls for regulator to do more following upheld maths complaint
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Should schools be given more time to implement safeguarding requirements? DSLs tell Tes the proposed KCSIE changes feel like a “significant overhaul” and raise concerns about the timeframe for compliance. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
‘Significant overhaul’ to KCSIE leaves schools with ‘unrealistic’ deadline
Safeguarding leaders tell Tes the proposed changes to the official guidance are more extensive than in previous years and will demand more time for implementation
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
After the Curriculum & Assessment Review proposed shorter GCSE exams, Ofqual chief Sir Ian Bauckham said schools can already cut exam time. Tes analysis shows some reductions are possible — but leaders warn it shouldn’t fall to schools, arguing change must be systemic.
tes.com
Schools can lead the way in cutting exam times - but should they?
Tes analysis shows schools can cut the time GCSE students spend in exams, a current government and Ofqual priority - although leaders are cautioning against shifting the responsibility to schools
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John Roberts @johngroberts.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Really good piece by @ktorm-social1.bsky.social investigating the rise in suspensions among primary school pupils. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
The complex story behind rising suspensions in primary schools
Suspensions have risen in primary schools but fallen in secondaries. Here, education leaders tell Tes what they think is behind the contrasting trends
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Henry Hepburn @henryhepburn.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
What's behind rising suspensions in England's primary schools? Great piece by @ktorm-social1.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new... @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
The complex story behind rising suspensions in primary schools
Suspensions have risen in primary schools but fallen in secondaries. Here, education leaders tell Tes what they think is behind the contrasting trends
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Excl: Secondary suspensions remain far higher than in primaries, but Autumn term data suggests secondaries have curbed the post‑Covid surge while primaries have not. Leaders tell Tes why this might be. www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/rise-primary-suspensions-rise-fuels-concern-among-leaders
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Ministers say “not seen, not heard” policies are outlawed, but ambiguity remains over whether they breach the new phones guidance. @tommiddlehurst.bsky.social told MPs it would be “foolish” to ban the policy in schools where proven effective. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Banning ‘not seen, not heard’ phone policies would be foolish, MPs told
Government under pressure to go further with its restrictions on phones in schools - but unions warn of the cost of solutions such as introducing lockable pouches for devices
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Excl: Research shows schools spend 100+ hours a week managing phone usage. As the gov’t moves to make guidance statutory, leaders say practical hurdles on storage and staffing still stand. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/phones-law-what-would-it-mean-schools
magazine-cms.tes.com
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Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
An independent inquiry triggered after a Jewish MP’s visit to a Bristol school was postponed last year has concluded that neither the school nor the trust involved are antisemitic
tes.com
McVittie review: No evidence of antisemitism at Bristol Brunel Academy
Independent review finds that lobbying groups did not influence the school or trust in the decision to postpone a Jewish MP’s visit last year
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Education minister Olivia Bailey met with resistance after telling MPs the gov't “already solved” the problem of phones in schools this week. A day later, the PM told tech leaders the risks children face on social media “can’t go on like this”. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Banning phones in schools 'already solved', claims minister
Education minister Olivia Bailey comes under fire as MPs reject Lords' proposal for a statutory ban on phones in schools
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Nursery expansion funding should better focus on areas of high deprivation, DfE told. Tes analysis shows most successful schools have fewer FSM pupils than the national average. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
Deprived schools need bigger share of nurseries cash, DfE told
Most of the schools successful in applying for the grant to open new nurseries have fewer FSM pupils than the national average, Tes analysis reveals
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Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Exam board OCR is resisting calls to re-mark a question on its GCSE maths paper, despite Ofqual upholding a complaint. The complainant, who wished to remain anonymous, said some students may unnecessarily resit this year as a result. @tesmagazine.bsky.social
tes.com
Pressure for GCSE maths re-mark after Ofqual upholds complaint
Exam board OCR apologises for ‘inconsistencies in our past materials’ but insists there were ‘no errors’ in maths question - prompting a petition for papers to be re-marked
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