Edroom

What everyone's talking about

A weekly snapshot of what school leaders are discussing online, ranked by volume of conversation.

This is what people are discussing, not evidence. Each topic is labelled.

Week of 2026-10-23

  1. Verified

    Antisemitism in schools: Bell review and DfE response

    DfE (21 Oct 2026) published Sir David Bell's review and accepted all 27 recommendations, including stronger KCSIE and political impartiality guidance and leader training.

    Primary sources: gov.uk

  2. Verified

    Ofsted report cards under pressure

    Ofsted's similar-schools analysis and complaint review pilot are on gov.uk; the 5% mixed-grade figure is a Tes/FFT Datalab analysis of 2,452 inspections, not an Ofsted statistic.

    Primary sources: gov.uk

  3. Verified

    SEND reform: timing of the February plans

    Powell (15 Oct) reaffirmed the reforms but DfE has not yet published its consultation response or a new timetable; proposed dates (Sept 2029/2030) still stand per Tes.

    Primary sources: gov.uk

  4. Verified

    Oracy and the curriculum

    Powell announced oracy will get equal status with reading and writing as a new English curriculum strand; no date or assessment design yet.

    Primary sources: gov.uk

  5. Verified

    Disadvantage gaps widen (EYFS)

    DfE EYFS profile 2025/26 (22 Oct): GLD up to 72.3%, but FSM gap 21.6pp (54.8% vs 76.4%), widening for a fourth year per Tes; the secondary maths claim is unchecked research reporting.

    Primary sources: explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk

  6. Verified

    Safeguarding: KCSIE late changes and Prevent

    KCSIE 2026 applies from 1 Sept; 'late changes left policies out of date' is leaders' view (Tes), and the Children's Commissioner's Prevent evidence to the Southport Inquiry is reported by Tes, backed by her August report.

    Primary sources: gov.uk

  7. Verified

    DfE permanent secretary change

    Susan Acland-Hood leaves for a role outside government; Simon Ridley (Home Office) starts as DfE permanent secretary in November.

    Primary sources: gov.uk

  8. Verified

    Schools not rushing to join MATs (NGA survey)

    NGA's 2026 governance survey (3,000+ responses, June): 12% of maintained/SAT boards decided to join a MAT, down from 15%, lowest since 2020; a self-selecting survey.

    Primary sources: nga.org.uk