We round up the latest employment news.
AI to free up teachers’ time for pupils
The UK government has unveiled a new initiative to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into schools, aiming to reduce teacher workloads and enhance classroom learning.
Developed with input from the Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching, the guidance outlines how AI can be used safely and effectively. It emphasises that AI should support – not replace – teacher-led learning, and calls for careful oversight to ensure data protection and accuracy.
The initiative responds to a recent survey revealing that 60% of teachers want help applying AI to tasks like lesson planning, while nearly all want clearer safety guidance. In response, the Department for Education is investing £1 million through its Contracts for Innovation fund to accelerate the development of AI tools for marking and personalised feedback.
Changes to Ofsted inspection teams
Ofsted has announced a major restructuring of its inspection teams to improve consistency and relevance across schools and further education settings. The changes, set to take effect from November 2025, follow feedback from the Big Listen initiative and a recent consultation on inspection reform.
Under the new structure, all inspections will be led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) or Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) with recent HMI experience. OIs, many of whom are current practitioners, will serve as team inspectors, selected for their expertise in specific types of provision such as primary, special education, or apprenticeships.
Unregistered alternative provision becoming ‘shadow SEND system’
The Children’s Commissioner for England has raised alarm over the growing use of unregistered alternative provision (AP), warning it is becoming a “shadow SEND system” for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
According to new data, nearly 25,000 children are currently educated in unregistered AP settings, with over half holding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The number of placements has almost doubled in the past five years, often involving long-term arrangements without proper oversight.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, cautioned that, while high-quality AP can be transformative, the increasing reliance on unregulated settings risks undermining children’s safety, wellbeing, and educational outcomes.
The warning comes amid a 10% annual rise in EHCPs and delays in statutory assessments, with fewer than half completed within the required 20-week timeframe.
Ofsted proposes new definition of pupil vulnerability
Ofsted has proposed a new definition of pupil vulnerability, urging inspectors to view it as a “state, not a trait” that can shift over time and take many forms. The recommendation follows a research study commissioned by the watchdog and conducted by the National Children’s Bureau, involving around 400 participants.
The report suggests that vulnerability should be understood in terms of a person’s likelihood of experiencing negative outcomes, shaped by factors such as poverty, discrimination, local environment, relationships, and individual circumstances like health or identity. It also introduces the concept of “protective factors” that can mitigate vulnerability, such as strong support networks, inclusive practices, and safe living conditions.
Ministers pressured over potential cuts to SEND education plans
Ministers are facing growing criticism over possible cuts to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Campaigners warn that scrapping EHCPs would strip away vital legal protections, risking access to education for thousands.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson hasn't ruled out changes, calling the issue “complex and sensitive.” EHCPs have risen to over 638,000 in England, but delays persist. The Department for Education insists no decisions have been made and denies plans to cut support.
Pupils settled in special schools won’t be moved
Pupils who are “very settled” in special schools will not be forced to move under upcoming SEND reforms, a senior Department for Education official has confirmed.
Speaking to MPs, Alison Ismail, director of SEND, said the government aims to meet more needs – such as autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties – in mainstream schools. However, she stressed that children already thriving in specialist settings wouldn't be expected to relocate.
The reassurance comes amid concerns over potential changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which some fear could limit access to specialist provision. A full policy statement is expected in a schools white paper this autumn.
Early speech and language support expansion
The Department for Education has launched a £3.4 million initiative to provide earlier speech and language support for up to 20,000 children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme will deploy specialist teams across primary schools and early years settings to identify and address developmental delays before they escalate. This move is designed to respond to a sharp rise in children waiting over 12 weeks for therapy and a growing number of pupils with SEND – now totalling 1.67 million.
Family services to support 500,000 more children
The UK government has announced a major expansion of family support services, pledging to reach an additional 500,000 children through the rollout of up to 1,000 new Best Start Family Hubs by 2028.
Backed by over £500 million, the initiative aims to ensure every local authority in England has access to a hub by April 2026. These centres will offer a single point of access for services spanning health, education, and wellbeing – covering everything from breastfeeding support to housing advice and early language development.
School attendance crisis
The Education Committee will hold an evidence session on Tuesday 22 July 2025 to investigate the ongoing crisis in school attendance. Despite the end of the pandemic, one-in-five pupils in England were persistently absent in 2023/24, with severe absence affecting over 2% of students.
Key issues include:
- Unmet SEND needs
- Mental health struggles
- Poverty-related barriers; and
- Shifting parental attitudes.
The Committee will assess the effectiveness of government measures like attendance mentors, hubs, and breakfast clubs, and revisit past recommendations for reform.
Safeguarding failures in schools drop to record low
The number of schools failing safeguarding inspections has fallen to just 0.07%, according to new figures from Ofsted. This marks a significant decline in safeguarding failures across England’s schools, raising both praise and questions about inspection rigour.
So far in 2025, only three-out-of-more-than-4,000 schools inspected have failed to meet safeguarding standards. This includes:
- One in 3,370 primary schools (0.03%)
- Two in 731 secondary schools (0.27%).
However, some experts are sceptical. Former senior inspector Adrian Gray questioned whether the figures reflect genuine improvement or a softening of inspections. “Would you believe a garage that passed 99.9% of cars on an MOT?” he asked.
Read more – July 2025
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