
What do schools need to know this term?
What do schools need to know this term?
Change is constant in the education sector, and this term is no different. From Ofsted and pay reviews, to structural shifts like RISE and curriculum reform, school leaders face a challenging time. Here’s what’s currently happening across the sector.
Ofsted: A new framework
One of the current major developments is the proposed shift in Ofsted inspections. Ofsted's new approach includes a five-point scale to grade different areas. These include:
- Exemplary (introduced as the highest rating to help recognise and promote excellence)
- Strong
- Secure
- Attention needed
- Causing concern
This scale is part of a set of proposed changes to streamline inspections. Other proposed changes to the Ofsted inspection model include:
The Ofsted report card
A new format will give more information about standards across key school areas, early years, and further education, moving beyond a single headline grade.
Returning to schools with identified weaknesses
Ofsted proposes that schools with an identified need for improvement will receive monitoring calls and visits to check that action is being taken to raise standards.
Increasing focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable learners
Greater emphasis will be on how schools support SEND learners and underprivileged pupils.
Contextualised and tailored inspections
New toolkits and guidance will help inspectors tailor their approach to the school’s phase and type, with more weight given to local context and individual circumstances.
Ofsted plans to introduce the new inspection framework on 1st November 2025. The consultation closed at the end of last month, but Ofsted has not yet published a response. This is causing concern among school leaders. Many hope the response will be available before the end of the summer term.
From autumn 2025, it’s proposed that Ofsted will no longer carry out ungraded inspections of state-funded schools. This means every school will know that its next routine Ofsted inspection will be a full, graded one.
Preparation is key ahead of inspection, and for many schools, that means building a strong and consistent staff team. Teaching Personnel supports schools by providing experienced
educators who understand what inspectors are looking for and are familiar with the evolving Ofsted framework demands.
This term marks the expansion of Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE), which will become the main intervention for schools needing significant improvement from September 2026.
When a school is selected for RISE support, an advisor visits the school to understand their situation. RISE advisers are education professionals with experience in school leadership and improvement. The programme selects advisers based on their track record of improving school outcomes. By April 2025, the Department had appointed 65 advisers to the programme. This marks a more than threefold increase from the original 20 at launch.
For targeted schools, it’s important to note that the Trust remains accountable for driving improvements. This shared responsibility enables school leaders to engage with RISE advisors with greater confidence, knowing the Trust is there to support the process.
Teaching Personnel can work with you to provide skilled professionals who support improvement planning and delivery. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review will release recommendations in autumn 2025. An interim report, published in March 2025, highlighted that the current system is not delivering for every pupil. The report highlights four priority areas for improvement in curriculum and assessment:
- Raising standards for all: Making curriculum and assessment more inclusive to ensure high achievement for every pupil.
- Strengthening subject-specific depth and breadth: Ensuring each subject delivers deep knowledge and remains up to date.
- Adapting to social and technological change: Preparing pupils for the future with digital skills, media literacy, and an understanding of global challenges like AI and climate change.
- Improving post-GCSE pathways: Ensuring that routes to further study or employment work for all learners, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.
The next stage of the review will build on these areas, addressing subject-specific questions around content specificity, relevance, volume, and diversity.
The measure in the current Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to require academy schools to teach the national curriculum will not take effect until after the review has been completed and a new national curriculum is in place. This means that any changes to the national curriculum for academy schools won’t take effect until September 2026 at the earliest.
This gives schools time to reflect and plan. While we await the outcome, Teaching Personnel can support you with subject specialists and curriculum-aligned resources to keep your teaching consistent and high-quality.
Pay and funding: Budget pressures mount
Schools are waiting for the government’s response to the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) teacher pay award recommendation. Six months ago the government proposed a 2.8% pay increase for 2025-26, yet the size of the uplift is still yet to be decided . This leaves schools with a budgeting headache. With school budgets already stretched, particularly in alternative provision (AP), the uncertainty around funding is challenging for those managing budgets.
Spending review: Looking ahead
In the 2024 autumn budget, the Chancellor set out the outcome of Phase 1 of the Spending Review, which confirmed departmental budgets for 2024-25 and set budgets for 2025-26. Yet, with a more challenging economic outlook forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the second phase, expected on the 11th of June, could bring tighter constraints.
Whatever the outcome, Teaching Personnel is here to help schools stay responsive and well-prepared. Our consultants support informed, strategic staffing decisions and offer tools to help you plan and make the most of your budget. Get in touch to find out how we can support your school.
School pressures: The daily reality
Beyond policy, schools continue to face daily challenges. From attendance and behaviour issues to teacher recruitment challenges, schools and teachers work with increased complexity.
Teaching Personnel works with schools every day to meet their unique challenges. That’s why we offer practical support beyond staffing, whether that’s preparing for Ofsted, navigating budgets, or building inclusive classrooms. Our Thrive training supports behaviour and wellbeing. Our SEND specialists help ensure all learners succeed. Contact us today to learn how we can support your school with experienced educators, tailored training, and practical resources.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£89.38 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Cardiff
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Cardiff
Description
Welsh Speaking Teaching Assistant Location: Cardiff, Wales Start date / Hours: September 2025 Start, Full-Time, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Salary: £89.38 per day (paid weekly via PAYE) Join O
Reference
LT 18/6 - Welsh TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Canterbury
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Canterbury
Description
Join Our Team as a 1:1 Tutor – Make a Real Impact in a Child’s Education!At Teaching Personnel, we are passionate about providing specialized 1-1 tuition to young people who are not currently in form
Reference
DL1806Canterbury
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Ashford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Kent
Description
Join Our Team as a 1:1 Tutor – Make a Real Impact in a Child’s Education!At Teaching Personnel, we are passionate about providing specialized 1-1 tuition to young people who are not currently in form
Reference
DL1806ashford
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Tonbridge
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Kent
Description
Join Our Team as a 1:1 Tutor – Make a Real Impact in a Child’s Education!At Teaching Personnel, we are passionate about providing specialized 1-1 tuition to young people who are not currently in form
Reference
DL1806Tonbridge
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Gillingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Kent
Description
Join Our Team as a 1:1 Tutor – Make a Real Impact in a Child’s Education!At Teaching Personnel, we are passionate about providing specialized 1-1 tuition to young people who are not currently in form
Reference
DL1806Gillingham
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£165 - 250 per day + PAID TO SCALE
Location free text
Birmingham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
SEN General
Location
Birmingham
Description
SEN Teachers Wanted – Join Leading SEN Schools in Birmingham Location: Birmingham Salary: Competitive, paid weekly (PAYE – no umbrella deductions) Contract Type: Full-time / Long-term / Temp-to-Perm
Reference
180625
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SENAuthor
Birmingham SENSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
North Shields
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Tyne and Wear
Description
Functional Skills Tutor – English & Maths Catch-Up Location: Home and community-based | Rate: £30–£35/hrSupport vulnerable learners aged 14–18 who are working below GCSE level. Your sessions will fo
Reference
RWNTyneFuncSkills
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£89.38 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Risca
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Caerphilly
Description
Behaviour Specialist – ASD Focus | Full-Time | NP11 Area | September Start Make a real impact in the lives of young people with autism this September.Are you passionate about supporting children wit
Reference
bp/asd/np11
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport PrimaryAuthor
Newport PrimarySalary
£166 - 200 per day
Location free text
Barry
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 5
Location
Vale of Glamorgan
Description
About the role-KS2 Teacher required for a 28 pupil strong Year 5/6 class-September start, long term role until Xmas covering a sickness-Monday to Friday 830-1530-Pay rate starts at the Welsh Governmen
Reference
Barryteachsept1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cardiff West PrimaryAuthor
Cardiff West PrimarySalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Barry
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
Vale of Glamorgan
Description
About the role-Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Teaching Assistant required-September start Mon to Fri 830-1530-Pay rate starts at £89.38, can be increased depending on qualifications / experience-Each
Reference
HltTAsep
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cardiff West PrimaryAuthor
Cardiff West PrimaryRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Unpacking SEND reform: Where are we now and what’s coming next? A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching assistants support teachers and students in the classroom. The role is invaluable and continues to grow in importance as school environments become larger and more diverse. In fact, teach
by
West Yorkshire Primary

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job