Issue 132 - 2024 Autumn term

Labour promised a sea of changes in the party’s election manifesto, but how is this playing out so far for education and what challenges lie ahead? Here General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio takes a deeper look.

At ASCL we put our members front and centre of everything we do. Here’s our annual report in which we set out what we’ve been doing on your behalf over the past year.

Headteacher Manny Botwe says he’s incredibly proud and delighted to be your ASCL President. Here he shares his passion for education and leadership, and his mission to ensure a brighter future for all children and young people.

Supporting your professional interests is the cornerstone of our work. In this piece, ASCL’s Richard Tanton offers a recap of yet another busy year for his team, dedicated to advising and representing school, college, and trust leaders.

ASCL’s Tom Middlehurst shares insights from our recent exams survey and the worrying reasons why we may need urgent reform.

As leaders, we pride ourselves on looking after others, but who’s checking in on you? Here, headteacher turned counsellor, Helen Loughran, shares tips and advice on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

ASCL Director of Policy Julie McCulloch shines a spotlight on the new climate at the Department for Education.

ASCL Primary and Data Specialist Tiffnie Harris provides an overview of the national picture now that SATs results have landed.

ASCL Post-16 and Colleges Specialist Kevin Gilmartin examines the history behind the personal statement and why it’s now changing.

ASCL Business Leadership Specialist Emma Harrison shines a spotlight on the incoming new procurement regulations.

Denise Inwood, Managing Director of BlueSky, provides an overview of the DfE’s new Teacher Appraisal Guidance.

ASCL has been quoted widely in the media over the recent period on a range of issues.

Head Teacher of a Pupil Referral Service Lisa Balderstone shares her passion for Council and school leadership, and her collection of the finest malt whisky.

If you were the new Secretary of State for Education, what would you do? Here ASCL members have their say.

The fund is here to support you when you most need it.

Continue to be part of our great community when you retire from a school or college leadership role with ASCL Associate membership.

ASCL is committed to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) among school, college and trust leaders, and in our own organisation.

In the words of Shakespeare, Principal Carl Smith describes the reaction of people upon discovering one is a headteacher – “And every tale condemns me for a villain”.