Blog

In an era of increasing pressure on education budgets, evolving policy frameworks, and a growing demand for specialist support, the Tes SEND Show returns this October with renewed purpose: to empower, inspire and equip the SEND community. Read ASCL SEND and Inclusion Specialist, Margaret Mulholland's latest blog. 

ASCL Associates member John Lomas shares details of a successful project in the Solent Region (Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton) which brings businesses, schools and pupils together to understand how what is learnt in the classroom is relevant to the world of work.

Effective alternative provision relies on strong relationships between pupils and staff but how best to go about implementation? Amy Husband of ASCL Premier Partner Academy21 explores some of the strategies in her guest blog. 

Providing support and care for all ASCL members is at the heart of the ASCL Benevolent Fund’s work. In this blog, outgoing Chair Lesley Cooper highlights the work of the Fund and some of the ways it has helped members who have found themselves in difficulty. 

With the increasing importance of decarbonisation in the sector, solar PV systems are becoming an impactful technology for driving down energy costs and carbon emissions. But what strategic approach should school and college leaders take when considering solar? Robert Gould, Partner at ASCL Premier Partner Barker, shares practical advice in his guest blog.

Headteacher and ASCL President 2024-25, Manny Botwe, and his school recently agreed to take part in a trial pilot of Ofsted's controversial new framework. In this blog, Manny shares his experiences of the visit. 

This blog features a recent conversation between Steve Playford, ASCL leadership consultant, and Sarah Holman, Headteacher of Eggars School, as they reflect on their coaching journey and what it feels like to step into headship in 2025. 

Alternative provision in primary presents unique challenges. In her guest blog, Amy Husband of ASCL Premier Partner Academy21, shares five tips for successful implementation of primary alternative provision in your school.

ASCL is proud to be an official partner of this year's Schools & Acadamies Show. ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di'Iasio will be addressing delegates on 15 May at the event in London, and in this blog, he highlights some of the issues he will cover in his keynote. 

In the final blog in her three-part series, Tarina Chow, Executive Business Manager of a SEND-specialist MAT, shares her trust’s experiences in engaging pupils in a wide range of activities and initiatives to help them engage with sustainability and bring it to life. 

There’s no doubt that providing breakfast clubs in primary schools is a good idea, so why does the government’s direction of travel in this policy area raise so many concerns, asks Chief Education Officer Annette Montague in her guest blog. 

How can we best support students back into the classroom after school holidays? In this guest blog, Amy Husband of ASCL Premier Partner Academy21 shares insights and advice for a more settled transition back to learning.  

ASCL consultant and coach Steve Playford speaks with headteacher Sarah Holman and shares insights that may resonate with those in their first year of headship, aspiring headteachers, or those reflecting on their leadership journey. 

In part 2 of her three-part blog series on sustainability, Tarina Chow, Executive Business Manager of a SEND-specialist MAT shares more details of her trust’s sustainability journey, including resources and CPD. 

Sam Holderness of ASCL Premier Partner Academy21 highlights how MATs and schools are using digital solutions to enhance inclusion and address challenges such as staff shortages and rising student needs. 

Prioritising a diverse curriculum and inclusive culture is essential to building an environment where every student and colleague feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. EDI Leaders’ Network member Gemma Hathaway shares the evidence and different approaches used by her trust to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all. 

The government's recent announcement that Trust Capacity Funding is being withdrawn has prompted ASCL Vice President Stephen Brierley to reflect on collaboration, and whether in the long-term, making collaboration harder to achieve might eventually be seen as a mistake.

Following the recent change in government, now is the time to reflect on the progress made in governance and forming partnerships with other education settings, as well as explore what the future might hold for collaborative systems, writes ASCL’s Thomas Freeney.

Discover how assistive technologies are transforming classrooms, making learning accessible for every student. Learn how to implement these tools in your school and join us at ASCL's "Leading On: How Assistive Technologies Can Empower Every Learner" event. 

Promoting languages in your school isn’t just about fulfilling curriculum requirements but raising aspirations and giving all students a gateway to the wider world. In this guest blog, Philip Harding-Esch shares how the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), Languages Hubs, and ASCL can help your school give your GCSE languages a boost.