School Management Plus meets Jeanette Cochrane, the new chief executive of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), who explains why she decided to pursue a career in education and her path into teaching. As she works hard to get to know the sector and its leaders, Ms Cochrane says: "It’s really important as I grow into this role that the voices of girls and people who know them best are at the centre of policy and educational and societal discussions." By Irena Barker. 

Writing in Tes, Rob Ford, executive headteacher of Perrott Hill British Schools in Prague, says the UK’s agreement with the European Union to rejoin Erasmus+ from 2027 opens up a host of opportunities for young people and educators. He says: "It’s a divisive world in so many ways at present, so it’s wonderful to see an example of collaboration and community within education return and give young people across the world the opportunity to make connections with one another." Perrott Hill British Schools in Prague is part of the Perrott Hill Education group, an international network that includes Perrott Hill School in the UK. 

At least two school-aged children are dying every month from knife injuries in England, with most fatalities resulting from a single stab wound, new national analysis has revealed. The alarming trend shows a rise in knife-related deaths among under-17s, from 21 in 2019-20 to 36 in 2023-24. The findings draw on studies by Bristol Medical School and data from the National Child Mortality Database, hospital, social care, and police records. Commenting on the analysis, researcher and lead author Dr Tom Roberts from North Bristol NHS Trust said: "Knife-related fatalities among children and young people are a significant public health concern." By Rod Minchin, The Independent. 

The pressure to secure school places in Cornwall for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has left 73 children unsure of which school they will be attending this autumn. ITV News reports that, in February, Cornwall Council needed to meet a legal deadline to tell families where their primary school children will go next but has faced difficulties in finding specialist places. The number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in the county has also risen sharply, from 4,700 in Oct 2024 to 5,600 to date. The broadcaster speaks to Joseph Adams, an 11-year-old from Liskeard who has autism and needs additional support during the school day. Joseph said he has written a letter of complaint to Cornwall Council telling them he feels "scared and anxious and sometimes sick" amid the delays and uncertainty over his future school place. By Charlotte Gay. 

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