Two sixth form teams from Kimbolton School recently gave an impressive performance at the STEM Racing Global Regional Finals. 

Competing in a one-day event against schools from across the region, Helix Racing (upper sixth) stood out among 33 teams, winning Best Pit Display and finishing runners-up in Best Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship. The team’s success reflected not only strong engineering outcomes but also high-quality presentation, teamwork, and strategic thinking. 

Meanwhile, AeroNova (lower sixth) placed third out of 17 teams in the Development Class and the team is now waiting to hear on a wildcard entry to the National Finals, which is a significant achievement at this stage of the programme. 

The competition challenged pupils to apply physics, engineering, branding, and project management skills in a real-world context, developing resilience and leadership alongside technical knowledge. 

“Our pupils showed incredible hard work, industry and a real never-say-die attitude throughout the competition,” said Cameron Holmes, head of physics at Kimbolton School. “They represented the school superbly as ambassadors, and we are immensely proud of what both teams achieved.” 

The success is already inspiring younger pupils to engage with STEM racing as part of the school’s wider enrichment offer. 

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Citizenship education is to become mandatory in primary schools when the fully revised curriculum emerges in autumn 2028. Tes considers how realistic it is to expect schools to fit a subject ranging from law to finances and media literacy into an already-full timetable. Voicing concern, Natalie Barrow, principal and Sendco at Martello Primary School in Kent, says: "Without investment in professional development and clear national guidance, schools may struggle to move beyond superficial coverage of these complex and important issues." By Cerys Turner. 

Reading School, a leading boys' grammar, has overhauled its 11+ entrance test to prioritise creativity and flair, pushing back against what its headteacher calls the "insidious" tutoring industry. Speaking to The Times, Chris Evans said the new test aims to make assessment more accessible regardless of a family’s background, cultural capital or whether the child went to independent school, enabling all applicants to showcase their ability. The paper features some of the questions asked in the school's 11+, which readers are invited to try. By Nicola Woolcock. 

Writing in School Management Plus, Chris Seal, head of Stamford School, explains the reasons why he has moved back to the UK after years leading schools abroad. He says leaving a highly regarded international school prompted confusion among colleagues, "given the introduction of VAT in January and the equally troublesome increase in National Insurance contributions". While he enjoyed living and working abroad, Mr Seal says he has no regrets about returning to head a UK independent school: "I have returned to the UK to live, work and fight for a school and style of education I believe in."

Almost one in five pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 were identified as having special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in 2024-25, according to annual Department for Education (DfE) figures published today. The latest end-of-KS4 performance data shows the percentage of students with identified SEND rising for the seventh consecutive year. In 2024-25, 18.7 per cent of students at the end of KS4 in state-funded schools had a special educational need, compared with 17.3 per cent the previous year. Tes also notes that the proportion has increased every year since 2017-18, when it stood at 14 per cent. Margaret Mulholland, SEND and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, said the figures "only underline the importance of getting the SEND reforms right and building a sustainable system where all pupils get the support they need to thrive during their time at school". By Kyle Tormey.

Four in five English councils face effective bankruptcy from soaring SEND costs unless ministers introduce major reforms, council leaders have warned. Calling on the government to write off SEND deficits accumulated by local authorities over the past few years, projected to reach £14 billion in two years’ time, the Local Government Association said 95 per cent of top-tier councils were operating SEND deficits, with four-fifths saying they were having to limit council services or take out loans to meet the everyday cost of financing the overspends. By Patrick Butler, The Guardian.

Parents of children with SEND speak to iNews amid fears that their lives could be radically changed by sweeping reforms to the system. It is not yet clear what will happen to education, health and care plans (EHCPs), but they could be restricted to children with the most complex needs. Rachel Filmer, a mother of twin boys who both currently have EHCPs, shares her concerns, saying: "The school has been incredible for their development. They simply could not manage in a mainstream school." Ms Filmer is also worried that parents' appeal rights will be restricted, and adds: "Losing the ability to appeal would be absolutely catastrophic." The final details of Labour’s SEND reforms are expected later this month. By Adam Forrest.

Ofsted’s shake-up of the school inspection system, first rolled out in November 2025, will monitor the impact on the mental health of headteachers through an advisory group. This comes following repeated concerns raised by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT). The NAHT had previously criticised Ofsted’s single-word reports, which were scrapped in 2024 following the death of Ruth Perry, whose Berkshire primary school had been downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate" over safeguarding concerns. Commenting on the change, NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said, "we look forward to working with Ofsted and (Department for Education) officials through the new advisory group to ensure that school leader wellbeing is being prioritised". The new advisory group will be chaired by Sinead McBrearty, chief executive of charity Education Support, and will include members from Ofsted, DfE, and NAHT. By Jasmine Norden, The Independent.

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