In an article for Tes, Umar Toseeb, a professor of psychology at the University of York, says the UK's education system only really works for some pupils, and argues the government’s plans for SEND reform will not change that. On the importance of building a system that better reflects how children learn, he says: "We need to acknowledge how genetics and SEND interact, and use that understanding to help schools set the conditions that will allow every child to thrive."

Writing in Tes, Cerian Parker-Yates, a Sendco, teacher and director of pastoral care, explains how the Planned Academic Support (PAS) approach can help schools bridge the gap between pupils' academic progress and wellbeing. "As a values- driven, whole-school approach that unites teacher expertise, parental insight, student voice and leadership oversight, PAS shows how coherent, intentional support can improve progress while strengthening wellbeing across the school," she says. 

The government’s SEND reforms, Ofsted inspections and school improvement are some of the items on the agenda at this year's Schools and Academies Show, which is taking place at London's Excel centre today. Education experts from across England will address delegates, and journalists from Schools Week will be on-site to report back. The paper's live blog will be updated throughout the day. By Freddie Whittaker.

In a letter to The Times, Ann Cross from Newcastle upon Tyne raises concerns about the potential downsides of home schooling. While acknowledging the pressures facing parents and saying the VAT on fees policy "wasn't the government’s best idea", she argues that schools play an important safeguarding role and that in some deprived areas home schooling can become "yet another mask for truancy". The letter appears below halfway. 

A GCSE revision guide for Pearson Edexcel citizenship studies tells pupils that Britons have a responsibility "to use freedom of speech but not offend". Almost 21,000 pupils took the subject, which is a central pillar of Labour's education strategy, in England last year. Criticising the approach, shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: "It’s utterly wrong-headed to teach children they have a right not to be offended. Schools should be places where ideas are tested and debated, not repressed." The article is accompanied by a number of extracts from the guidebook. By Cameron Henderson, The Telegraph. 

Ministers in England have asked experts if CCTV should be made mandatory in all nurseries, and a committee of MPs is also examining whether children in early years settings are properly protected. Across the rest of the UK, there are no plans to make CCTV mandatory, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaving its use to individual providers, where it is permitted but not required. BBC News explores the issue and asks whether a national rollout of CCTV could prevent abuse. The broadcaster concludes that, while there is broad agreement over their use, surveillance cameras can only ever be part of the solution, and measures such as robust references and DBS checks, staff training and more unannounced inspections also form part of the wider safeguarding framework. Warning: The story contains distressing content. By Vanessa Clarke, with additional reporting by Florence Freeman.

Most school leaders say budget cuts are affecting children's outcomes, according to the findings of a study conducted for consultancy Commercial Services Group and shared with Tes. More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of respondents said cost-cutting was having a moderate or major impact on educational outcomes, while nearly all schools in the survey (87 per cent) reported having reduced spending over the past year, rising to 95 per cent of secondary schools. The report cited demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support as a "central pressure" for school leaders, with many saying they were not confident in their ability to deliver ministers' reforms. Leaders were also divided over whether the proposed SEND changes would reduce pressure on schools. The findings will be presented at the Schools and Academies Show today. By Jabed Ahmed.

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