ISC Daily News Summary

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) is demanding that teachers receive a “double digit” pay rise next year amid a "recruitment crisis". Teachers in England received an average 6.5 per cent pay rise in 2023, but education secretary Gillian Keegan has indicated that next year's uplift will be lower. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

The Times reports that a “massive surge” in teachers from overseas is being used to plug classroom vacancies as schools find it difficult to attract qualified British applicants. International applications for teacher training have doubled this year in an “unprecedented” increase after the government initiated a recruitment drive in countries such as Nigeria and India and offered £10,000 payments as an incentive. By Chris Smyth and Nicola Woolcock.

As the chancellor's Spring Budget approaches, Tes considers the funding that schools are likely to need. Areas including pupil and staff mental health support, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and building maintenance are explored. By Jasmine Norden.

An investigation by Schools Week of 350 upheld SEND complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) between July 2023 and January 2024 has revealed widespread distress and trauma felt by families over council failures. In one case, a whole family required counselling as a “direct result” of the council’s delay to assess their daughter for an education, health and care plan. By Samantha Booth.

Writing in Schools Week, safeguarding consultant and SEND lead at Judicium Education Rik Chilvers looks at how Sendcos are managing in light of increasing pressures. Mr Chilvers states that recent analysis by Judicium found two thirds of Sendcos feel current regulations "leave them vulnerable". 

Writing in Tes, Leyla Gambell explains how creating a group of children who meet regularly to discuss neurodiversity can help to give pupils with SEND a voice. Having formed such a collaboration at her own school, Ms Gambell says: "It became a support group, a safe space, a place to learn, a place to belong." Leyla Gambell is a Sendco based in Kent.