*Begins September 2026* Designed for trust leaders by people who understand the realities of executive leadership: governance, growth, workforce challenges, financial stewardship, public accountability & system influence. Join our programme for current & aspiring trust CEOs: www.ascl.org.uk/execprog

#ASCLmembers: a reminder that the summer edition of Leader is online for you to read, with features including developing the art of calm leadership, and essential advice on handling complaints, parents and SARs. Visit www.ascl.org.uk/leader (some articles require member login) #education

#ASCLmembers: have you or will you be retiring from your role this year? Stay connected to education and our great ASCL community as an Associate member. As an Associate, you can continue to receive ASCL publications such as Leader, and access to website resources. ℹ️ www.ascl.org.uk/associates

Developed in response to the DfE's Education Estates Strategy and designed to close the gap between accountability on paper and genuine confidence in practice, join estates specialist Tracey Field FCIOB in September for our CPD-accredited programme. Full details at www.ascl.org.uk/educationestates

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on technical #education, in her latest #blog, Kathryn Morgan reflects on the importance of joining up reform and involving school and college leaders while the detail is still taking shape. Reform with, not to, the profession: https://ow.ly/GU2T50ZuyHt

"The real test will be whether there are more opportunities for young people in the postcodes where this is most needed, not fewer; and that devil will be in the detail, detail that we don’t yet have.” ASCL comment on devolution of 16-19 #funding: https://ow.ly/vaaR50ZuUV5 #education #post16

#ASCLmembers: catch up on the latest developments affecting the sector with our Policy Snapshots podcasts. Latest editions include the teachers' pay award, Teachers' Pension Scheme, reform, inspection, and the independent sector and MATS. 🖥️ www.ascl.org.uk/PolicySnapshots (member log in req'd)

'We’re very concerned that personal data, including that of school leaders, has been leaked in this way' www.tes.com/magazine/new... @ascl-uk.bsky.social @naht.org.uk @tesmagazine.bsky.social @cerysturner.bsky.social @ktorm-social1.bsky.social

School leaders affected by another DfE data leak

Department for Education insists it took ‘swift action’ after a major incident involving sensitive data, with school leaders among those affected

tes.com

⭐Summer joining offer ends 31 July⭐ Discounted fees and a £40 Lifestyle gift card for new members who join before 31 July: www.ascl.org.uk/join Any questions about membership? Visit www.ascl.org.uk/FAQs We look forward to welcoming you as an ASCL member. #education #tradeunion #leadership

"If the government is serious about parity between academic, technical and vocational routes, then this must be reflected in school and college performance measures." Our full comment on the Prime Minister's announcement on technical #education: https://ow.ly/HR0e50ZtHoz

We're delighted to be working once again in partnership with #TesSENDShow for the #SENDLeadership Summit 'Reform into Reality: Leading Inclusion with Confidence'. Register at https://ow.ly/E9Rw50ZrkoR #ASCLmembers: visit www.ascl.org.uk/sendsummit to access your exclusive discount code.

“Schools and colleges know only too well how factors such as poverty, poor housing, & deteriorating mental health are damaging the wellbeing of children & young people and affecting their educational outcomes... Comment on Centre for Young Lives state of nation report: https://ow.ly/bRwB50Zt2P2

Would you like to engage with over 1,000 school, college & trust leaders from across the UK? #ASCL027 is a great opportunity to put your brand on the map & we have a number of sponsorship opportunities available. Visit www.ascl.org.uk/exhibition to find out more or contact exhibitions@ascl.org.uk

What should the new education secretary put at the top of her to-do list? @ascl-uk.bsky.social leader @pepediiasio.bsky.social recommends ways to tackle problems with Ofsted, staff wellbeing and falling rolls

What Lucy Powell should do about Ofsted, staff wellbeing and pupil rolls

As the new education secretary begins her tenure, ASCL leader Pepe Di’Iasio outlines three priorities in her in-tray

tes.com

“We would like to see all schools being able to access attendance officers skilled in working with families to remove barriers and get children back to school.” Our full response to National Foundation for Educational Research report on pupil wellbeing and school absence: https://ow.ly/817a50Zro3I

"We welcome Lucy Powell MP to the role of #Education Secretary. She will face a major challenge in better matching the many expectations on schools and colleges with the resources necessary to deliver those expectations..." Our full comment: https://ow.ly/ahx250ZqqLp

"ASCL was ready to listen and guide me through the problems I was facing. They reassured me that someone did care, and I was not alone." A reminder that the ASCL Hotline for #ASCLmembers is available throughout the summer for impartial and confidential support and guidance www.ascl.org.uk/hotline

"You deserve a wonderful summer holiday and summer break." Our final newsletter and video briefing of this academic year with Pepe Di’Iasio (plus more on the pay award, #KCSIE, #Vlevels, Academies Trust Handbook, and #Sats): https://ow.ly/brrn50ZoSu0 #ASCLmembers #education #teacherspay

ASCL briefing | 17 July 2026

ASCL General Secretary, Pepe Di'Iasio, updates school and college leaders with the latest information. www.ascl.org.uk

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"We can't keep doing more with less." More on the ongoing situation around education funding in Wales in today's video briefing with ASCL Cymru Director Claire Armitstead: https://ow.ly/hk5J50ZoQSX #Wales #education #ASCLmembers #Cymru #funding

ASCL Cymru briefing 17 July 2026

ASCL Director of Cymru, Claire Armitstead, updates school and college leaders with the latest information.

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#ASCLmembers: the last #Primary Focus newsletter by Tiff Harris of this academic year is out now, and includes a full summary and update on KS2 #Sats results and the September checking exercise. To subscribe, log into www.ascl.org.uk/MyASCL and select via 'Preferences'.

"It's not about politics...what we're saying is there are children in our system in Wales who are not getting the support they need and we need to do something about that..." Yesterday's interview with ASCL #Cymru Director Claire Armitstead on BBC #Wales on ALN funding: https://ow.ly/efQt50ZoNif

Claire Armitstead | Radio Wales, 16 July 2026

Claire Armitstead, Director of ASCL Cymru, speaks to BBC Wales regarding ALN funding. www.ascl.org.uk

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Many colleagues are now on their summer break - or almost there. Thank you for everything you've done and continue to do for children and young people in our schools and colleges and communities. We wish you a restful summer break.

As school leaders grapple with the Government’s new statutory #workexperience guidance, Nick Chambers, CEO of Education and Employers, considers priorities in his guest #blog: 'Work Experience: Are the DfE's new targets achievable?' https://ow.ly/wPbQ50ZogTi #education

"Congratulations to children and teachers on this year’s Sats in the difficult circumstances of results having been delayed. We called for an inquiry over this delay and we are pleased this has now been confirmed." Full comment on #Sats results: https://ow.ly/V9so50Zoh30 #primary #education

The last #Education Matters of this academic year is out now, and includes updates on the PE premium, contextual admissions guidance, and 2026 #KCSIE. Education Matters is for non-members who want to keep up to date with the latest issues affecting the sector: www.ascl.org.uk/educationmatters

We are experiencing technical difficulties with our website. This is being investigated as a matter of urgency. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to be back online very soon. Thank you for your patience.

ASCL Cymru and NAHT Cymru have jointly declared a collective trade dispute with the Welsh Government amid anger over pay for leaders and teachers and funding for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN). See the full joint statement here: https://ow.ly/kel850ZnN8q

"We have taken the decision to register a trade dispute reluctantly and as a last resort. Our members in #Wales are not prepared to sit by while children with Additional Learning Needs miss out on funding which should be invested in supporting them." says Pepe Di’Iasio https://ow.ly/Rim850ZnKck

Head of Industrial Relations: we're seeking an experienced industrial relations, trade union or HR professional with a proven track record of leading successful negotiations at a senior level. Find out more: www.ascl.org.uk/vacancies Closing date: 5 Aug #education #tradeunion #jobs #vacancies

Whilst the reduction in employer contributions to teachers’ pensions is welcome, we also recognise it may create unexpected complexities for leaders in independent schools. Neil and Mel reflect on the issues which school leaders and governors may need to consider: https://ow.ly/ikwF50ZnnBY