“It’s concerning that the Chancellor spoke for an hour and the word #education did not pass his lips even once....On the face of today’s speech, it does not appear that anything has changed with this new administration." Our full comment on the #AutumnBudget2026 : https://ow.ly/ZOlp5101KpF

From the latest Leader: with prevailing working conditions affecting the sustainability of school improvement and leadership capacity, ASCL specialist Chris Ingate looks at one school that is prioritising staff wellbeing as a key strategic objective: https://ow.ly/96Cw5101hsr (member login req'd)

"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." The ASCL Hotline is here to help and available for #ASCLmembers, including during half-term. See full details at www.ascl.org.uk/hotline #education #SLT

Some of you are on #halfterm break this week, others will be finishing tomorrow for what will hopefully be a chance to rest and recharge. #ASCLmembers: if you need to get in touch this week or next, the ASCL Hotline is here for you. Find out more at www.ascl.org.uk/hotline

“We welcome this report and recommendations. There are significant issues with KS2 tests both in terms of the pressure they place on pupils and the disproportionate way in which they are used to judge the performance of schools. Our full comment: https://ow.ly/1K1b50ZZn3V #education #primary #Sats

Share the benefits of ASCL membership with senior leadership colleagues in your school, trust, college or local network and help them invest in their professional future with ASCL - if they join, we'll send you a £40 gift card as a thank you. Full terms & conditions: www.ascl.org.uk/recommend

Every year, we report back to #ASCLmembers on what we've been doing on your behalf, and how we spend our budget in providing member support, communications and representation. Read our Annual Report 2026 in the latest Leader magazine: www.ascl.org.uk/leader (log in req'd for some features)

#ASCLmembers: today's email newsletter includes the latest developments with Ofsted, including a special edition of Education, Actually where Pepe Di’Iasio and Laura McInerney discuss the events which led to last week's decision by #ASCLCouncil to pass a vote of no confidence in Ofsted's leadership.

#ASCLmembers in #Wales: ASCL Cymru policy officer Catherine Gibson summarises some of the concerning outcomes following recent FOI enquiries into schools funding, including school funding transparency, free school meals funding, and the operation of school budget forums: https://ow.ly/Xk5o50ZYlko

ASCL Cymru briefing | 16 October 2026

ASCL Cymru Policy Officer, Cath Gibson, updates school and college leaders with the latest information on the industrial dispute. www.ascl.org.uk/cymru

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#ASCLmembers: in his weekly video, ASCL NI Director Michael McAuley focuses on last week's #ASCLCouncil, with discussions including #NEETs and sustainable school leadership, challenges which also impact on the #education sector in #NorthernIreland: https://ow.ly/pa1O50ZYjGU

ASCL Northern Ireland briefing | 15 October 2026

ASCL Director of Northern Ireland, Michael McAuley, updates school and college leaders with the latest information. www.ascl.org.uk/ni

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In Education Matters, there's more on the motion of no confidence in the leadership of #Ofsted passed at #ASCLCouncil last week, mental health waiting times for children and young people's mental health services, and our early bird offer for #ASCL2027 which closes on 19 October. #education

#ASCLmembers: today's email newsletter includes more on last week's motion of no confidence in the leadership of #Ofsted passed at #ASCLCouncil, local authority #SEND deficits, Erasmus-plus applications, and urgent information for employers on the Teachers' Pension Scheme portal. #education

#ASCLmembers: a reminder that at 6.00pm tonight, we'll be welcoming #SEND adviser and former headteacher Frances Akinde as our guest speaker at our Ethnic Diversity Community meeting. You can find out more about this session and register to join at: www.ascl.org.uk/EthnicDiversityCommunity

"We have always understood the budget pressures under which the Welsh government is operating. But supporting children with additional learning needs must surely be a national priority.” ASCL #Cymru full comment welcoming #ALN investment: https://ow.ly/u4bW50ZX59O #education #Wales

#ASCLmembers: the autumn edition of Leader is out now with features including Pepe Di’Iasio making the case for why meaningful change in education needs more than political promises , it needs funding, and our annual report. Read online www.ascl.org.uk/leader (some articles require member log in)

The ASCL website will not be available from 4pm today while essential maintenance is carried out. It is anticipated that this will be completed within three hours. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience.

What enables people to do their best work, sustain their commitment and contribute fully to the organisations they serve? Drawing on the latest research, Gemma Scotcher of Education Support suggests three questions for leaders and their teams to explore in her guest blog: https://ow.ly/rICH50ZVgGT

Are you a headteacher or senior leader in a #primary setting and thinking of joining ASCL? In this short video, Tiff Harris shares how she helps primary members in their day-to-day roles. We've a great offer for new members, with discounted fees until December 2027: www.ascl.org.uk/join

#ASCLmembers - the autumn edition of Leader will be in your inbox on Monday. Cover: Pepe Di’Iasio makes the case for why meaningful change in education needs more than political promises - it needs #funding. Other features include building a strong #safeguarding culture, and tackling attendance.

@ascl-uk.bsky.social passes a motion of no confidence in Ofsted’s leadership and in the watchdog's ability to address what the union describes as ‘the damage being done by the new inspection system’

ASCL passes motion of no confidence in Ofsted’s leadership

Union also considers indicative ballot on industrial action if more is not done to mitigate the impact of inspection on wellbeing

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“This motion reflects the strength of feeling among our members. It is not a step we have taken lightly but only after our repeated attempts to resolve our concerns through discussion and negotiation have hit a brick wall," says @pepediiasio.bsky.social #Ofsted #inspection #education #ASCLCouncil

Schools Week@schoolsweek.bsky.social · 3w ago

Breaking: The ASCL school leaders’ union has said it has no confidence in Ofsted’s leadership to 'address the damage being done by the new inspection system' following a vote of its ruling council schoolsweek.co.uk/ascl-council...

School and college leaders today passed a motion of no confidence in the ability of Ofsted’s leadership to address the damage being done by the new inspection system. Read our full announcement: https://ow.ly/b2QJ50ZWcFC #education #inspection #Ofsted #ASCLCouncil

"We're closer than we've ever been but we're still not over the line." We'd really appreciate your help. Throughout this dispute, our focus has been: fairness for our members & the resources our schools need to give children & young people the education they deserve: 🖥️https://ow.ly/wIIk50ZWaP5

ASCL Cymru briefing | 9 October 2026

ASCL Director of Cymru, Claire Armitstead, updates school and college leaders with the latest information on the industrial dispute. www.ascl.org.uk/cymru

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“It is extremely serious that the health of so many educators is being undermined and we do not understand how Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver can then say the system is on the right track. This is clearly not the case." Our full comment on #Ofsted inspections research: https://ow.ly/jmJx50ZVQLk

What if inclusion by design is less about doing more, and more about connecting what we already do? ASCL's Kathryn Morgan explores how intentional design, professional learning and teacher expertise can help schools reduce barriers to learning without lowering ambition: https://ow.ly/AkWo50ZVgKi

#ASCLmembers in #NorthernIreland: the latest on the significant financial pressures affecting education in Northern Ireland in today's video briefing: https://ow.ly/qSfZ50ZVToq The email newsletter also includes practical guidance around navigating industrial action, and smartphone-free schools.

ASCL Northern Ireland briefing | 8 October 2026

ASCL Director of Northern Ireland, Michael McAuley, updates school and college leaders with the latest information. www.ascl.org.uk/ni

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Exclusive: The scope for negotiation over Ofsted has been ‘exhausted’, warns @ascl-uk.bsky.social as it prepares for major talks on taking more ‘assertive action’

Scope for negotiation on Ofsted is ‘exhausted’, heads warn

ASCL’s senior members are meeting this week to decide how to take ‘more assertive action’ over inspection concerns

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Welcome to colleagues attending the 180th meeting of #ASCLCouncil in Warwick over the next 2 days. During this session, we'll be considering school and colleges' role in preventing young people from becoming NEET, and which is also a key focus for the government. www.ascl.org.uk/council

#ASCLmembers: look out for October's Trust Leadership News. This edition focuses on how we create the conditions in which leaders and teachers can respond well to the pupils and communities they serve, with the latest on areas including #inclusion, workforce retention, and professional development.

Limited places remain for the SEND Leadership Summit at the Tes SEND Show on 9 October. This year’s theme is Reform into Reality: Leading Inclusion with Confidence. Book your place at https://ow.ly/oYlK50ZVfGI #ASCLmembers: access an exclusive discounted rate here https://ow.ly/a6Ie50ZVfGH