Pastoral

The latest news, analysis and advice on pastoral support, including pupil mental health and wellbeing, attendance and non-academic development

Today

29th May 2025

Students miss school because they can’t afford transport and meals
One in six secondary students has missed school at least once because they did not have something they needed, polling shows
Students are missing school because they can't afford uniforms or meals, research shows

Friday

23rd May 2025

Heads change lives - but we have to be prepared to fight
School leaders are in the privileged position of being able to help struggling families, though battles have to be won to do it, writes this co-chair of the Headteachers’ Roundtable
Keziah Leadership

Wednesday

21st May 2025

Mental health and attendance: 5 insights for school leaders
New DfE research offers insightful analysis of the relationship between mental ill-health and school absence, including some findings that challenge conventional wisdom, writes Luke Ramsden
Wellbeing absence child sitting on bench

Tuesday

20th May 2025

School engagement plummets in Year 7, research finds
Separate studies warn that students’ enjoyment of lessons drops, and stress levels rise, after moving to secondary school
Pupil enjoyment and engagement bored stressed

Saturday

17th May 2025

Why schools should be worried about exam TikTok
When Amy Forrester discovered her GCSE students were turning to unreliable online videos for help with their revision, she set out to understand more
Reading tea leaves GCSE predictions

Friday

16th May 2025

DfE sets out mental health, behaviour and attendance plans
Expansion of mental health support in schools announced alongside the launch of 90 attendance and behaviour hubs
Mental health hand on shoulder

Wednesday

14th May 2025

4 in 5 teachers warn government will miss ‘school-ready’ target
A lack of affordable childcare is contributing to the problem of children starting Reception without being ready for school, a poll suggests
Mother tying child's shoes School Ready

Saturday

10th May 2025

A-level results day 2025: everything you need to know
A-level results day this year is on Thursday 14 August 2025. Here are all the essential details you need to be aware of
A Level results

Thursday

8th May 2025

How English literature can counteract the ‘manosphere’
Few boys are opting to take English at A level, missing out on developing important empathy and communication skills, writes Andrew Copeman
Hand holding skull English Literature

Saturday

3rd May 2025

Why we must hold on to the ‘magic’ of the early years
In the push to see more children reach a good level of development, we can’t forget the intangible benefits of patience, persistence and empathy in EYFS, writes Julian Grenier
Why we must hold on to the ‘magic’ of the early years

Sunday

27th Apr 2025

How well do you understand the dangers of nicotine pouches?
With a ban on single-use vapes coming into force, pouches are a new source of nicotine favoured by young people – so what do teachers need to know about the risks they pose?
Nicotine pouche with question mark

Saturday

26th Apr 2025

What does research say about how students acquire soft skills?
It’s a familiar debate: can those non-academic life competencies actually be taught? A new study has re-examined the evidence, writes Christian Bokhove
People making cogs work