School Guide

We have been one of the many many voices calling for this change so are absolutely thrilled that the government has said it will introduce a legal ban on smartphones in schools in England. What are your thoughts?

At a time when parents are struggling with the cost of living and schools are trying to stave off poor attendance are these fines simply not working for anyone? What do you think? Have you been impacted by these increased fines? Do you think they are fit for purpose?

FYI The number of term-time holiday fines rose by 4% in 2024-25 when compared with the previous year, and accounted for 93% of all fines issued for unauthorised school absence. Swipe to see the full data.

It’s a shocking number isn’t it? And unfortunately I think it will only go up, impacting thousands of families. I won’t pretend that the subject of VAT on independents has not been a massively thorny and divisive issue (and we hear both sides of the argument), but which ever side of the debate you sit on the fall out of school closures has been incredibly sad to see.

For pupils, parents and teachers schools fast become a second home; a place of security, friendships and stability. So to see all these school closures makes me think of the real world impact because we are hearing stories daily from parents who contact us : Children uprooted from friendships, teachers and staff suddenly facing unemployment and parents having to scramble to make big decisions about their children’s schooling under pressure. We are helping hundreds of parents navigate this at the moment and it’s far from straightforward.

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS: What do you think of these schools closures? Have you been impacted? Do you have any advice to other parents?

Image: Rendcomb College near Cirencester which announced today that it will close impacting 386 pupils.

Just one week to go to apply for those 2026 September start primary school places. Tag a pal or partner who might appreciate the reminder 😉. And if you have any questions at all about the process or are having last minute wobbles and want a second opinion just comment on this post and we will get right back to you ✔️.

Lily won't be the only child wondering why Santa might not come this year. Too many children will have nothing this Christmas. Just another day of empty cupboards, putting on an extra jumper to keep warm, and wondering why Santa visited their friends and not them. Help a child know that Santa has remembered them: https://bit.ly/4pObgPv #Santaland #SecretSanta #ActionForChildren #AnnaMaxwellMartin #CharityChristmasGift

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“This is a love letter to all the m**s who make it better for all the other m**s.” 💕 Poet Jan Brierton reads her beautiful piece 'Band of Mothers', a tribute to m**s everywhere #SixVMTV

A quick explainer on the key changes to the national curriculum. These will come into play from 2028 and impact both primary and secondary education. Do let us know what you think 💭.

Smart money: family offers £180,000 a year for tutor to get one-year-old into Eton Family seeks tutor from ‘socially appropriate background’ who can provide infant with ‘comprehensive British cultural environment’