NEWS UPDATES

Take a look at what's been happening in the world of education and health and safety since our last issue...

Construction Firm Fined After Worker Sustained Serious Injuries in Fall From a Ladder

On 5 August 2021, the worker was involved in a refurbishment project in Islington for Bow Tie Construction Limited. The scheme involved converting a domestic property and a former handbag factory into a single residential dwelling.

The project required the installation of a new concrete staircase between the ground and first floors. Temporary timber formwork was needed to support the staircase construction. The injured worker, alongside two colleagues, had been instructed by company director and acting site manager Rafael Delimata to assemble the formwork.

While standing at the top of a stepladder and operating a gas-powered nail gun, the worker fell approximately 1.65 metres to the floor below. He sustained multiple serious injuries, including crush injuries to both elbows that required several operations, a fractured forearm, dislocated wrists, and injuries to his right leg and left knee.

An investigation by the HSE found that the company had failed to implement a safe system of work for activities at height during the staircase construction. The investigation also uncovered broader shortcomings in the management of work at height on site, including insufficient edge protection, improperly assembled tower scaffolds, unprotected stair edges, and uncontrolled ladder use.

These issues persisted despite an earlier HSE inspection on 2 July 2021, when the company had been served with a Prohibition Notice for unsafe work at height.

Working at height remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatality in the workplace. The HSE provides detailed guidance on planning and carrying out such work safely, including the selection of suitable equipment and ensuring appropriate supervision.

Bow Tie Construction Limited, of Cliveden Office Village, Lancaster Road, High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At Southwark Crown Court on 13 February 2026, the company was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay £4,101 in costs.

HSE Inspector Emma Bitz said: “The risks associated with working at height are well known, and this incident could have been prevented. Employers must ensure that appropriate control measures are in place, safe systems of work are followed, and adequate supervision is provided. Failure to do so can lead to life-changing injuries, as this case demonstrates.”

The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz and paralegal officer Melissa Wardle.

Vaping in a car carrying a child could soon be outlawed in England under new Government proposals aimed at strengthening protections against second-hand smoke and vapour exposure.

The plans form part of a broader strategy to improve public health and reduce preventable illness. Ministers say the proposed measures are designed to safeguard children, pregnant women and vulnerable people from the harmful effects associated with inhaling smoke or vapour in enclosed or shared spaces.

A 12-week public consultation on the proposals is now under way and will run until 8 May 2026. The feedback gathered will help shape future regulations under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. The Bill sets out a wide-ranging programme of tobacco control and vaping regulation, including measures intended to reduce youth uptake and create a “smoke-free generation”.

Smoking in a car with a child present has already been illegal in England and Wales since October 2015. Under the existing rules, both the driver and the person smoking can be issued a £50 fixed penalty notice, even if vehicle windows are open. In Scotland, similar legislation came into force on 5 December 2016, making it an offence to smoke in a vehicle carrying anyone under the age of 18.

The new proposals would extend these protections by prohibiting not only smoking but also vaping and the use of heated tobacco products in vehicles where children are present. Heated tobacco devices, which warm tobacco without burning it, would be treated in the same way as traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes under the plans.

In addition to vehicles, the Government is considering banning smoking, vaping and heated tobacco use in public playgrounds. Ministers argue that such spaces should be free from smoke and vapour, both to protect children’s health and to reduce their exposure to behaviours that can normalise nicotine use.

However, the measures would not apply universally. Outdoor hospitality settings, such as pub gardens, would remain exempt, as would private homes and private outdoor spaces. Ministers say the intention is to strike a balance between protecting public health and respecting personal freedoms in private settings.

Ministers Should Reconsider Length and Structure of School Year says Head of Ofsted.

Oliver, who took up the role in January 2024, said he was particularly concerned about the “stubborn” attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their better-off peers. He warned that mobile phone use during school hours risked widening that divide.

Ministers should reconsider the length and structure of the school year in England, the head of Ofsted has said, describing the current timetable as “pretty bizarre” and rooted in outdated traditions.

Sir Martyn Oliver, chief inspector of Ofsted, said there was “a need to have a good old look at” the timing of the academic year. Speaking to the Financial Times, he suggested that revisiting school holidays could improve children’s educational experience and make better use of their time in school.

Asked whether he supported shortening holidays so pupils spend more time in the classroom, Oliver said it was a debate worth having. He noted that the long summer break was historically shaped by the agricultural calendar, adding that some aspects of the current system no longer made sense. He also pointed out that exams often take place during the hottest months of May, June and July, when classrooms can become uncomfortable.

State-funded mainstream schools in England are required to provide a minimum 32.5-hour week across 38 weeks of the year. The typical structure includes three terms, with half-term breaks, a summer holiday from late July to early September, and two-week breaks at Christmas and Easter. In contrast, many European countries specify a total number of teaching hours per year rather than a weekly minimum, often with fewer half-term breaks and longer main holidays.

PRESS RELEASE: UK government unveils 10-year plan to revitalise schools and colleges for every child

In a recent press release the UK government has announced that it has launched a 10 year education estates strategy to transform school buildings, improve inclusivity, and deliver modern, resilient classrooms

Building a foundation for inclusive and resilient learning

This plan is intended to break the cycle of deteriorating classrooms and is backed by substantial government funding, ensuring ongoing improvements align with educational goals.

The Education Secretary has revealed a 10-year plan to transform the education estate so that young people and children across the country have high-quality classrooms that are fit for purpose and resilient to the effects of climate change.

The plan will make schools more inclusive by design, ensuring that all secondary schools will eventually have an inclusion base, a safe space away from busy classrooms where pupils can access specialist care whilst in a mainstream environment.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “For too long, schools and colleges have been forced to patch and mend buildings that have already deteriorated – spending their time worrying about leaking roofs instead of focusing on what matters most: giving every child the best possible education.

The Secretary added, “This 10-year plan marks a turning point. We’re breaking the cycle with national renewal for schools and colleges, supported by unprecedented long-term funding, including the £700 million Renewal and Retrofit Programme that tackles issues before they escalate.”

“This is about more than buildings – it’s about breaking down barriers to opportunity. Every child deserves to learn in a safe, accessible environment, with the right facilities to meet their needs and help them thrive.”

Transforming education estates for the future

The education estate strategy includes over £700 million for a new Renewal and Retrofit Programme to fix leaky roofs, repair broken heating systems, and protect schools from flooding – extending the life of school buildings by 15-40 years.

An additional £300 million is allocated to the Connect the Classroom initiative, which focuses on addressing the digital divide and upgrading school technology infrastructure to support modern teaching.

In total, the strategy is underpinned by £38 billion in capital investment from 2025-26 to 2029-30. This sum includes the Renewal and Retrofit Programme and Connect the Classroom, with the goal of creating schools that are fit for purpose, inclusive by design, resilient to climate change, and capable of supporting future educational needs.

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, responds to the government’s 10-year plan for the education estate.

“While we welcome investment in providing more inclusion bases in secondary schools, this is only one half of the equation. It is also important to ensure that schools are funded for the staffing that they will need to support more children and young people with SEND, and that they are able to draw on sufficient numbers of specialists, such as speech and language therapists and educational psychologists. We look forward to seeing the government’s plans on how it intends to reform the SEND system in its forthcoming Schools White Paper.

“The present government inherited a backlog of maintenance work which is needed for the school estate, estimated at £13.8 billion, because of more than a decade of neglect by previous administrations. We therefore welcome its estates strategy as a step forward in getting to grips with these issues. However, the fact remains that there is a huge amount of work that needs to be done to make sure every school building is at an appropriate standard for pupils and staff, and we are not convinced that there is enough money in the pot to deliver this at the scale or pace that is required.”

Oxford Private School Announces Plans to Go Fully Co-Educational

In a significant move that marks a new chapter for one of the UK’s most prestigious educational institutions, Magdalen College School (MCS) in Oxford has announced plans to transition to a fully co-educational system. The top-performing independent school, consistently ranked within the top 20 secondary schools in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2026, has decided to open its doors to girls across all year groups, expanding upon its established co-educational sixth form.

This monumental change will be implemented gradually over the next decade. The school, located in Cowley Place, will begin welcoming girls into its junior years starting in September 2027, specifically targeting admissions for Year 3 and Year 4. Following this, September 2030 will mark another milestone as girls will be admitted into Year 7. These new cohorts will join the existing population of girls already studying in the school’s thriving sixth form, a setup that has been successful for the past 15 years.

Helen Pike, Master of Magdalen College School, expressed enthusiasm about the future, emphasizing that this transition aligns with the school's broader development goals. "This is an exciting time for everyone at MCS," Pike stated. "As we prepare for a new Science, Library and Partnerships Building and build our endowment fund, we look forward to welcoming girls throughout the school." Pike further highlighted the school’s dedication to maintaining a positive learning environment, noting, "We are proud to offer a happy and inclusive learning environment shaped by inspiring teachers and enriching opportunities, one in which the brightest children can learn and flourish together."

The decision to become fully co-educational coincides with a historic moment for the institution. As the school approaches its 550th anniversary in 2030, the shift to co-education is viewed as a fitting evolution of its legacy. Bob Price, chair of governors, remarked on the school's long history, founded in 1480 as a 'song school' by William of Waynflete. "MCS is a remarkable school," Price said. "As governors, we are privileged to be the custodians of the school’s long and distinguished record, and I am delighted that, as we approach our 550th year, we will be welcoming both boys and girls to enjoy the stimulation and excitement of life here." Price added that by opening the school to all talented young people, they are "honouring our legacy and enriching our community for generations to come."

Beyond academic achievements, which recently included 43 pupils receiving offers from Oxford and Cambridge universities, MCS is deeply committed to accessibility and social responsibility. The school won the Independent Schools of the Year Award for Social Mobility in 2024. In keeping with its founding ethos, MCS ensures that an education there is accessible to the brightest children, regardless of their financial circumstances; approximately one in ten senior school pupils currently receives financial assistance with fees. Furthermore, the school fosters strong partnerships with the local community, hosting numerous projects and events to encourage pupils to make positive contributions to society.

This shift follows a similar announcement by Abingdon School for boys, which will begin admitting girls to its first year and sixth form from September 2026, indicating a broader trend among top independent schools in the region toward co-education

MPs Call for Increase in Funding for Special Education,

A cross-party group of MPs has urged ministers to increase and protect funding for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), warning that schools cannot meet rising demand without budgets that properly reflect need.

The group — made up largely of Labour MPs — is calling on the government to “align funding to need” and ensure school budgets are protected against inflation as part of its forthcoming reforms to SEND provision in England. Their intervention comes as ministers prepare a long-awaited policy paper setting out changes to a system widely regarded as being in crisis.

The financial backdrop is challenging. Although the Department for Education (DfE) says overall school funding will rise by £1.7bn in 2026–27, increasing SEND costs mean many school leaders expect budgets to remain under severe strain. From 2028, the government will also take on SEND costs currently covered by councils — a move forecast to create an additional £6bn pressure on the public finances.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, ministers effectively face three choices: increase overall education spending, reform the system to slow the growth in SEND costs, or make cuts elsewhere. Any perception that reforms are driven primarily by savings rather than improving outcomes risks provoking a backlash from parents and MPs.

Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan said changes must focus on making the system work better for children, not reducing expenditure. He warned that without parental support, reforms could quickly become politically contentious.

Local authorities have a legal duty to meet eligible pupils’ needs but are struggling to keep up with rising demand. More than 1.7 million children in England are now identified as having special educational needs — a sharp increase in recent years. Public spending on children with high needs has risen from £7.5bn in 2016 to £12bn in 2025, a real-terms increase of 66%.

In its submission to ministers, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on SEND argued that inflation has eroded the real value of school funding and special school places. It called for early intervention budgets to be protected, warning that delayed support often leads to more complex and costly needs later. The group also urged the government to align national expectations with the level of need schools are now expected to meet and to develop a national workforce plan for SEND.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has been meeting MPs to gather input and build support ahead of publishing the reforms. Ministers have faced particular pressure not to scrap or significantly weaken education, health and care plans (EHCPs), which legally guarantee tailored support for children with the highest needs.

Labour MP Jen Craft, a vice-chair of the APPG and mother of a disabled daughter with an EHCP, said improving early intervention and making mainstream schools more inclusive could reduce reliance on high-needs provision over time. However, she warned that funding disparities between local authorities and the lack of ringfenced budgets must be addressed. In her view, while significant money flows through the system, it is not always spent effectively.

Across Westminster there is broad agreement that SEND reform is necessary. However, consensus on how to fund and structure a sustainable system remains elusive. As ministers balance rising costs with political sensitivities, MPs are making clear that any overhaul must prioritise children’s needs — and provide schools with the resources to meet them.

The UK government has launched a 10 year plan to revitalise schools and colleges, aiming to transform ageing estates and give every child access to modern, inclusive learning environments. Backed by billions in investment, the strategy will move beyond patch-and-repair maintenance, deliver climate-resilient buildings, and expand inclusion spaces for young people to learn safely.

The school maintains a unique blend of historical tradition and modern excellence. While expanding its intake, MCS continues to educate the 16 boy choristers of the Magdalen Chapel Choir, adhering to its founding roots. The school boasts a distinguished list of alumni, including Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Saint Thomas More, Nobel Prize winner Sir Tim Hunt, director Sam Mendes, and actor Jonathan Bailey.

Vaping in a Car Carrying a Child Could Be outlawed in England Under New Government Proposals

The UK government recently said it was considering a ban on social media for children, following moves in countries such as Australia and proposals in France and Spain. Ministers have also pledged to publish new guidance on screen time amid growing concerns about the amount of time young people spend on devices.

Oliver, who supports banning phones in schools and restricting social media access for under-16s, described the proportion of the year children spend physically in school as a “ridiculously low percentage”. He said the 32.5-hour week represented precious time that should be focused on learning and social development rather than distracted by technology.

While children should be taught how to use technology safely, he argued that they do not need constant access to screens to achieve this. Ofsted has been tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with enforcing stricter approaches to phone use through inspections. Oliver said stronger action in schools could give parents confidence to set firmer boundaries at home.

The inspector also highlighted concerns about school readiness. The government has pledged that by the end of this parliament, 75 per cent of five-year-olds will be deemed “school ready” — meaning they can perform basic tasks such as counting, sitting still and sharing. Currently, around 68 per cent meet the expected standard when they start school.

Teachers have reported increasing time spent helping children develop basic skills that were once typically learned at home, including toilet training. Oliver described the situation as alarming and stressed the importance of early-years education in shaping long-term success. He said schools were increasingly offering parenting classes to support families.

Beyond early years, Oliver criticised what he called a “massive waste of talent” among the estimated 950,000 young people in the UK who are not in education, employment or training. He also addressed the growing pressures in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. Demand for education, health and care plans has risen sharply, placing heavy financial strain on councils, many of which warn of severe budget shortfalls.

Looking ahead to the government’s forthcoming schools white paper, Oliver said he hoped for a comprehensive and carefully designed plan that ensures support is targeted effectively. Specialist help, he argued, must be focused on those who need it most rather than spread too thinly.

Oliver took over at Ofsted following a turbulent period for the inspectorate after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. An independent review criticised Ofsted’s response and inspection culture. Oliver acknowledged the organisation had been through a difficult time but said reforms — including replacing single-word judgments with a new “report card” system — had made inspections fairer and more balanced.

He added that Ofsted must show greater coherence across inspections while continuing to challenge underperformance “without fear or favour.”

Move To Standardise Educational Time Across England

In a move intended to standardize educational time across England, the Department for Education (DfE) introduced an expectation that all schools operate a minimum 32.5-hour week, inclusive of breaks and lunchtimes, starting in September 2024. While intended to ensure a consistent experience for pupils, the rollout of this non-statutory guidance has been marred by significant inaccuracies in national data, leading to confusion and frustration among school leaders.

According to figures derived from the 2024-25 "schools, pupils, and their characteristics" dataset, approximately 16 per cent of schools—roughly 3,256 out of 20,000—were failing to meet this new threshold. The data suggested extreme anomalies, with some schools reportedly operating weeks as short as eight hours, while others were listed as having nearly 53 hours. However, school leaders across the country are disputing these figures, claiming the data is incorrect and does not reflect their actual operational hours.

For years, the DfE collected data on lesson lengths through a termly school census. For the 2024-25 academic year, this category was relabeled "school time" to encompass the entire day, not just instructional time. Furthermore, schools were mandated to display their opening hours on their websites. Despite these changes, the resulting dataset has been riddled with errors.

Multiple large academy trusts have flagged discrepancies when contacted about the findings. Lift Schools, which manages 57 academies, was listed as having seven schools below the threshold, with deficits ranging from 15 minutes to seven-and-a-half hours. A spokesperson for Lift Schools firmly refuted this, stating, "All figures below 32.5 hours were incorrect," and confirmed that all their mainstream schools meet the requirement.

Similarly, the Affinity Learning Partnership was recorded as having two schools operating 7.5 hours below target. A trust spokesperson stated they did not recognize the figures and were actively trying to rectify them. The Harris Federation reported that data suggesting two of its academies operated a 25-hour week was false, attributing the error to incorrect data submission, which is now being corrected.

The issue appears to stem from technical difficulties in transferring data between school management systems (MIS) and the DfE’s central systems. Equals Trust noted that seven of its 15 schools were listed below the target, claiming the figures were "captured incorrectly between the DfE and the MIS." Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust identified a similar data processing error affecting 22 of its 25 schools.

The DfE has yet to comment on whether it is investigating the schools originally flagged as underperforming or how it intends to correct the flawed dataset. For now, school leaders are left managing the reputational fallout of inaccurate data while trying to rectify technical issues with the department.

Over 170,000 Students Launch Legal Action Against UK Universities Over Covid Disruption

More than 170,000 students across England and Wales are launching large-scale legal action against dozens of universities, seeking compensation for the disruption to their studies during the Covid-19 pandemic. This wave of litigation follows a confidential settlement reached last week between University College London (UCL) and the Student Group Claim, which represented 6,000 affected UCL students.

While UCL admitted no liability in their settlement, the move has opened the door for claims across the higher education sector. Pre-action claim letters have already been sent to 36 institutions, including prestigious universities such as Imperial College London, Warwick, Bath, and Bristol. Depending on the number of students involved and the outcome of the cases, lawyers estimate the total cost to universities could reach into the millions.

The legal argument is rooted in consumer law, specifically focusing on the breach of contract when a service provider fails to deliver what was paid for. Lawyers representing the students argue that undergraduates paid full tuition fees—often funded by high-interest loans—for in-person teaching and full access to campus facilities. When Covid-19 restrictions forced campuses to close and courses to move online, the value of the service delivered was significantly lower than promised.

According to Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson law firm representing the students, "UK undergraduates at university during the pandemic borrowed money at ridiculous interest rates to fund courses which were ruined by online teaching and closed facilities." The legal team maintains that students are owed "fair financial compensation" for the disparity between in-person fees and the reduced value of online alternatives, which are typically 25% to 50% cheaper.

The impact on students was profound, affecting both their academic experience and future careers. Georgia Johnson, 28, who was pursuing a postgraduate teaching degree during the pandemic, described sitting in a room learning to teach over Zoom rather than gaining classroom experience. "It was a massive setback," she said. "I had to take time out of university because it got too much. I definitely didn’t get what I should have got while I was there."

While other universities, including Birmingham, Manchester, and the London School of Economics, face impending action, the settlement has left some institutions focusing on moving forward. Dr. Michael Spence, UCL president and provost, stated that the resolution enables the university to focus on its "core mission of delivering world-leading research and education." The deadline for further students to join the claims is September 2026.