Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 16/06/25.
Article: Record 1 in 5 pupils in England getting special education needs support – BBC News Online
12 June 2025, Kate McGough. Nearly one in five pupils in England are receiving support for special educational needs (SEN) in the classroom, according to government statistics:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23mdz2728zo
Official Statistics: National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023 – Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
11 June 2025. National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) results on the diet, nutrient intake and nutritional status of adults and children in the UK for 2019 to 2023:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023
Article: Children in England growing up ‘sedentary, scrolling and alone’, say experts – The Guardian Online
11 June 2025, Harriet Grant. Raising the Nation Play Commission report recommends ban on ‘no ball games’ signs and raising digital age of consent to 16:
News: Spending Review 2025: More money for expansion of funded childcare and school-based nurseries – Nursery World
11 June 2025, Catherine Gaunt. Chancellor allocates ‘an extra £1.6 bn a year for childcare entitlements’ by 2028-29 and £370m for school-based nurseries in spending review:
News: Surprise extra £4.5bn for schools as Reeves goes to wire on Cabinet cash – The Observer
7 June 2025, Rachel Sylvester. More money for SEND reforms and teachers’ pay while health and defence are big winners in spending review:
Article: Seven in ten nurseries don’t have enough staff to operate at maximum capacity, warns NDNA – Nursery World
6 June 2025, Katy Morton. A National Day Nurseries Association survey ‘lays bare’ the extent of the workforce crisis, which is impacting early years settings ability to meet extra demand for the 30 hours for babies and two-year-olds, ahead of the September expansion:
Article: Call for online safety to be included in early years curriculum to protect under-fives – Nursery World
5 June 2025, Catherine Gaunt. Early years organisations are calling for an explicit reference to online safety and digital literacy in be added to the EYFS, ahead of the conclusion of a government inquiry:
News: Half A Million More Pupils to Receive Free School Meals in Eligibility Shake-Up – Huffington Post
4 June 2025, Kevon Schofield. The government says the move will lift 100,000 children out of poverty:
News: Surge in parents turning to baby banks as UK’s child poverty crisis laid bare – The Independent Online
1 June 2025, Tara Cobham. Celebrities, MPs and campaigners say the situation is a ‘national disgrace’ as they call for more support for families:
Inquiry Update: The First 1000 Days: a renewed focus – Health and Social Care Committee
June 2025. The Committee’s inquiry will examine progress made since 2019, the effectiveness of family hubs and integrated care systems in improving early childhood outcomes and how inequalities in access can be most improved:
Link: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9017/the-first-1000-days-a-renewed-focus/news/
Opinion: A stronger Online Safety Act would protect children and boost the economy – Politics Home
30 May 2025, Andy Burrows. There is a growth paradox at the heart of this government. Despite the Prime Minister being elected on a promise to prioritise economic growth, a year on, his government seems curiously unwilling to unlock billions in annual economic return that is staring them in the face:
Link: https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/a-stronger-online-safety-act-will-give-us-growth
Article: UK child poverty taskforce set to recommend return of Sure Start scheme – The Guardian Online
25 May 2025, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot. Despite praise for Sure Start from some in the Labour party, there are also concerns that resuming the service would be difficult and costly: