Skills, Screens and School Leadership

Friday, 24 July 2026 — What’s shaping education this week – from tech to policy

Top Stories

Policy

Net Zero at risk due to hidden skills shortage ↗

Clean energy projects are falling behind because there aren’t enough skilled workers. This skills gap is a real problem for our net zero goals and a wake-up call for FE and vocational education to step up.

Source: FE News
Wellbeing

More screen time linked to language delays in toddlers ↗

New research warns that just 30 minutes more tablet use a day doubles language delay risks in young children. With calls for a ban on devices under three, schools and parents must rethink early digital exposure.

Source: Orizzonte Scuola
Leadership

School leaders’ pay deal gets green light with a £230 boost ↗

After years of waiting, school leaders finally have a new pay contract, adding around £230 a month plus back pay. It’s a step towards valuing their work properly, but the call for full parity with other public leaders continues.

Source: Orizzonte Scuola
EdTech

Many gaming sites slip through school web filters ↗

A surprising number of game sites evade school filters, raising questions about digital safety and distraction. Schools need smarter tech and clearer policies to keep students focused and safe online.

Source: The Hechinger Report
Al's Take
The big story this week is the growing skills shortage in clean energy – a reminder that education must keep pace with real-world demands. Meanwhile, the debate on device use for under-threes is heating up, and school leaders finally get a pay boost. All of this matters because what we teach and how we support staff directly impacts both learners and the wider community.

Number of the Day

150
The number of preferences teachers can declare in the new GPS recruitment process. It’s a big change that could affect how schools and teachers match. (Orizzonte Scuola)

Jobs Spotlight

Deputy Head (Learning and Teaching)
Griffith University · Brisbane / Gold Coast, Australia · $172,686 - $222,445 + 17% superannuation
Deputy Headteacher ↗
Orchard School · Yeovil, Somerset · Up to £44,746 DOE
Headteacher (Ysgol Gynradd Glyncoch) ↗
Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-Coch · Glyncoch, Rhondda Cynon Taff · £76,364 - £88,322 (L16-22)
Head of Careers
Ratcliffe College · Leicester, Leicestershire · £28,912

Browse all live education jobs →
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Worth a Read

Cracking the glass ceiling: AI and the real reform of education ↗

by Al Kingsley MBE

I wrote this one to cut through the hype around AI in schools and focus on what real change looks like. It’s practical and no-nonsense, perfect for anyone grappling with AI in education.

Coming Up

Get Further Forum 2026 ↗ — 26 August 2026, United Kingdom
MATPN South West 2026 ↗ — September 2026, United Kingdom
researchED Cape Town 2026 ↗ — 12 September 2026, South Africa

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