Smartphones, Safety and SEND Shake-Up

Saturday, 26 September 2026 — Tech, inclusion and support are shaping education this week

Top Stories

Policy

Schoolchildren without smartphones face higher bus fares ↗

Some councils offer cheaper bus travel only via smartphone apps, penalising kids without devices despite schools banning phones. This highlights a digital divide impacting families and access to education.

Source: The Guardian
SEND

Biggest ever SEND teacher training overhaul begins ↗

New training materials aim to support every teacher in educating children with SEND. This is a landmark move, but success hinges on schools getting the right resources and time to embed changes.

Source: DfE announcements
Wellbeing

What Luna Wong’s tragic death reveals about international students’ care ↗

This heartbreaking story exposes gaps in support for vulnerable international students in the UK. It’s a stark warning for schools and colleges to prioritise wellbeing and safeguarding.

Source: The Guardian
Policy

More enriching activities funded for disadvantaged schools ↗

Over 400 schools will benefit from a £22.5 million investment to expand enrichment opportunities. This boost is timely to help level the playing field for children in tougher areas.

Source: DfE announcements
Al's Take
The smartphone bus fare story caught my eye because it hits at the everyday challenges families face. It’s a reminder that tech solutions must work for everyone, not just those with the latest devices. Meanwhile, the biggest overhaul of SEND training is a real step forward, but schools need practical support to deliver it well. Finally, the focus on keeping kids safe online and in school remains critical. Lots to unpack for school leaders this week.

Number of the Day

859
That’s how many education news items we’ve curated just this week. Shows how fast things are moving and why staying on top of the latest is crucial. (Platform stats)

Jobs Spotlight

Headteacher
Priors Hall - A Learning Community · Corby, East Midlands · Leadership Scale L11 to L24
Assistant Head Teacher - English Lead
Norwood Primary School · Cambridgeshire
Lunchtime and After School Club Playleader ↗
Bowes Primary School · London · £29,562 - £29,985 (FTE)
Project Director ↗
Hays Education · London

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Worth a Read

Young people, learning, and generative AI: A rapid literature review ↗

by Dr Matthew Hill (Barker Institute)

This review gives a clear, practical look at how AI is already influencing young learners and what schools need to consider as it becomes part of everyday education.

Coming Up

World of Learning Birmingham 2026 ↗ — 6-7 Oct 2026, United Kingdom
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2026 ↗ — 29 Sep - 2 Oct 2026, USA
researchED Saint Louis 2026 ↗ — 26 Sep 2026, USA

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