The Education Brief: Free School Meal Changes

About this episode

The episode discusses recent changes and updates in the education sector, including free school meal changes and various teacher-related issues.

The Education Brief: Wednesday 13 May 2026 - Top stories include: The revised Early Career Framework is landing better with new teachers. The DfE has paused physics and languages bursaries for overseas teacher trainees. The NEU is preparing to formally ballot teachers and support staff for strike action. Sixth form college teachers win a contractual right to planning, preparation and assessment time. Fewer senior leaders now aspire to headship, from 55 per cent in 2018 to just 37 per cent now. School phone bans reduce phone use during the day, but do not automatically improve attainment, attendance, attention or behaviour. HEP Updates: Leadership 55: https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/calendar/leadership-55-with-lee-elliot-major-obe/ Donate to the Horizons 100k in May fundraiser: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/horizons-100km-in-may-2026 Find and book more CPD sessions at https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/ Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u9rfEoi7YQ Listening - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/apr/following-new-generation-understand-childhood-and-inequality-research-real-world Reading - https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/admissions-not-impossible/ AI Tool…

Topics covered

• Free School Meals
• Early Career Framework
• Teacher Strike Action
• Senior Leadership Aspirations
• School Phone Bans
• Professional Development

Keywords

• Free School Meals
• Early Career Framework
• teacher strike
• senior leadership
• school phone bans
• education updates

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Haringey Education Partnership, Department for Education, National Education Union, Sutton Trust

More episodes of HEP Talks

• The Education Brief: Young People and Work - The Milburn Report · June 10, 2026 · 18 min
• The Education Brief: Do Your SEN Interventions Work? · June 3, 2026 · 14 min
• The Education Brief: Insights on How Students Use Devices and Watch Video · May 20, 2026 · 14 min
• The Education Brief: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act Now Law · May 6, 2026 · 13 min
• The Education Brief: A Cap on Supply Agency Fees · April 29, 2026 · 11 min
• The Education Brief: No More Ice Cream! · April 22, 2026 · 13 min