CONTENTS
Dear Reader, Welcome to the latest issue!
January marks the start of the Spring term across the UK. It’s always a busy time – and we’ve got an equally busy issue this month, too.
First, a big thank you to all those who attended the Education Today School & Supplier Awards last month – and congratulations to all winners! It was a great way to end the year, celebrating the many achievements of this brilliant sector. You can take a look at all the highlights, plus an interview with Outstanding Contribution Award winner, Al Kingsley OBE, in our special Awards feature. November last year saw the long-awaited publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report. This month’s issue features a Q&A with Miles McGinley, Managing Director at Cambridge OCR, who shares his initial thoughts on the outcomes of the review – and what we might expect next.
Our Alternative Provision feature sees Sal McKeown explore two standout examples of Alternative Provision which not only work with schools but also provide a path towards employment; while Academy21 discusses the opportunities in online learning. Meanwhile, in our School Trips feature, we take a look at the work being done by Boundless Outdoors to offer fully funded residential trips to schools – while Archway Learning Trust’s Bluecoat Beechdale Academy has planted an ERANDA forest to help bring outdoor learning to its pupils’ doorstep. You’ll also find all the usual news and views – and please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email or @EdTodayMag on X.
Happy New Year!
Charlotte Westwood Managing Editor
On the cover...
Business Director: Carl Hearnden Managing Editor: Charlotte Westwood Artwork Editor: Kirsty Hood Secretary: Tracey Ballard Published by:
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Education today
JANUARY 2026 Supporting Confident
Transitions to Secondary Our Key Stage 2 provision for Years 5 and 6 strengthens core academic and wellbeing skills to support a confident transition to secondary school.
The flexible programme can support internal alternative provision (IAP), reduced timetables, attendance strategies and pupils awaiting specialist provision.
• Awards Feature • Alternative Provision • Q&A: Cambridge OCR • News & Views
Our provision at a glance: Live adaptive teaching with a qualified teacher
3 x 40-minute lessons, 5 days a week Develops functional reading, writing and maths Oracy, wellbeing and PSHE interwoven throughout
Academy21’s Key Stage 2 online alternative provision helps pupils in Years 5 and 6 rebuild confidence, strengthen core skills and prepare for secondary transition. Delivered by qualified teachers, the flexible, DfE-accredited model supports attendance strategies, internal AP and pupils awaiting specialist provision.
Accredited Provision
Learn more:
academy21.co.uk/primary Talk to us:
contact@academy21.co.uk DfE Number: 000/1004
The Online Alternative Provision Experts
u
academy21.co.uk In this issue... 4-12 NEWS
The latest from across the sector 14-20 AWARDS FEATURE
Highlights from the Education Today School & Supplier Awards
22 WELLBEING
With Mark Solomons, creator of Welbee 24 VIEWS
With LGfL and BBC Bitesize 25-28 CONTRIBUTORS
With Sal McKeown, Naomi Howells and Emma Sanderson
29 SEND
With Dr Freya Spicer-White and Rajinder Randhawa
30-31 VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
With Chris Lonsdale from New Hall School, Essex 32-33 Q&A
With Miles McGinley, Managing Director at Cambridge OCR
50 FEATURE: COMPUTING & IT With Cheryl Watson at TechnologyOne
36-39 WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY Views and opinion from across the sector
40-41 FEATURE: ALTERNATIVE PROVISION With Academy21
42-44 FEATURE: ALTERNATIVE PROVISION With Sal McKeown 45 FEATURE: SCHOOL TRIPS With Boundless Outdoors
46 FEATURE: SCHOOL TRIPS With Archway Learning Trust
48 FEATURE: BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
With Morgan Sindall
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