CONTENTS


Dear Reader, Welcome to the latest issue!


The summer holidays are on the horizon – but before that long-awaited break begins, there’s much to finalise to ensure the new academic year starts seamlessly when September comes around. For many schools and colleges, it’s a time to take stock and consider what’s working – and what isn’t – when it comes to their suppliers and services. And if it’s time for a change, what should they be looking for when selecting a new supplier? Our School Suppliers feature takes the form of a helpful how-to guide to reviewing suppliers, with tips from suppliers themselves – plus a handy checklist from BESA to assist with choosing new suppliers. As for the summer break itself, it’s something pupils and teachers look forward to equally – but what about the summer slide? In our Summer Learning Gap feature, Karen Napier MBE, Chief Executive of The Reading Agency, explains how reading plays a major role in preventing summer learning loss, but also in boosting children’s wellbeing, confidence and readiness to return to school.


Meanwhile, in our regular Buildings, Maintenance & Refurbishment feature, Kevin Lenton, Product Marketing Director of Smart Buildings at ABB Electrification, tells us how intelligent systems can help schools and universities unlock energy savings; while our Computing & IT feature sees Richard Anderton, Head of Education at Sync, tells us why we need to look beyond screen time to focus on how the right IT can strengthen teaching, improve accessibility and prepare learners for a digital future. As ever, you’ll find all the usual news and views – and don’t forget to get in touch via email or on X, too!


Enjoy the issue – and enjoy the summer break too!


Charlotte Westwood Managing Editor


On the cover...


Business Director: Carl Hearnden Managing Editor: Charlotte Westwood Artwork Editor: Kirsty Hood Secretary: Tracey Ballard Published by:


Datateam Business Media Limited, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY Tel: 01622 699128 (Advertising) Tel: 07969 141997 (Editorial) Fax: 01622 757646 Email: education@datateam.co.uk Circulation: Curwood CMS Ltd datateam@c-cms.com Tel: 01580 883844 Fax: 01580 883849 Subscription Prices 2020 Number of editions per year: 11 UK: £52 Overseas: £132


The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for any discrepancies either in copy or between products and/or services listed. Nor can they be responsible for illustrations and/or copy for products which lead to infringement of copyright


2627_042 229x241mm front cover ad_REPRO.indd 1 06/07/2026 11:33


Education today


JULY/AUGUST 2026


Trusted by over 50,000 school leaders, NAHT provides expert support, legal protection, mentoring, and practical leader- ship resources. Whether you’re taking your first steps in leadership or leading a whole school or academy, NAHT has you covered.


uhttps://www.naht.org.uk/ In this issue... 4-8 SCHOOL SUPPLIERS


Guidance on choosing and reviewing your school’s suppliers


10-13 NEWS


The latest from across the sector 16-17 VIEWS


With Sam Luker; Jodie Lopez; Alex Dave; and Rachel Katz


18-19 CONTRIBUTORS


With Naomi Howells, Emma Sanderson, and Sal McKeown


20-21 SEND


Insights from our SEND contributors 22 AI


Exploring AI in education 23 WELLBEING


With Mark Solomons, creator of Welbee


34-35 BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT


With Kevin Lenton, Product Marketing Director of Smart Buildings at ABB Electrification


36-38 COMPUTING & IT


With Richard Anderton, Head of Education at Sync


24-25 VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM With York House School’s Tara Warren 26-31 WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY Views and opinion from across the sector 32-33 SUMMER LEARNING GAP


With Karen Napier MBE, Chief Executive of The Reading Agency


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40