CONTENTS Dear Reader, Welcome to the latest issue!


As we head into the summer holidays, we lead with our Focus on Suppliers feature. It’s that time of year when many schools and education institutions are reflecting on


their suppliers or thinking about refurbishment activity while students are away. The importance of finding a reliable, reputable school supplier shouldn’t be underestimated, which is why we’ve put together this feature, covering everything from stationery to insurance.


Our Feature Focus tackles the summer learning


gap. It’s an often disputed topic; some argue that summer learning loss isn’t significant, while others see it as a very real concern. Either way, most will agree there are some great ways to ensure students sustain their learning while still enjoying their summer break. We explore these in this issue as we hear from TLC LIVE, Explore Learning and Discovery Education. We also put the spotlight on food procurement as we hear from Hayden Hibbert at allmanhall, while this month’s View from the Classroom installment sees us speaking with Ed Charlwood about the place of D&T in schools - and why it’s a subject that’s not to be underestimated. In our regular Buildings, Maintenance & Refurbishment feature, BAM UK & Ireland’s Jim Ward tells us why Passivhaus technology can be the perfect solution for schools; while Pete Miller of ETB Technologies explains why new isn’t always best when it comes to IT solutions in our Computing & IT feature this month. As ever, you’ll find all the usual news, views and expert insights on the most current topics impacting the sector - and all that’s left is for the team at Education Today to wish you a wonderful summer break.


We’ll see you in September!


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


JULY/AUGUST 2025


• Focus on Suppliers • Summer Learning Gap • View from the Classroom • News & Views + more


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Hamish & Milo are dedicated to improving children’s mental health, emotional wellbeing and social development by equipping schools with evidence-based programmes, curriculum resources, training, supervision and an impact platform. They empower school teams to deliver whole-school and targeted SEMH support—creating safe, nurturing environments where all children feel happier, heard and connected.


 https://hamishandmilo.org/ In this issue... 4-10 FOCUS ON SUPPLIERS


A look at some of the sector’s leading suppliers 12-15 NEWS


The latest from across the sector 16 WELLBEING


With Mark Solomons, creator of Welbee 18 BESA CORNER With OxEd 19 VIEWS


With Charles Golding, co-founder of CARGO Movement


20 CONTRIBUTORS


With Naomi Howells and Gareth Conyard 21 SEND


With Options Autism’s Emma Sanderson; and Matthew Long from Evolve Academy


22-23 VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM With Ed Charlwood


24-28 WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY Comments and insights from across the sector


30-31 FEATURE FOCUS: SUMMER LEARNING GAP


With Ryan Lockett from TLC LIVE


32-33 FEATURE FOCUS: SUMMER LEARNING GAP


With Charlotte Gater at Explore Learning


34 FEATURE FOCUS: SUMMER LEARNING GAP With Discovery Education


35 SPOTLIGHT: FOOD PROCUREMENT With Hayden Hibbert of allmanhall


36-37 FEATURE: BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT With Jim Ward of BAM UK & Ireland


38 FEATURE: COMPUTING & IT With Pete Miller from ETB Technologies


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