CONTENTS Dear Reader,
Welcome to the latest issue – and welcome back after the summer break! It’s September, which means teachers are returning to their classrooms and students – some of
whom will have recently received their summer exam results – are starting a brand-new term, or even a new school, college or university altogether. As we’ll cover in this issue, it’s a time that can bring back-to-school anxiety for many. While some will be starting the new term on a high, having received great results during the holidays, others can really struggle when term-time starts. And looking beyond back-to- school anxiety, our Mental Health & Wellbeing feature this month explores the lingering effects of an even bigger break – the COVID-19 pandemic – and the mental health repercussions of lost learning. For schools, meanwhile, thoughts are often focused on procurement at this time of year. Our Smart Procurement Strategies feature offers some useful insights from experts in this often-challenging area, as Dave Smith, Director of Procurement and Trust- wide Projects at Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, explains how to balance procurement with purpose; while Michelle Walker, Head of Procurement Services at YPO, tells schools what they can do to assess their priorities and plan accordingly. Our regular Buildings, Maintenance and Refurbishment features sees Richard Aylen, Technical Manager at Junckers, delving into the detail on all- things carbon; and Dan Pollard, Production Director of leading offsite manufacturer, Thurston Group, explores what offsite manufacturing can do for the education sector. Meanwhile, HFL Education’s Tracy House shares how schools can make sure they’re getting the most from their Management Information System (MIS). As always, you’ll also find the latest news and views – and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have your own insights to share with us.
Have a great start to the new term!
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
Education today
SEPTEMBER 2025 ChargeLite™
• Q&As • News & Views • Mental Health & Wellbeing • Smart Procurement Strategies
Fast, Efficient & Sustainable Charging
& ChargeLite™
Store, Charge & Update Devices In Volume with Mobile Storage & Charging Solutions From LapSafe®
Read more inside about our Easy Device Management Managing Devices In Your Classroom with ChargeLite™
LapSafe® is the original inventor of the charging trolley and the UK’s leading provider of secure, smart storage and charging solutions. Our classroom-ready trolleys safely charge multiple devices at once, helping schools manage technology efficiently, reduce staff workload, and ensure devices are always ready for teaching and learning.
www.lapsafe.com |
sales@lapsafe.com | 0800 130 3456
https://www.lapsafe.com In this issue... 4-10 NEWS
The latest from across the sector 12 WELLBEING
With Mark Solomons, creator of Welbee 14 BESA CORNER
We hear from BESA supplier members 15 VIEWS
With Peter Doyle and Katie Alexander 16 CONTRIBUTORS
With Naomi Howells and David Bartlett 17 SEND
With Options Autism’s Emma Sanderson 18-19 VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
With Mayessa Hamdan, Inclusion Lead at Abbot’s Hill School
20-25 WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY Comments and insights from across the sector
26-27 Q&A: ACADEMY21 With Amy Husband
28-30 FEATURE: MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
With ParentPay Group’s Louise Pink 32-33 FEATURE: SMART PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES
With Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust’s Dave Smith
34-35 FEATURE: SMART PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES
With Michelle Walker at YPO
36 FEATURE: BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
With Richard Aylen at Junckers
38-40 FEATURE: BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT With Dan Pollard at Thurston Group
42-44 FEATURE: COMPUTING & IT With HFL Education’s Tracy House
Scan Now
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
