As the Mayor of London last week announced that the provision of Free School Meals (UFSM) for all primary pupils in London would be made permanent if he is re-elected, letters coordinated by The Food Foundation have been sent to all metro mayoral candidates calling for them to champion bringing an end to the school food postcode lottery that leaves struggling families outside of London at a disadvantage. The letters have been sent ahead of mayoral elections on 2nd May to call on all candidates across the UK to support nationwide action to extend free school meals. The 87 signatories inclu ..read more

Key industry leaders discuss challenges faced by young people, how these impact their mental health and what more can be done to improve wellbeing support in secondary schools, colleges and universities How can young people, teachers and caregivers have access to reliable wellbeing support? What are the gaps and solutions for wellbeing provision and what needs to change? On May 16th between 1pm and 2.30pm an online panel discussion of key industry figures from the education community and organisations supporting young people will be discussing the social environment surrounding young people ..read more

Watson Batty Architects has announced a considerable boost to its education sector portfolio with a number of new instructions across the UK. Since the Government committed to increase its allocation for upgrading schools, which includes £1.8 billion for the 2024-25 financial year (source), Watson Batty has seen a surge in business that now accounts for 32% of total turnover. This includes major new build projects for national contractors including Tilbury Douglas, ISG and modular building specialist Algeco UK. Recent instructions include the design and delivery for a new science block at Sain ..read more

The Environment Leaders Programme (Level 3 Qualification, 8 UCAS points) was developed by the Leadership Skills Foundation, WWF and the RSPB. We are often impressed and inspired by the younger generation and their commitment to tackling climate action or their motivations to achieve net zero. We look at them with awe as they take to the streets to encourage our governments to act or carry out actions within their community.  These acts demonstrate their belief in the power of social action to create change. And yet, amongst the Gretas and the unsung local heroes of this generation, there ..read more

Marking 50 years since its formation, YPO, one of the UK’s largest public buying sector organisations, is celebrating a golden milestone with a celebration event, a national tour of local authorities and a significant dividend for member councils. YPO was formed in 1974, the same year that 12 of the organisation’s member local authorities were formed by the Local Government Act 1972. Over the last five decades, the Wakefield-based purchasing organisation has worked closely with its members and the wider public sector to deliver value and generate dividend returns. In 2024, YPO is celebrating a ..read more

Rupert Weber, Head of Education at apetito unveils its game-changing system which delivers ultimate efficiency. “At apetito we’re proud to be different. As the UK’s first and only premium pre-prepared meals system, we offer unrivalled food quality and commercial benefits to schools, which can’t be achieved in traditional in-house or contracted kitchens. From speaking to Headteachers and School Leaders, we know that when it comes to catering, cost and efficiencies are number one priorities for schools at the moment, given the current climate of rising prices, reduced food quality and labour sh ..read more

Education property compliance specialists Inspectas are bringing their expertise and knowledge to the Schools & Academies Show this year. Marking the company’s 10th anniversary, the team is looking forward to meeting existing and potential customers and offering advice around some of the sector’s most challenging building management topics. Since celebrating a decade in business in September 2023, Inspectas has doubled its office space and made a succession of new appointments, strengthening its 50-strong team to help even more schools navigate the minefield of asbestos, health and safety ..read more

Navigating today’s complex Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Back-Office operation is a key challenge for a Chief Financial Operations Officer (CFOO). With rocks and reefs waiting to catch out the business service support team that manage the Trust’s Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Payroll and Reporting activities. The continuing emergence of Trust CFOO underlines the important connection between finance and operations. A properly equipped and empowered CFOO will better support the C-Level with one eye on the Trust’s balance sheet and the other on Back-Office operational performance. Trust cha ..read more

Industry-leading experts in Smart Lockers and Storage and Charging solutions, LapSafe®, share the key benefits of implementing its ChargeLite range (formally  ClassBuddy) into educational institutes. The range consists of three trolley solutions, a desk and wall unit, and a standalone locker: all boasting the same purpose of simultaneously storing, charging, and updating devices in volume. In support of helping to bridge the digital divide, many campuses now ensure all students have equal access to devices by loaning them to students. ChargeLite supports this operation by providing a more ..read more

A West Yorkshire based distributor and stockholder of high-performance decorative panels is celebrating after a scientific surface solution it offers was nationally recognised for making the indoor air quality of UK classrooms safer and healthier. Performance Panels Limited, based in Halifax, supplies and distributes Trespa® TopLab® BASE, a surface panel produced in the Netherlands by Trespa International, that is suitable for science laboratory worktops and cabinetry in schools. Now the product, which has been specially designed for scientific applications and boasts performance qualities inc ..read more