From Page to Pen: Writing for Enjoyment Is Falling Fast, and We Need to Talk About It
Young people’s enjoyment of writing is at its lowest level in 15 years. In this blog, we explore what’s driving the decline, why it matters, and how schools and education suppliers can help reignite a love of writing for creativity, expression, and wellbeing.
No More “Outstanding”: So How Are We Supposed to Value Our Houses Now?!
Ofsted is scrapping single-word school ratings like “Outstanding” in favour of multi-area report cards. But what does that mean for house prices, and British property culture? In this blog, we take a tongue-in-cheek look at the impact, from estate agent chaos to school gate one-upmanship.
Ofsted’s Inspection Reform: A Step Forward or More Chaos?
Ofsted is rolling out major inspection changes from November 2025, but are schools ready? In this blog, we explore what the new framework means for schools, why headteachers are concerned, and what challenges and opportunities it creates for education suppliers and EdTech companies.
Quantity Over Quality? Why the Teacher Recruitment Push Makes Me Want to Cry
Struggling to balance teacher recruitment targets with quality? In this blog, a specialist education recruiter explains why prioritising quantity over quality is a costly mistake, and how education suppliers can help bridge the skills gap through high-quality training and support.
Reading for Pleasure Hits a 20-Year Low: What’s Gone Wrong, and What Can Be Done?
Children’s reading enjoyment has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years, according to new data from the National Literacy Trust. In this blog, we explore what’s behind the decline, why it matters for education, and how EdTech companies and education suppliers can help re-engage young readers through innovation, relevance, and personalised support.
VAT Fallout: What the Private School Exodus Means for State Schools and Education Suppliers
As the government’s VAT policy on private school fees takes effect, thousands of pupils are moving into the state sector — and more private schools may be forced to close. This blog explores the growing impact on both private and state schools, the pressure on state school capacity, potential teacher recruitment gains, and what these changes mean for EdTech companies and education suppliers.
How Schools Are Evolving And What It Means for Education Suppliers
As UK schools adapt to rising pressures, from staff wellbeing to inclusive teaching, education suppliers and EdTech companies must evolve too. This blog explores how schools are changing and what opportunities this creates for those supporting the sector.
SEND Reform Backlash: What It Means, and the Role Education Suppliers Must Play
The proposed SEND reforms could limit EHCPs to special schools, sparking concerns about access to support in mainstream settings. This blog explores the impact of these changes, and the opportunities they create for education suppliers and EdTech companies to support inclusion, early intervention, and tailored learning tools.
Ofsted’s New Grading System: A Big Shift, and a Big Opportunity for Education Suppliers
Ofsted’s move to detailed report cards and a five-point grading scale means schools must assess quality, behaviour, leadership, and safeguarding more precisely—and suppliers of data analytics, assessment tools, and improvement services have a fresh opportunity to support that deeper dive into school performance.
Learning Begins with the Environment: A Response to the RAAC Crisis
The RAAC crisis has exposed deeper issues in school infrastructure—and highlighted how the physical learning environment directly impacts student wellbeing, motivation, and outcomes. In this blog, we explore why safe, well-designed spaces matter, how reactive government policy continues to fail schools, and what opportunities this creates for education suppliers like Morleys who design and furnish modern, inclusive learning environments.
Is EdTech Really to Blame for Too Much Screen Time?
Is EdTech really to blame for excessive screen time in schools? This blog challenges recent media claims, highlighting that much educational technology supports staff, not students, and that screen use in schools is determined by teachers — not tech companies. With digital skills more important than ever, we explore why thoughtful use of EdTech can empower students and enhance learning, not hinder it.
Debunking the Myth of Academy Freedoms – and What It Means for Education Suppliers
As the myth of academy freedoms is challenged, education experts call for a smarter, trust-led system. Discover what the shift means for multi-academy trusts, and how education suppliers and EdTech companies can adapt to succeed in a trust-led future.
Students More Concerned Than Educators About AI in Education – Why That’s a Wake-Up Call for the Sector
New research from Turnitin reveals students are more concerned than educators about AI’s impact on learning. With growing fears around misuse, critical thinking, and ethical use, this blog explores why educators must take AI more seriously—and what EdTech companies and education suppliers can do to help schools harness AI effectively and responsibly.
The Real Reason Most EdTech and Education Suppliers Make Mis-Hires (and How to Avoid It)
Many EdTech and education suppliers make costly mis-hires due to poor role planning. In this blog, we explore the most common cause of recruitment failure—and how Connecting Education’s strategic planning process helps businesses hire the right people, avoid wasted time and money, and build long-term success.
Mind the Gap: How EdTech and Education Suppliers Can Help Bridge the Socio-Emotional Skills Crisis
A new NFER report reveals a gap in young people’s socio-emotional skills. This blog explores how EdTech and education suppliers can help close it by embedding social and emotional learning into their tools and services.
The Procurement Act 2023: What It Means for Education Suppliers
The Procurement Act 2023 came into effect on 24 February 2025, introducing new digital procurement processes for state schools, MATs, and local authorities. Education suppliers must adapt to stricter transparency rules, digital tendering, and increased competition. Read our latest blog to understand the key changes and how EdTech providers and education businesses can stay ahead.
AI is Revolutionising Teaching – But Are Schools Ready?
AI is transforming education, with 60% of UK teachers now using AI to reduce workload, improve lesson planning, and streamline admin tasks. However, 76% have received no AI training, highlighting a major gap in support. For EdTech companies and education suppliers, this shift presents huge opportunities—schools need AI-powered solutions, CPD training, and seamless integrations. Discover how AI is shaping classrooms and what businesses can do to support educators. Read more to explore the future of AI in education.
The UK EdTech Job Market in 2025: Booming or Under Pressure?
The UK EdTech job market in 2025 is evolving rapidly, with AI, data analytics, and digital learning reshaping the demand for skills. While the UK EdTech sector is expected to grow to £9.5 billion by 2028, automation and changing investment trends are transforming recruitment. Employers are seeking AI specialists, data analysts, digital content creators, and project managers to drive innovation. However, a skills shortage and regulatory challenges are creating hiring difficulties. Discover the latest trends, in-demand skills, and job opportunities in the UK’s booming EdTech industry. 🚀
Guest Post: Sleep and habits, playground games and ECT expectations vs reality
Did you know that traditional playground games are on the decline in UK schools? Recent Teacher Tapp research reveals a drop in hopscotch markings, skipping ropes, and ball games since 2019, with teachers reporting that many children simply don’t know how to play these games anymore. 📉
What’s causing this shift? Shorter break times, increased screen use at home, and budget constraints on playground resources are among the key factors. But how does this impact children’s behaviour, social skills, and overall health?
Find out more in this guest post from Teacher Tapp, where we explore the latest data on playground activity trends, childhood habits, and the evolving school environment.
Celebrating Positivity in UK Education: Finding the Silver Lining
Discover the untold success stories in UK education! While headlines often focus on challenges like funding cuts and teacher shortages, this blog highlights inspiring developments—rising forest schools, groundbreaking mental health initiatives, Ed Sheeran’s music foundation, and more. Let’s celebrate the positivity shaping the future of education. Read on for the good news we all need!