Parents and students may notice a number of changes being made from this September
A number of changes will be made across schools this term(Image: Gareth Copley)
This week, many pupils across the country will be returning to school after a long summer break. It means a return to a familiar routine, but some students and parents may notice a number of key changes being made across the school day this September.
As part of a series of UK-wide rule changes, families may begin seeing changes being made across school policies and even across the curriculum as children return.
This includes a number of changes aimed at reducing educational costs for families, such as the introduction of more free breakfast clubs and a cap on branded items of school uniform.
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Other changes include new restrictions on mobile phone usage in schools. Schools will also be introducing new health and safety policies, particularly aimed at improving allergy safety and awareness.
With a series of new rules coming into force across schools this September, we have run through six key changes below which all parents should know about as the new terms kicks off.
Restrictions on mobile phones
As of September, pupils will not be able to access their mobile phones – including smart devices – for the entirety of the school day. This means students will not be able to use their phones at school regardless of whether they are in class, in between lessons or on a break.
Under new rules, schools must now ensure that pupils do not have access to these devices, either by enforcing a ban or by asking students to hand them in at the start of the day.
At the time of the announcement, the then education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts.
“Our Attendance and Behaviour Hubs will support schools that are struggling to effectively implement phone bans so all our children can learn in phone-free environments. This comes alongside our world-leading curriculum reforms which will ensure children build the media and digital literacy skills needed to thrive at work and throughout life.”
Free school meal eligibility and additional breakfast clubs
A major change to free school meal eligibility comes into force this year, expanding the scheme to millions of additional pupils. More than three million children from families receiving Universal Credit will be able to access free school meals from the start of the new term.
The changes means that all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be eligible. Previously, it was only families with an income under £7,400 who were eligible.
In addition, the new school term will see 1,400 more schools getting free breakfast clubs. This will bring the total number of clubs across the country up to 2,700. This means over 680,000 children will be able to attend free breakfast clubs when they return to school.
On the changes, Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust said: “These measures are a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom. Children can’t learn effectively when hungry, so these efforts will help tackle the effects of child poverty, as well as improving education outcomes for disadvantaged young people.
“Giving free school meals to all families who are eligible for Universal Credit is also easier for parents to understand, so has the potential to increase take up rates. It’s not ‘job done’ on ending child poverty of course, but these collective initiatives mean a genuine improvement in the cost of living for many families around the UK.”
Changes to Ofsted inspections
As part of its annual educational reviews, Ofsted will also be making updates to school inspections from September. Ofsted said it has worked with the Department for Education to create a new statistical model which will group similar schools together.
This will help inspectors understand how well students in one school are doing when comparing them with schools in a similar context.
Branded school uniform items to be restricted
From the start of the school term this September, schools must restrict the number of branded items they require as part of their uniform policies. In line with the new regulations, schools should not require any more than three branded items of school uniform.
Under the new rules, schools must limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to three or fewer. Secondary and middle schools may require four items of compulsory branded uniform and PE kit, if one of these is a tie.
Schools will also need to make sure their school uniform policy is available for all parents, including those of prospective pupils, and publish this on their website. The policy should also be easy for parents to understand, and should clearly indicate which items of uniform are compulsory.
Protecting students with allergies
From September, all schools across England must make important changes to their allergy policies and healthcare plans.
Under new government guidance dubbed ‘Benedict’s Law, schools will now be required to stock life-saving adrenaline auto-injectors and maintain clear allergy policies. Teachers will also be given mandatory allergy training to help them respond quickly and confidently to emergencies.
These changes follow years of campaigning from Helen and Peter Blythe, whose son Benedict tragically died from an allergic reaction to cow’s milk at his primary school in December 2021. The move is the first time dedicated statutory allergy safety guidance has been issued to schools and the government says the new rules will bring consistent, nationwide standards for protecting children.
Helen Blythe, Benedict’s mum and co-founder of the Benedict Blythe Foundation, described the change as “a historic turning point for children with allergies and their families”. She said: “From September, schools across England will have clear national expectations on how they keep children with allergies safe.”
Changes to Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum
Schools will also be required to make changes to their Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum from September. These updates are aimed at more closely reflecting and studying the challenges which young people face currently.
Among the changes to RSHE learning for primary pupils, schools will place a stronger focus on online safety and wellbeing, the use of accurate terminology for body parts and the introduction of personal safety around water, roads, and railways.
For secondary students, the new content will include education on AI literacy, knife crime and conflict resolution. There is also a stronger emphasis on tackling misogyny, incel culture and attitudes towards women and girls, as well as exploring the impact of pornography and more detailed learning on menstrual and gynaecological health.
