Teachers urged to report illicit vapes ahead of disposables ban implementation on 1 June
The independent charity Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to combat the illegal sale and distribution of illicit vapes as the UK prepares to enforce a nationwide ban on disposable vapes starting 1 June 2025. Working alongside law enforcement agencies, local councils, and public health partners, the charity is urging communities to remain vigilant and report any activity linked to the illicit vape trade. From 1 June, the sale of disposable vapes will be illegal across the UK. Despite this, unscrupulous vendors will continue to sell these products illegally, likely in cash-only transactions at convenience stores, market stalls, online platforms, and even in places like barbershops and phone repair kiosks. These products pose serious health risks – they are unregulated, untested, and may contain dangerously high levels of nicotine and harmful substances such as lead and nickel. Criminal gangs are increasingly involved in the illicit vape market, using these illegal sales to fund other serious crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. Disturbingly, vulnerable individuals, especially minors, are being exploited through coercive practices, with some children being pressured into buying or selling illicit vapes in exchange for money or favours. Crimestoppers is committed to protecting communities by encouraging the public to stay alert and provide anonymous information about illegal vape activity. Your tip-off can help prevent harm and dismantle criminal networks. How to spot illicit vapes: What information helps: Your anonymous tip can make a real difference in safeguarding public health and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. Help us keep communities safe by reporting any suspected illegal vape activity. Remember: you can contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously – call 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Swift intervention needed to address maths education crisis in UK, warn Lords Committee
The future of maths education in the UK is facing a deepening crisis as a result of long-standing teacher shortages and declining retention rates, a GCSE maths qualification structure that fails 30 per cent of students, and a decline in funding for adult numeracy education despite over half of UK adults having only low numeracy skills. Following an evidence session with leading maths education advocates, including teacher-TV presenter Bobby Seagull, the Lords Science and Technology Committee has written to the Education Secretary, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, setting out its deep concerns for the future of mathematics education in the UK. The Committee heard that the current GCSE examination system routinely fails 30 per cent of students who are unable to obtain Grade 4 in GCSE maths even after resits, leaving them with nothing to show for their mathematics education. Witnesses argued that the rigid focus on obtaining a Grade 4 at GCSE disadvantages many students. The Committee supported their argument for the creation of a widely recognised, criterion-based, functional mathematics qualification, that would allow students who don’t pass GCSE maths to demonstrate their numeracy skills. The Committee are concerned that the UK has missed targets to recruit specialist maths teachers for over a decade, despite generous bursaries. I t heard that policies to expand access to CPD, to extend flexibility to teachers who wish to work part-time, to recruit from a wider pool of graduates and post-graduates, and to support training programmes for other subject teachers to become mathematics specialists could help address the apparent crisis in mathematics teaching and asks the Minister what measures the Government will take to resolve these problems in recruitment and retention. The Committee further asks what consideration has been given to reforming the maths education system in light of the growing use of AI, citing recent reports from the Royal Society’s Mathematical Futures and Maths Horizons programmes. The Committee highlight that adult numeracy levels in the UK are concerningly low, with over half of the adult population having only low numeracy skills, yet the UK will not have a flagship adult numeracy scheme after the conclusion of the Multiply programme. The Committee asks what plans have been made to fund adult numeracy and a numeracy skills programme following the conclusion of Multiply, building on the lessons learned from that programme, and calls for a national campaign to raise awareness and engagement with adult numeracy schemes. The Committee asks the Secretary of State to respond to its concerns and supporting evidence by 30 June 2025.
Celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week with The World of Peter Rabbit™
Schools are invited to inspire the next generation of young gardeners during National Children’s Gardening Week, running from 24 May to 1 June 2025. National Children’s Gardening Week was the brainwave of Neil Grant, Managing director of Ferndale Garden Centre near Sheffield who is also BBC Radio Sheffield’s garden expert and co-presenter of their weekly garden phone in, and it’s widely supported by the whole of the UK garden industry. It’s now an annual festival of fun that’s embraced in homes, schools, and community groups across the country, and supports the amazing Greenfingers charity, which is dedicated to providing magical gardens for children in hospices suffering from life limiting illnesses. Building on the success of previous years, National Children’s Gardening Week is once again teaming up with The World of Peter Rabbit™ to bring the joy of gardening to children of all ages. Not only will there be free digital Grow with Peter Rabbit activity booklets packed full of mischievous and fun activities available to download, but a range of events will also take place across the UK to encourage children to explore the wonder of gardening. Events include Swarkestone Nursery in Derby hosting a free bee hunt, Jealotts Hill Community Landshare in Bracknell hosting a spring into summer fete, Plantsplus Garden Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne holding a children’s gardening club – Budding Botanists, and Kershaws Garden Centre in West Yorkshire will host Paint a Pot and free seed planting. You can see these and more events listed at www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk/gardening-events To get involved, visit the webpage where you will find everything you need to celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week with Peter Rabbit! www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk Follow the hashtags on social media: #NCGW #ChildrensGardeningWeek #GardeningIsFun #GrowwithPeterRabbit Facebook @nationalchildrensgardeningweek @officialpeterrabbit Instagram @officialpeterrabbit
Changing the cyber security culture in schools starts with awareness, says Espria
Cyber security incidents in the education sector are on the rise but embedding good digital habits and awareness can reduce the risk. The Cybersecurity Breaches Survey 2025 – commissioned by the Home Office and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology – found that 91% of higher education establishments identified security breaches during the previous year, higher than businesses (43%) who experienced an attack. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies and persistent threats, it is imperative for educational institutions to adopt robust cybersecurity measures. “The remote learning movement required by the pandemic has brought about many positive changes in the education sector such as increased flexibility and learning access,” said Brian Sibley, VCTO at Espria “Schools are expanding their use of technology for administrative tasks, as well as teaching and learning, and therefore distributing resources across various devices. “However, this convenience has also accelerated cyber vulnerabilities. “Entrusted to be stewards of student data, educational organisations have an additional responsibility to protect their student, and other stakeholder information that is now stored digitally. “A single set of credentials from a privileged user is all a cybercriminal would need to execute an impactful breach of student or organisational financial data. “Changing the culture around cybersecurity can improve perceptions of the risks involved. “When staff and students become more aware, they can achieve a better understanding of security measures needed to strengthen the entire organisations posture.” Sibley urged all educational establishments to take action with a comprehensive security approach that integrates basic cyber hygiene and mitigating measures. “Just like personal hygiene, maintaining good health by taking regular recommended actions can avoid any bad outcomes. “Cyber hygiene practices involve a combination of technical controls, policies, and user behaviours. “The goal is not to eliminate all external threats as these are out of your control but reduce the risk of an attack occurring and having the measures in place to keep sensitive data secure. “An easy but effective first step solution is security awareness training. By conducting ongoing training sessions for administrators, staff and students, these organisations can keep everyone informed about the latest threats and embed best cyber hygiene practices into the everyday rhythm of school, college or university operations. “These training efforts can also help individuals understand their role in safeguarding digital assets, networks and identities while fostering a proactive security culture across the organisation. “Though it might seem like a compliance activity, it can create a strong first line of defence that prevent attacks from occurring.” Sibley continues to describe the quick and cost-effective cybersecurity controls that institutions can implement to protect staff and students on school systems and networks. “Education systems that aggregate vast amounts of confidential information should never be exposed without multi-factor authentication. Allowing broad access creates a single-point-of-failure that can be easily breached through one set of misplaced credentials. “Implementing a mandatory two-factor authentication, access control permissions based on privileges principles and regularly checking your systems for security vulnerabilities can reduce your attack surface. Institutes can take a further step to secure both their security architecture and network by eliminating unnecessary internet connections, restricting remote access, and protecting data through regular system backups so all essential work is secure and available. “Clear policies are also essential to guide staff on the best cyber approaches and ensure everyone understands their responsibilities in maintaining security. Coupled with a simple reporting mechanism to raise awareness of suspicious activities without fear of reprisal will allow individuals to feel confident alerting IT teams and inspire widespread adoption of best practices.” Sibley concludes: “The education sector is embracing remote learning and digital access, but they must still practice good cyber hygiene by empowering individuals with cyber knowledge and fortifying the organisation’s network. It requires policy, procedure, time and consistent training but if done right, the success rate of attacks can be significantly dampened, and digital environments will become safer for staff and students to use.”
Free app helps tackle mobile phone misuse and improves pupils’ focus
DiGi blocks distracting apps without confiscating phones – Share this with your parents and pupils today to help them during their revision period. The hit drama “Adolescence” has exposed the harsh reality of how phones and internet misuse radicalise children and fuel bullying. Parents are scrambling for solutions and often look to already-stretched educators. Research from the University of Birmingham showed that school-only bans aren’t enough – students need consistent boundaries at school AND at home. “Parents expect schools to help solve the screen time problem. But poor digital habits are developed at home, impacting sleep, mental health and performance at school”, says DiGi cofounder, Andrew Mellor. “DiGi allows parents to schedule phone-free time for study, sleep, socialising or family. Distracting apps are blocked without confiscating phones allowing parents to limit the time their kids spend on social media without a fuss.” ● No Confiscation Required: Phones stay with students, but distracting apps are automatically blocked ● Schedules: Sleep and study schedules can be set by parents. ● Tasks: Parents can set tasks for children to complete before earning screen time. ● Instant Restoration: All services return immediately when tasks are completed or schedules end. Research proves phone restrictions boost academic performance. The London School of Economics’ landmark 2015 study revealed: ● Phone bans increased test scores by 6+ percentage points ● Low-achieving students gained the most benefit ● Results equivalent to adding an extra week of school annually DiGi invites parents to download DiGi for free during the exam period and help their teenagers get better results. . Parents can download DiGi from the App Store and Google Play. DiGi also has a solution for blocking pupils’ phones at school. Email contact@digitheapp.com to find out how we can future proof your school.
From tools to transformation: rethinking edtech for creative classrooms
Technology is now an integral part of everyday life, and its presence in education continues to grow. However, conversations around educational technology (edtech) often focus too narrowly on issues like cost, functionality, or logistical barriers. What is frequently overlooked is the transformative potential of edtech when implemented thoughtfully. Rather than complicating the work of educators, effective integration can empower teachers, spark creativity and support long-term school improvement. Enhancing creativity with dynamic tools In today’s world, creativity is a fundamental skill. Yet traditional teaching methods don’t always provide the flexibility required to nurture it. Edtech offers a powerful means to inspire creativity through immersive and interactive experiences that encourage students to explore, collaborate, and solve problems in new ways. Modern technologies, such as visual display solutions, gamified learning, and virtual reality, turn conventional learning into dynamic, engaging experiences for both students and teachers. These tools enrich the overall learning journey by incorporating varied media formats that appeal to different learning styles. The most effective solutions are intuitively adaptable, enabling teachers to tailor content to suit specific class groups or even individual learners’ needs or learning styles. This personalisation not only increases engagement but also provides an opportunity for every student’s creative potential to be unlocked. Supporting teachers, not burdening them To cultivate this creativity in classrooms, teachers must be given the time and tools to focus on what matters most – supporting their students. If not implemented strategically, new technologies run the risk of adding to teacher stress. However, when thoughtfully integrated, edtech can streamline administrative tasks and enhance teaching delivery and quality, enabling teachers to prioritise student development. Some examples of these new technologies are cloud-based collaboration platforms and intuitive interactive displays, which simplify lesson planning and content sharing. Teachers can switch seamlessly between different resources, saving valuable time while boosting the quality of instruction. When considering which edtech solutions may be most effective at supporting teachers, those that are designed with educators in mind and prioritise user experience and flexibility to support diverse classroom needs will be most successful.. Integration that complements, not complicates Successful edtech adoption hinges on seamless integration into daily classroom life. All too often, technology is introduced without sufficient consideration of how it aligns with a school’s teaching ethos or wider educational goals. Rather than trying to replace the traditional teaching methods, the most effective tools are the ones that enhance and support them. An interactive display, for instance, should act as a springboard for class discussion and group activity, not simply serve as a digital whiteboard. Likewise, collaborative platforms should enhance project-based learning by making it easier for students to share ideas and work together creatively. When technology blends naturally into teaching and learning routines, it becomes an enabler of engagement and innovation. A catalyst for long-term improvement Ultimately, the success of edtech in education is determined by its implementation. When schools adopt technology with a clear purpose and focus on creativity, it becomes more than a classroom tool– it becomes a catalyst for lasting transformation. By empowering teachers and students alike to experiment and think differently, edtech fosters a culture of adaptability, innovation and continuous improvement throughout the school community.
Twinkl offers free access to Natterhub online safety platform to all primary schools
Following growing concerns about the wellbeing of young people online – brought into sharper focus by Netflix drama Adolescence -Twinkl will make Natterhub, the highly regarded online safety platform, freely available to all schools. Natterhub is specifically designed as an early intervention program that enables educators to engage primary-aged pupils to mitigate online challenges – such as those highlighted in Adolescence – in an age-appropriate way. Natterhub empowers educators to lead meaningful discussions on crucial topics such as bullying, grooming, coercion, and the protection of personal data. This initiative provides educators with a toolkit to deliver impactful and appropriate digital safety education, equipping pupils with the knowledge they need for an AI-focused future. “Educators have been supporting pupils and families in this important area for many years, and we, at Twinkl, share the passion for preparing children for real world readiness,” said Jonathan Seaton, CEO at Twinkl. “Natterhub offers a comprehensive solution for educators that aligns with our mission to foster safe and thriving learning environments for all young people.” Caroline Allams, co-founder at Natterhub, added: “The primary school years are a critical period for social and emotional development, so we are proud to support educators to equip children to manage social and emotional scenarios in digital settings. Natterhub is all about the human aspects of being a digital citizen.” Schools can find more information about the initiative on the Twinkl website and apply for 12 months of free access to Natterhub by completing the registration form here by April 30th, 2025.
Climate Education marks a year of success with free taster memberships
A one-stop sustainability platform for schools is offering free taster memberships to celebrate its first anniversary. Launched in 2024 by Peterborough-based environment charity PECT, Climate Education brings together over 25 years of knowledge and resources to help schools develop DfE-stipulated Climate Action Plans. It is now offering schools a chance to join its growing network for free. Developed by teachers, Climate Education covers five core areas of sustainability: food, the natural environment, travel and health, waste, and climate change. These dovetail with the Department for Education’s four pillars of climate action: decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, and climate education and green careers. They also align closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Full members of Climate Education not only get access to a library of teaching resources but also get an interactive Climate Action Plan Tool, including carbon footprint tracking and a flexible accreditation pathway for showcasing their ongoing progress. To date, Climate Education members have made over 200 pledges, ranging from tree-planting and food-waste initiatives to litter audits and single-use plastic boycotts. These pledges form part of each school’s Climate Action Plan. Climate Education has already the enriched the education of over 19,000 young people, over 23 per cent of whom are eligible for pupil premium funding. Climate Education goes above and beyond tracking and celebrating staff and pupil-led climate action. It takes a holistic approach to curriculum-based learning and sustainability in schools. “Our hands-on approach is what makes us different,” says Heidi Latronico-Ferris, Environmental Education Lead at PECT. “We go into schools to run classroom-based and outdoor learning sessions, making complex topics accessible and relatable. Pupils learn how the different branches of sustainability are all interconnected – and how individuals’ actions can, collectively, have a positive impact globally. “We offer outdoor learning teacher training and the Royal Forestry Society’s Junior Forestry Award as well,” adds Heidi. Climate Education also provides school site development plans, advising how best to manage outside space for nature and outdoor learning. Other optional membership extras include tree planting and wildflower meadow creation packages. The new, free membership plan gives a taster of what is on offer, including a limited number of resources and a subscription to Climate Education’s termly newsletter. “Our network of schools is growing all the time,” says Heidi. “As we head into our second year, we’re excited to be supporting members in making positive changes in their school communities.” Find out more about Climate Education at www.climateeducation.co.uk
Pudsey joins the BBC Moodboosters Live Lesson line-up
Everyone’s favourite bandana-wearing bear, Pudsey, will be making a special guest appearance as BBC Moodboosters teams up with BBC Children in Need for a Live Lesson to be broadcast on Friday 9 May. He’ll join hosts, Rhys Stephenson and Evie Pickerill, for a 30-minute lesson packed with techniques to help children deal with their worries, keep calm and build self-belief. Mental health expert, Dr Tharaka Gunarathne, will be in the Zen Den offering practical advice throughout. The programme will dip into the BBC Moodboosters collection to encourage children to get active whilst supporting their mental health and wellbeing. Dr Ranj Singh will be showing children how to practice affirmation. Strictly Come Dancing winner, Oti Mabuse, will be breathing away their worries. And Rhys will be showing pupils how to be more present. The BBC Moodboosters Live Lesson will be available from 9am on the BBC Teach website, and broadcast at 11am on CBBC and BBC iPlayer. A teaching guide and activity sheets are available to download on the BBC Teach website. Schools can get involved by emailing their shout-outs to live.lessons@bbc.co.uk with Moodboosters as the subject or by using the hashtag #BBCLiveLessons. www.bbc.co.uk/teach