The Education Brief: Wednesday 7 January 2026 - Top stories include:

• Margaret Mulholland argues schools have already made real progress on inclusion.

• Sir Martyn Oliver has told headteachers to think carefully about their approach to mobile phones.

• London’s universal primary free school meals scheme has had no measurable impact on pupil attainment in its first year.

• More than 400 schools across the UK have been forced to close due to heavy snow and ice.

• Schools are playing an increasingly central role in early education and childcare.

HEP Updates:

• Book sessions on the https://hepbookinghub.co.uk/ 

• Attend our SEND Conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hep-inclusion-send-conference-2026-neurodiversity-in-the-classroom-tickets-1758147629889

• WalkThrus Coaching course: https://walkthrus.co.uk/latest-events/coaching-with-walkthrus-summer-te-kakwd-r2264

• WalkThrus Coaching One Day Masterclass: https://walkthrus.co.uk/latest-events/coaching-with-walkthrus-summer-te-kakwd-r2264-42yn4

Watching - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBJlwRfbeDQ

Listening - https://haringeyvox.lnk.to/thisworldisyours

Reading - https://localtrust.org.uk/news-and-stories/blog/improving-life-outcomes-for-young-people-in-doubly-disadvantaged-neighbourhoods/

AI Tool - https://openai.com/index/new-chatgpt-images-is-here/

⁠Music by Slo Pony⁠