One year on from her review of the child protection system, Professor Eileen Munro

Schools to be notified by phone the afternoon before Ofsted check

Ofsted has rubberstamped plans to reduce the amount of notice given to schools ahead of an inspection from September this year.

Following a consultation into wider changes to schools inspections, the watchdog confirmed that inspectors would move to a system whereby they notify schools by phone the afternoon before a check is due to take place.

Ofsted had proposed conducting school inspections without any notice at all, but decided to amend the plans, since head teachers

NSPCC survey finds violence in the home increases risk of antisocial behaviour in children

Children who witness family violence are more likely to seriously harm another person, run away from home, be excluded from school or carry a weapon, according to a survey by the NSPCC.

The research, which questioned more than 6,000 children, young people and carers in England, found that children who see violence between their parents or other family members are four times as likely as their peers to carry a knife or hurt someone.

They are also three times more likely to be involved in a range of antisocial behaviour such as bullying, stealing or vandalism and twice as likely to be excluded from school.

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “This research is particularly timely with the government’s focus on

From September 2012 regulations no longer require schools to publish a prospectus and have a curriculum policy, thus avoiding duplication of effort, and unnecessary cost.

Regulation of providers on the Early Years Register: a report on the responses to consultation

Revised standards for Early Years Professional Status

Following a review, the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) standards have been revised.

The standards, originally launched in 2007, are the basis for the assessment and accreditation for the award of EYPS and set out the national expectations for anyone wishing to gain the status.

Since its launch, over 9,700 Early Years Professionals have successfully achieved EYPS and are working across England, making a positive difference to children’s learning and development every day.

The revised EYPS standards have been developed taking into account policy development, consultation with the early years sector including Early Years Professionals and training providers, and advice from an external reference group.

The proposed standards have been strengthened, particularly around leadership, supporting children