Poverty doesn’t pause for Christmas

This is an edited version of an article that appeared in The Yorkshire Post on 10 December 2025 in which Matt Bromley argues that schools can do more to ease the financial burden of the festive period for families… Poverty doesn’t pause for Christmas; rather, the festive season magnifies it. There are presents to buy, food toContinue reading “Poverty doesn’t pause for Christmas”

Why access to the arts is important

This is an edited version of an article that appeared in The Yorkshire Post on 25 November 2025 in which Matt Bromley argues that access to an arts education is important for young people, as well as society and the economy… The last time I went to the theatre, which was last month at the Hull NewContinue reading “Why access to the arts is important”

Tackling inequalities at school is vital

This is an edited version of an article that appeared in The Yorkshire Post on 11 November 2025 in which Matt Bromley argues that the government must abolish the two child limit on benefits, ensure the recent expansion of free school meals is re-coupled with the Pupil Premium, and properly invest in the Best Start programme toContinue reading “Tackling inequalities at school is vital”

School libraries open new worlds

This is an edited version of an article that appeared in The Yorkshire Post on 28 October 2025 in which Matt Bromley argues that the government’s investment in school libraries is needed to help children flourish unhindered by background… At the Labour party conference in Liverpool this month, chancellor Rachel Reeves promised a library in every primaryContinue reading “School libraries open new worlds”

Thomas and Tommy Revisited – Part One

This is an edited extract from Making the Classroom Work for Every Child, the second book in the Equity in Education series published by Routledge, which is available now. Click here for more details. The story so far  In Book 1 in the Equity in Education series, Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child, weContinue reading “Thomas and Tommy Revisited – Part One”

Understanding the new Ofsted evaluation areas: 6. Leadership and Governance

In the final instalment in this 6-part series originally published in SecEd Magazine, Matt Bromley analyses Ofsted’s new evaluation areas. In this article, he explores leadership and governance… Ofsted’s new inspection framework has been unveiled and the first inspections have begun. In this series, I am exploring the six core evaluation areas that schools areContinue reading “Understanding the new Ofsted evaluation areas: 6. Leadership and Governance”

Understanding the new Ofsted evaluation areas: 5. Personal Development

In the fifth of six articles originally published in SecEd Magazine, Matt Bromley analyses Ofsted’s new evaluation areas. In this article, he explores personal development… Ofsted’s new inspection framework has been unveiled and is rolling out this month (November). In this series, I am exploring the six core evaluation areas that schools are to beContinue reading “Understanding the new Ofsted evaluation areas: 5. Personal Development”

Supporting high attaining learners: Part 3

In this three-part series, Matt Bromley considers practical approaches for supporting ‘high-attaining’ students. This is part three. Catch up with parts one and two. The first article in this series offered five practical strategies for challenging high-attaining learners as well as five more for motivating them and avoiding apathy. And in part two I offeredContinue reading “Supporting high attaining learners: Part 3”

Supporting high attaining learners: Part 2

In this three-part series, Matt Bromley considers practical approaches for supporting ‘high-attaining’ students. This is part two. Catch up with part one here. In part one of this three-part series, I argued that it is easy to overlook high-attainers because they’re often compliant; they are less likely to be truculent and thus are unlikely to raiseContinue reading “Supporting high attaining learners: Part 2”

Understanding the new Ofsted evaluation areas: 4. Attendance and Behaviour

In the fourth of six articles originally published in SecEd Magazine, Matt Bromley analyses Ofsted’s new evaluation areas. In this article, he explores attendance and behaviour… Ofsted’s new inspection framework has been unveiled and will be introduced from November. I wrote previously dissecting key aspects of the framework and setting out some initial actions thatContinue reading “Understanding the new Ofsted evaluation areas: 4. Attendance and Behaviour”