A private community for school leaders.
When a decision needs another perspective, talk it through with other school leaders. Paid membership also brings education updates and practical resources together in one place.
For headteachers and school leadership teams. Over 5,450 community members, founder-led since 2012.
Peer support, updates and resources
Membership includes:
- Private peer support for people currently carrying school-leadership responsibility
- Current statutory guidance updates
- All downloadable resources
From £450 + VAT per year
Joining with your school or trust?
Explore membership options for your team, or ask us about school membership.
Keep up with education changes
DfE and Ofsted updates for England, alongside wider education news, with links to the sources.
Consultation closes on 30 Oct
Teachers’ Pension Scheme regulations: 2027 proposed amendments
The seven newest changes
Checked 14 Oct 2026 · newest change 14 Oct 2026 · 67 GOV.UK documents watched
14 OctKey stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangementsPrimary schools
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)No summary. GOV.UK’s note:
Due to technical issues, the following forms on the National Curriculum Assessments Portal will now be available from Monday 2 November (rather than Monday 12 October): 'Submit local authority monitoring and moderation agreement requests' form for academies and participating independent schools, 'Approve monitoring and moderation agreement requests' form for local authorities. Schools and local authorities can still discuss and put agreements in place before the forms open.
12 OctPrimary assessments: future datesPrimary schools
Written by AI, not individually reviewed
Assessment dates for the 2028 to 2029 academic year have been added. Two new downloadable assessment calendars for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 for the 2026 to 2027 academic year are now available.
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK’s note
Added assessment dates for the academic year 2028 to 2029. Also added the two new downloadable calendars with important dates for key stage 1 and key stage 2 assessments in the academic year 2026 to 2027.
8 OctSchool uniform guidanceAll schools
Written by AI, not individually reviewed
The guidance and its associated template documents are being reviewed to reflect the Procurement Act 2023.
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK’s note
Added statement to the guidance on 'Procuring school uniform supplies' confirming that the guidance and the associated template documents are being reviewed to reflect the Procurement Act 2023.
7 OctAcademies Accounts DirectionAcademy trusts
Written by AI, not individually reviewed
The guide for submitting audited financial statements for 2025 to 2026 has been published and the online accounts submission coversheet is open.
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK’s note
We’ve published our guide to submitting your audited financial statements for 2025 to 2026. The accounts submission coversheet online form is now open.
7 OctFree school meals — guidance for schoolsMaintained schools, academies and non-maintained special schools
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)No summary. GOV.UK’s note:
Added guidance on implementing changes to free school meals.
2 OctThe Prevent duty: safeguarding learners (DfE)All schools
Written by AI, not individually reviewed
The 'Concerning behaviours' section of the practical guidance for DSLs has been updated to include guidance on fixation with weaponry or explosives and guidance regarding antisemitism.
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK’s note
Added guidance on weaponry or explosives fixation, and on antisemitism, to the 'Concerning behaviours' section of 'The Prevent duty: practical guidance for designated safeguarding leads'.
1 OctAcademy Trust HandbookAcademy trusts
Written by AI, not individually reviewed
Paragraph 2.30 clarifies that MIS contracts must be awarded under the DfE’s MIS framework as soon as practicable after its planned launch in September 2027. Existing contracts may be extended for a maximum of 12 months if they expire before the framework launches, and any new re-procurements must include the DfE’s MIS Core Principles.
Open on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK’s note
Updated the Academy Trust Handbook 2026 to further clarify procurement requirements for management information systems (MIS) in paragraph 2.30.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Planners and downloadable resources
Printed planners built from headship experience, plus downloadable templates you can buy individually or access as a member.
Planners
Headteacher Planner® 2026/27
4.6/5 from 23 reviews across our planners
The HeadteacherChat® Headteacher Planner®. Track leadership priorities, school improvement, safeguarding & wellbeing in one place. Sold out 5 years in a row.
The content changes with the job
Downloadable resources
Curriculum and Teaching Audit for Schools (2026/27, Ofsted Toolkit)
£20.00
Inclusion School Evaluation and Improvement Plan (2026/27, Ofsted Toolkit)
£35.00
Starting out in Headship: What you need to know, do and prepare for.
£15.00
Save time and find the right solution for your school
Meet organisations helping schools with safeguarding, curriculum, staffing, technology, finance and school improvement.
Find a solution for your schoolSome organisations featured are commercial partners. HeadteacherChat® may receive a fee or commission from partnerships or purchases made through our links. Schools remain responsible for their own due diligence and procurement decisions.
Membership questions
How much does membership cost?
£450 + VAT per year (£540 inc. VAT) or £45 + VAT per month (£54 inc. VAT) — all downloadable resources available in the member community.
Who is membership for?
People currently carrying school-leadership responsibility.
Are downloadable resources included?
Yes. Paid members can access all downloadable resources. Anyone can buy a resource once.
Bring your next leadership question to the community
Join for private peer support, education updates and the downloadable resource library.