Source: Department for Education published on this website Friday 17 2026 by Jill Powel

Families will receive new support from today to help children prepare for school, as the government rolls out a package of measures from primary school offer day through to the first day in September.

The move comes as over a third (37%) of children are starting school without the basic skills they need for the classroom, with teachers and charities finding many children arriving in Reception unable to use the toilet independently, communicate clearly or follow simple instructions.

As part of the government’s mission to get a record number of children school ready, the guidance published today – on primary school offer day – will provide parents with a clear idea of what good support looks like from schools and early years settings to help their child transition into Reception.

For the first time, new guidance sets out how schools, nurseries, and childminders should work together as one system around families to get children ready for Reception – making clear that Offer Day is the starting gun for children beginning their school education.

It sets three key building blocks for a smooth start: strong relationships with families, close partnership working between schools, nurseries and childminders, and early identification of children’s needs, including SEND.  It includes practical examples to follow, like home visits and stay and play sessions, giving families the opportunity to visit their new school, or for teachers to visit children in their early years setting.

The package is backed by continued investment in the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme until 2029, and comes as a new national campaign, fronted by award-winning teacher and rapper MC Grammar, gives parents simple ways to practise key skills at home.

Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey MP said:

Starting school is a huge milestone – for children and parents. I remember getting my own children ready for their first day, excited and hoping they’d walk through the door feeling confident.

From the moment families receive their school place, they should feel supported with simple, practical ways to help their child build confidence, independence and the skills they need for the classroom.

By bringing schools, nurseries, childminders, and families closer together, we can make sure every child gets off to a strong start – arriving at school feeling settled and ready to learn.

The NELI programme helps children who need extra support with speech and language to catch up during Reception. It has already been shown to deliver strong results, with an evaluation finding that it boosts language skills by an additional four months for children on the programme compared to those that aren’t, or up to seven months for children from more deprived backgrounds.

The new campaign shows that school readiness is about everyday skills like communication, independence and confidence – not just uniforms or academic ability. It features a new ‘Steps for School’ song by MC Grammar highlighting key skills from getting dressed and using the toilet to listening, speaking and following instructions.

With family life getting more challenging for many, this work forms part of a wider push to make life easier for parents and give children the best start.

This government is bringing together support from pregnancy through to starting school, including through the rollout of Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority, offering parenting advice, health services and help with children’s development, alongside the first ever guidance to help families manage screen time at home.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Wednesday 15 April 2026 by Jill Powell

An ex-private school teacher has been found guilty of numerous child sexual abuse offences against former pupils. David James Clarke, 82, has been found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

The Sussex police investigation and subsequent Crown Prosecution Service uncovered that while Clarke was a teacher at Newlands School, Seaford, East Sussex, committed 39 counts of indecent assault and four offences of indecency with a child, one offence of buggery.  He was also convicted of making indecent images of children. He took advantage of running a photography club which isolated boys in a dark room where he would commit various acts of sexual abuse progressing from touching both under and over clothing, to masturbation, oral sexual abuse and buggery.

When he was arrested the police discovered indecent images of children on his desk top computer.

Claire Brinton, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“David James Clarke preyed on 14 children at school, who were vulnerable because of their age, many who were isolated, away from their homes and families. Clarke was a teacher, in a position of utmost responsibility who exploited them for his own hideous and vile sexual gratification, often using threats and bribes to manipulate his way to abuse numerous boys in his care. 

“I hope these convictions send a clear message that the CPS, working closely alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children and adults, whenever that abuse took place.

“All children have the right to feel safe. I encourage anyone who has been in a similar position to come forward to report these incidents to the police. It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone and there is help available.”

Sussex Police Investigator Nicky Beard said:

“David Clarke’s victims have had to live with the impacts of his appalling crimes, while he likely thought he would escape punishment.

“He has now faced justice, in no small part thanks to the incredible bravery of these 14 men in coming forward and reporting to the police.

“I do not underestimate how difficult this process has been for them, facing trauma they have held since childhood. I hope this outcome provides some measure of closure.

“This outcome shows no matter how long ago offending took place, we will do all we can to hold perpetrators to justice and support victims. If you are a victim of sexual offending, even non-recently, please report it to us online or via 101.”

Source: Home Office published on this website Thursday 16 April 2026 by Jill Powell

Major venues and events will be better equipped to protect the public from terrorism, as new guidance to support the implementation of Martyn’s Law is published  yesterday.

The guidance sets out clear steps for businesses. This includes for smaller premises like shops and restaurants with 200-799 people, to ensure evacuation routes are in place, staff know how to swiftly implement a lockdown in their building, and staff know how to quickly communicate with their customers were an attack to occur.

Larger premises and events like concerts and sports stadiums, where 800 or more people will be present, will be required to take further steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism – such as having CCTV, bag search policies, or vehicle checks where appropriate.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 also known as Martyn’s Law, is named in tribute to Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the horrific Manchester arena attack.

The act will come into effect after an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent, giving organisations time to understand their new obligations and prepare.

The major milestone comes as the threat from terrorism endures and evolves, with a rise in attacks from individuals who are not formally part of an existing terrorist group making it harder for the police to detect and investigate. Since the start of 2020, MI5 and the police have disrupted 19 late-stage attack plots and intervened in many hundreds of developing threats.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

“Martyn’s Law will help to save lives by making sure venues are ready to act if the worst happens. Today’s guidance is a significant step toward turning the law into action, giving organisations clear, straightforward advice to protect the public.I pay tribute to Figen Murray, whose dedication was instrumental in bringing this landmark law into existence.”

Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett said:

“This represents another significant milestone for the Martyn’s Law campaign and will provide the clarity for venues and events within scope to begin to implement proportionate measures set out within Martyn’s Law.

“We must now ensure everyone is aware of what is required and to make public spaces more secure from the impact of a terrorist attack, so no family has to endure the lasting pain that mine and 21 others have gone through.”

By providing practical advice and clear instructions to meet the requirements set out in the act, it empowers organisations to take proportionate steps to protect lives and improve emergency preparedness - helping to keep both staff and visitors safe across the UK.

It is designed to explain the act’s requirements in a way that works for all and reflects the government’s clear intent that those responsible for premises and events in scope can comply without needing to buy specialist or consultancy services.

A case study for a 400-seater restaurant may look like the following example.

Evacuation: such as one route through the main entrance that leads onto a public pavement and another through a side door that leads into a different area.

Invacuation: for example, bring individuals into the main restaurant area and, if needed, into a variety of staff areas.

Lockdown: this could require nominated individuals knowing when (i.e. when their shift manager instructs them to) and how to quickly lock doors, close window shutters and turn off lights.

Communication: this might be met by ensuring staff know who will enact procedures (shift manager) and planning how to communicate with customers present at the restaurant, were an attack to occur.

Training and awareness: such as providing new members of staff with a short awareness briefing on the restaurant’s procedures at induction, alongside health and fire safety inputs.

Review: the procedures should be kept under appropriate review, for example reviewed annually or when there is any significant change in the restaurants set up .

As the regulator, the Security Industry Authority will support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation.

The law delivers on the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, who was the driving force in campaigning for this legislation in her son’s memory.

Bob Eastwood, Head of Security and Safety Operations at the English Football League (EFL), said:

“We support this new guidance, which will play an important role in preparing EFL Clubs and other organisations for compliance with the requirements of Martyn’s Law. We believe the guidance to be proportionate and deliverable for our clubs, as part of their ongoing and vital work to prepare staff and keep attendees at their matches safe.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association & Chair of the UK Door Security Association said:

“The release of the guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, marks an important step forward in strengthening the safety and resilience of public spaces across the UK. It provides a clear and proportionate framework to help venues better prepare for and respond to the evolving threat of terrorism.

“The Night Time Industries Association, alongside key stakeholders, has worked closely with the Home Office and government partners to help shape guidance that is both practical and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Ensuring the voice of the sector has been reflected throughout has been critical to making the framework workable on the ground.

“We welcome this collaborative approach and the commitment shown across industry and government to get this right. We will continue to support our members in understanding and implementing the requirements, helping to build a safer, more prepared night-time economy while protecting the vibrancy that defines it.”

Source: The Children’s Commissioner’s Office published on this  website Tuesday 14 April 2026 by Jill Powell

“The findings from today’s inquiry into the terrible events in Southport in summer 2024 are a bleak reminder why the way children’s services work together is so crucial – failure can mean the death of an innocent child. In this case, it was three children: Bebe King, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe, and it is their families I am thinking of today.

“Clear opportunities were missed to stop these three little girls being killed. Time and time again we have seen the real life consequences of services and professionals failing to take responsibility for these most complex groups of children like Axel Rudakubana: those with severe mental health conditions, those fixated on violence, or those who do not fit neatly into a category like counter-terror. I am working to understand these cases of children motivated by violence more deeply and what is needed to identify them sooner.

“Each failure like this is as devastating as the last, from the deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson in 2020, to Sara Sharif in 2023, to these murders. This inquiry must lead, finally, to the kind of change that I have called for throughout my time as Children’s Commissioner, where services are required to take responsibility, share information and work together to stop the most at-risk children becoming invisible.”