Insights

A Target Operating Model is the essential blueprint that translates an organisation's vision into reality. For a Multi-Academy Trust, it answers a fundamental question: how will the trust function as a single entity to improve the life chances of its pupils?

School readiness is a term that often gets thrown around, particularly this time of year, it’s fast becoming something of a buzzword.

The way schools are inspected and reported on in England by Ofsted is undergoing its most significant change in 33 years.

Just in time for the 25/26 academic year, DfE released non-statutory, voluntary national standards for non-school APs. This was accompanied by the publication of the government response to the 2024 consultation.

As another academic year comes to a close, this blog takes a look back at the top stories in education since the term began in September.

PAG and ASAP are immensely proud to present the first project to be accepted into the ASAP programme: Specialist Classroom Provisions: Phoenix School.

At PAG, we’ve spent over a decade supporting schools, dioceses, and MATs through every stage of the academy conversion journey. Now, we’re doing something new: offering a fixed-fee academy conversion package for £9,999.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape teaching and learning, the DfE has published a comprehensive set of expectations for the safe and appropriate use of generative AI in education.

The 2025 Academy Trust Handbook has arrived — and with it, a series of important updates.

We’re delighted to share that ASAP was recently featured in the fantastic Schools Week.

ASAP uncovers, supports, and amplifies what works in the SEND sector - helping more people to do more, faster.

As has been widely documented and reported on - the SEND crisis is at breaking point. We were proud to submit evidence to the recent Education Select Committee, and feel privileged to have been able to contribute to such a critical process.

In February 2025, the UK government unveiled a comprehensive strategy to address the persistent issue of 'stuck' schools—those that have consistently received poor Ofsted ratings over extended periods.

The DfE’s Turing Scheme is now open, offering schools and colleges the chance to secure funding for students to study and work abroad.

The Kreston Reeves Academies Benchmarking Report 2025 provides a critical analysis of the state of trust finances across England.

The DfE has published its updated alternative provision guidance; in this blog, we’ll break down the major updates.

In this blog, we take a look at whether establishing or joining a Federation is the right move for your school.

The government has unveiled its Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a proposal designed to reshape the landscape of education.

This blog summarises the 2023/24 Ofsted Annual Report; a new chapter in the evolution of England’s education and social care landscape.

We recently sat down with Emma Bradshaw, ALT’s executive principal and CEO, to discuss the benefits of PAG’s retained advisory.

The issue of unregistered alternative provision (AP) in England has become a pressing concern, with significant attention on the need for re

The 2024 Labour Party Conference has brought a renewed focus on education and the critical challenges facing schools in England.

On 16 September 2024, significant changes to the Ofsted school inspection framework came into effect.

Bridget Phillipson and her ministerial team faced their first round of questions from MPs after Labour’s victory in the July election.

As was expected, the DfE has announced that from today, schools will no longer be assessed using Ofsted's single headline grades.

In a move sparking concern among sector leaders, major UK exam boards have announced above-inflation fee increases for the 2025 exam season.

The Department for Education has today published its annual Academy Trust Handbook in time for the new academic year 2024/25.

Labour has today published new details on it's oft-controversial plan to change the way VAT is applied to private schools.

PAG is incredibly proud to announce that we have been named on the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™.

In recent years, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in the UK have navigated through mixed signals regarding their growth and expansion.

In her first live Q&A session with the sector, Bridget Phillipson pledged to work closely with educators and sector professionals.

With Labour's victory all but confirmed after yesterday's General Election, a new government means a shift towards new policies.

The UK general election is tomorrow, and education is a key issue for many. Here’s a roundup of the major parties' key education policies.

Councils across England are facing alarming shortfalls in their SEND budget, critical for supporting children with SEND.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making significant inroads into the UK's educational landscape.

Labour has renewed its commitment to education by pledging to recruit 6,500 additional teachers, emphasising their vision for sector change.

All Saints Catholic College is launching a 10-week pilot program to extend school hours and ban phones to improve pupil wellbeing.

The educational landscape in England is poised for a transformative shift through proposed reforms to school funding.

Ofsted's updated complaints procedure, effective from April 5th 2024, marks a significant shift towards greater transparency and fairness.

In recent years, councils across England have faced a significant financial challenge in providing school transport for children with SEND.

The DfE has embarked on a new approach to supporting young people at risk through the introduction of AP Specialist Taskforces (APST).

In a significant development, DfE has updated the eligibility criteria for maintained schools considering conversion to academy/trust status

In a move highlighting the financial crisis facing SEND funding, councils have received approval to redirect millions from their budgets.

The landscape of the education system has undergone significant transformations, with a big shift towards academy and trust conversions.

PAG has produced a report titled 'Establishing Children's Homes', looking into what it takes to successfully establish a children's home.

In educational and political landscapes, a crucial debate has emerged concerning the application of VAT on independent SEND schools.

The DfE has taken a step forward in the realm of educational governance by releasing guides aimed at maintained schools and academy trusts.

In February 2024, the Education Policy Institute published a pivotal report titled "An Evidence Review into the Length of the School Day"

The Association of Directors of Children's Services has released a new policy paper that serves as a fervent call to action.