Latest news - February 2025
Welcome to the February edition of the 1decision newsletter!
As we begin a new month, we’re excited to share the latest updates, insights, and initiatives from both our team and across the sector.
It’s also a great time to reflect on the importance of mental health and well-being, as we mark Children’s Mental Health Week and Time to Talk Day. We are reminded of the crucial role that emotional support and resilience play in our daily lives and at 1decision, we continue to raise awareness by providing resources that support pupils in managing their well-being, foster positive mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations, ensuring that every child has the tools to thrive.
The 1decision Team
Children's Mental Health Week
Children's Mental Health Week 2025 is set to run from 3rd to 9th February, with the focus on the theme "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself." This theme highlights the importance of understanding who we are, embracing our strengths, and recognising areas for growth. In response, we’ve been busy in our filming studio to create a unique, engaging assembly with children, designed to help their peers explore their identities and develop their emotional resilience.
To help schools integrate this vital topic into their curriculum during this key awareness week, we’re offering this resource completely free of charge because fostering conversations about mental health shouldn’t come at a cost.
If you are a 1decision customer, you will be able to access this assembly in your account.
For those of you not subscribed to 1decision, you can access the assembly here
For additional support and resources surrounding children’s mental health, visit Place2Be’s website, where you can find a wealth of materials designed to help schools create a supportive, understanding environment for children’s mental well-being.
Lessons4Life in Parliament!
On 21st January, Lessons4Life were invited to attend an event in Parliament. 'Education: Insights for Policy from Practice' brought together a diverse group of educational experts and policymakers, with the aim to shine a light on the pressing issues facing education today.
Find out more about the day on page 3!
Sector News
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
On 21st January, education sector experts including academy trust leaders, provided evidence to Members of Parliament regarding the proposed Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Schools Week provided a live blog of the formal meeting, where discussions included proposed amendments on topics such as teacher pay, free school meals, and SEND policies.
After the Public Bill Committee met for the first time to consider the Bill, it is now able to receive written evidence to inform next steps.
Click here to read the full blog.
Measuring Pupil Wellbeing
A recent Education Policy Institute (EPI) report calls for the UK government to consider incorporating pupil well-being metrics into school accountability systems, highlighting the current lack of such data in national collections. It suggests using regional well-being surveys as a model but warns against overburdening schools.
NAHT’s Paul Whiteman cautions that measuring well-being at the school level is complex and may lead to unintended consequences.
The report also calls for Ofsted to focus on teaching quality and curriculum, reflecting changes in multi-academy trust (MAT) governance, and supports flexible MAT inspections. It highlights risks of performance tables creating "perverse incentives" that hinder inclusivity and urges separating safeguarding checks from highstakes inspections.
Labour's proposal for annual safeguarding checks is endorsed, while the Department for Education backs school report cards for clearer performance insights.
Click here to read the full article.
Ofsted's School Report Cards
Ofsted plans to introduce new school "report cards" with a fivepoint grading system across up to 11 areas, including leadership, curriculum, behaviour, and inclusion. Schools will be rated from "Exemplary" to "Causing Concern," with safeguarding judged as "Met" or "Not Met." The changes aim to replace single-word judgments but have faced criticism from unions. A consultation runs until April, with implementation expected in November 2025.
Click here to read the full article.
Current 1decision Catalogue
Packed with hundreds of engaging resources, videos and lesson plans, our 1decision catalogue is ready and waiting to help support you in teaching and developing young minds.
Have you caught up with all the features, news and expert commentary in FOCUS: Personal Development in Schools Magazine yet? If not, the content is still relevant. Check it out, here.
Programme Updates
Early Years Planning
After many requests, we have put together a weekly plan for our Early Years topics.
The document is available to view within the 'Teacher Area' of the portal.
Topic Directory
Looking for a specific topic? We've got you covered with our new topic directory! To view our new 'Primary Topics' list, please log in to the portal.
Here to help!
If you require any assistance with your account or need further information on one of our topics, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to help!
01438 750330
info@1decision.co.uk
www.1decision.co.uk
Our Partner Updates
Lessons4Life in Parliament!
'Education: Insights for Policy from Practice' brought together a diverse group of educational experts and policymakers, with the aim to shine a light on the pressing issues facing education today and to explore collaborative solutions based on evidence and experience.
Our Head of Campaign Strategy, Hayley Sherwood said: "Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending an extraordinary event at Westminster, where St Mary’s University brought its longstanding commitment to social justice and education to the forefront.
The gathering, sponsored by Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, was a testament to the university’s 173-year legacy of excellence and its unwavering focus on nurturing inclusive educational practices. This wasn’t just another discussion on education - it was a space where research, lived experience, and policymaking came together.
As part of the Centre for Research into the Education of Marginalised Children and Young Adults (CREMCYA), I had the honour of presenting our recommendations directly to Members of Parliament. It was a moment to amplify the voices of those often unheard and to advocate for actionable change in policies that affect children, young adults, and the practitioners who work tirelessly to support them.
As the conversations unfolded, I felt a profound sense of purpose in the shared commitment to shaping a future where every child and young adult has access to quality education, free from barriers."
To find out more about the Lessons4Life campaign, click here.
Fonetti Read Aloud Challenge Awards
On 16th January, 1decision CEO, Hayley, and School Engagement Lead, Sarah, kicked off 2025 with an exciting visit to Amazon HQ for the National Read Aloud Awards, powered by Fonetti. We were delighted to be a challenge partner again in 2024 and see firsthand the incredible impact Fonetti is making on children’s reading skills.
Kim Antoniou, Founder and CEO of Fonetti, says: “We’re incredibly grateful for your support and the partnership between Fonetti and 1decision as we work together to promote and grow the National Read Aloud Challenge each year. Partnerships like ours are absolutely vital to the continued success of the challenge.
This year, we were thrilled to support 10,000 children, more than double the number from 2024, and we're aiming even higher for 2025. Together, with the amazing cohort of Fonetti challenge partners, we can make a real difference in fostering a love of reading and boosting literacy for even more children.”
Find out more about Fonetti and the National Read Aloud Challenge here
In the Spotlight Special Offers
Walking for Change: Eleanor and Sophie Join Mind's 56 Mile Challenge
With a conscious effort last year to step away from their screens and embrace daily lunchtime walks, we are thrilled to share that Eleanor and Sophie from the 1decision team are now going one step further - taking on Mind’s 56 Miles in February challenge! This inspiring initiative encourages participants to walk, run, jog, or cycle 56 miles throughout this month to raise awareness and vital funds for mental health support.
Operations Manager, Eleanor, shared her motivation: “I am taking part in this challenge to raise money for a wonderful and much-needed charity. I suffered my first panic attack in 2016 and have experienced anxious and intrusive thoughts since then. I’ve often turned to Mind for information and support to help manage my mental health.”
As passionate advocates for wellbeing and mental health education, Eleanor and Sophie are determined to go the distance to support Mind’s essential work in providing resources, advice, and advocacy for those facing mental health challenges.
Education & Partnerships Adviser, Sophie, added: “Like Eleanor, I have personally faced challenges with my anxiety and OCD, as well as the devastation of losing loved ones to mental health illnesses. By committing to this challenge, we
hope to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and inspire others to prioritise physical activity and emotional well-being as positive tools for self-care.”
Stay tuned for an update in next month’s newsletter, and join us in cheering Eleanor and Sophie on! If you’d like to support their efforts or learn more about the challenge, please click here
Do
you have an inspirational story you'd like to share?
Get in touch today: info@1decision.co.uk
Dates for your calendar
February 2025
3rd - 9th - Children's Mental Health Week - Our new assembly is now live in the portal!
6th - Time to Talk Day 11th - Safer Internet Day
14th - International Book Giving Day 17th – Random Acts of Kindness Day
March 2025
10th - 14th - Empathy Week
17th - 23rd - Nutrition and Hydration Week and Neurodiversity Celebration Week
18th - Global Recycling Day
20th - International Day of Happiness and World Oral Health Day
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