Latest news - December 2024
1decision Attend The Education Today Awards 2024!
On Friday 6th December, most of the 1decision team had the privilege of attending the Education Today Awards where we were nominated for Wellbeing Resource or Support of the Year.
While we didn’t take home the award this time, we were honoured to be shortlisted as a finalist. It was a fantastic evening filled with celebration and networking with other like-minded people from across the sector.
A huge thank you to all of our schools who continue to support our work, we are having an amazing end to what has been a great 2024. Here’s to what 2025 may bring!
Wishing all of our readers a restful and joyous break.
The 1decision Team
Autumn Edition of FOCUS Now Available!
If you have any spare reading time in the holidays, why not dive into the latest issue of FOCUS, packed with strategies to enhance personal development in schools? The latest edition covers innovative tools for tracking pupil progress in personal development, helping educators tailor their approach effectively.
Read an inspiring story from Hayley Sherwood, CEO of 1decision, on her journey with ADHD and her dedication to creating inclusive PSHE resources. Plus, discover the value of whole-school PSHE training to build consistency and confidence across classrooms.
Stay up-to-date with PSHE and RSHE insights, from boosting self-esteem in pupils to fostering entrepreneurial skills. This issue provides tools and fresh perspectives for supporting well-being and growth throughout the term.
Autumn Edition Features:
- The impact of not training all PSHE teachers
- Toothbrushes in the classroom
- Kidpreneurs: Redefining Success
- Feedback from Winchester University
- And more
Have you seen the latest updates to 1decision?
See page 2 for more information on our exciting website updates!
Programme Updates
New Notifications Tab
Discover the new notifications tab within your 1decision school account! Stay informed with the latest updates, resources, and announcements all in one place. Head over to the Notifications tab today to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Topics by Year Group
Schools can now navigate 1decision topics based on suggested year groups, making it easier than ever to plan lessons.
Why Have We Made This Update?
We introduced this feature to make planning easier and more intuitive for teachers. By organising topics by suggested year groups, we aim to provide clearer guidance on when to teach each topic, ensuring lessons are age-appropriate and aligned with curriculum goals. This update supports with planning time and helping you to deliver the best learning experience for your pupils.
Don’t worry, if you’re familiar with the previous layout and original modules, this still remains accessible which gives you full flexibility to utilise however you wish.
Our Partner Updates
Lessons4Life Are Heading to the House of Lords!
Exciting news! Hayley Sherwood and partners at Lessons4Life have been invited into the House of Lords on 21st January to begin discussions with MPs about the importance of preparing children for their transition to secondary school.
With the campaign in full swing, this milestone is a significant opportunity to advocate for increased funding and dedicated time in the curriculum for personal development.
The Lessons4Life Podcast
A Must for PSHE Leads!
Last month we announced that Lessons4Life had launched a podcast, powered by 1decision!
Hosts Gabby and Marnie have been very busy interviewing some of the most innovative thinkers of our timeindividuals passionate about personal development and its vital role in fostering both individual wellbeing and academic success.
We’re pleased to share that PSHE coach, trainer and consultant, John Rees, recently joined Gabby and Marnie to discuss the future of teaching and how PSHE education may be affected by climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence.
John said of his experience, “I have interviewed many people and been interviewed myself, but seldom so charmingly or by two interviewers so young. I am delighted to have been able to share some thoughts about the importance of PSHE and also to support Lessons4Life.”
Listen to the Lessons4Life Podcast on Youtube or Spotify.
Sector News
Starmer wants 75% of children 'school-ready' by 2028
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has set a target for 75% of reception children to achieve a "good" level of development by 2028, marking a significant increase from the current 67.7%. The plan includes recruiting 6,500 additional teachers, expanding early years services, and addressing developmental gaps for disadvantaged children. However, many educators highlight challenges, including widening disparities in outcomes for poorer families and concerns about underfunded early years education. Starmer acknowledges the ambitious goal as critical for improving long-term educational outcomes.
Click here to read the article on Schools Week.
Free school meal funding 'not enough' - caterer
The UK government has increased funding by 5p for free school meals to £2.58 per meal, but rising food costs mean this is insufficient, says a catering director. Many school kitchens must either subsidise meals or reduce portion quality, with rural schools hit hardest due to smaller economies of scale. Eligibility thresholds for free school meals have not changed since 2018, excluding many children who are living in poverty. The DfE states funding is under review, with expanded investments in breakfast clubs in 2025 and continued support for free lunches for over three million pupils.
Click here to read the article on BBC.
Up to 300,000 children could be missing out on education in England, thinktank suggests
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) estimates that up to 300,000 children in England may be missing from education due to incomplete and inconsistent data. This figure arises from discrepancies between GP registrations and school or home education records, with gaps widening by 40% since 2017, partly due to the pandemic. The EPI urges creating a national register, better data integration, and targeted interventions to ensure all children receive their educational entitlement. Current government efforts are deemed insufficient.
Click here to read the article on The Guardian.
In the Spotlight
Celebrating Excellence: A Champion for Sports and Wellbeing
We know the fantastic work teachers continue to display within their school community and beyond. In this newsletter we are delighted to share that one of the teachers from a 1decision school, Danika Williams, was recently awarded the 2024 Stevenage Together Award, for her efforts in enriching the lives of her pupils and their families through sports and physical activity.
Over the past decade, Danika has created an inclusive and equitable environment for her pupils, ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, race, or ability, has the opportunity to participate in sports. Her work has extended to raising awareness about disabilities in sports, including writing for the Youth Sports Trust to advocate for inclusivity.
Looking to the future, Danika is committed to leaving a lasting legacy by championing the importance of sports and physical activity for health and wellbeing.
Her humility and dedication shine through in her reflections, as she credits her pupils for shaping her as a teacher.
"Seeing families come together and embrace movement is incredibly rewarding"
Introduce us to your cluster group! Share 1decision resources to receive a £150 voucher for your school. Face-to-face cluster groups require a minimum of five schools.
Refer a school and earn £75! If you’re a fan of what we do and recommend our award-winning resources to schools and trusts, they’ll benefit from a 10% discount and you will receive a £75 Amazon voucher!
Visit: www.1decision.co.uk/ recommendation for more.
Half Price Early Years when added to your Primary programme!
Take advantage of our latest interactive games and create the building blocks for PSHE with this offer. Contact info@1decision.co.uk for more details.
Claim 50% funding for SchoolTV subscription.
Take PSHE to the next level by adding SchoolTV to your personal development programme.