The Education Estates Strategy sets out an ambitious long-term plan to renew and modernise schools and colleges in England. But funding and programmes alone will not determine whether it succeeds. Delivery will depend on whether the education sector can build a professional, skilled and resilient facilities management function for the decade ahead, writes Mike Agate from IWFM

The most significant barriers to equitable recruitment are rarely obvious. Natalie Turner, recruitment manager at Shaw Education Trust, argues that by rethinking everything from job adverts to application processes, schools can widen access to talent, strengthen retention and foster a more inclusive culture

Autistic pupils are often held back not by their ability, but by school environments that fail to meet their needs. Stephanie Smith, head of school at The Cavendish School, outlines five practical ways schools can create more inclusive learning environments where autistic children can engage, succeed and thrive

The government’s schools white paper outlines plans to reform the SEND system, with proposals including a tiered approach to support, increased involvement from health professionals, and funding to make mainstream school more inclusive. We explore the changes