Education Update — England | November 2026
A gentle look at this month’s education news, new resources and small discoveries that can lead to meaningful learning.
November has arrived, bringing crisp mornings, colourful autumn leaves and plenty of opportunities to explore, discover and learn something new.
As always, there's been quite a bit happening in education, with new research, government developments and ongoing discussions about how best to support children and young people. Some of these changes may affect families directly, while others are still being considered.
This month, we'll take a gentle look at the education news worth knowing about, share some exciting developments here at Why Play Learning, and explore a few simple ways to encourage curiosity and creativity in everyday life.
And remember, learning doesn't always need a plan, a worksheet or even a right answer. Sometimes it simply begins with noticing something interesting and wondering why. 🍂🌿
🌱 SEND and Inclusion — Moving from Plans to Action
There have been further developments in the Government's plans to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
On 29 October, the Government announced that 139 local area partnerships had received approval for their SEND reform plans. These plans bring together education, health and care services, with the aim of improving how children and families receive support.
Meanwhile, new training materials are available to help teachers and teaching assistants develop more inclusive approaches to learning. Further training resources are planned for 2027.
What does this mean for families?
These are steps towards improving the system, but they don't mean everything has changed overnight. The wider SEND reforms are still developing, and existing legal arrangements remain in place.
At Why Play Learning, we'll continue following these developments and explaining what they mean for families, without unnecessary jargon or alarm.
Because every child deserves to be understood, supported and given opportunities to thrive. 🌿
🌿 Want to know more?
If you'd like to explore these developments in a little more detail, pop over to our Education Updates page. We explain what's changing, what is still being discussed, and what it might mean for you and your family.
💚 They Learn Differently — And That's Okay!
A Little Reassurance for Parents — Our New FREE Booklet
Every child learns differently.
Some race ahead in one area while taking their time in another.
Some learn through conversation.
Others through movement, pictures, practical experiences.
And some simply love and learn by watching the world around them.
And sometimes, as parents, it's all too easy to wonder whether we're doing enough.
That's why we've created They Learn Differently — And That's Okay, a completely FREE booklet written especially for parents and carers who sometimes need a little reassurance.
It's not another guide telling you what your child should be achieving, or a collection of activities you need to squeeze into an already busy day.
Instead, it's a gentle reminder that learning doesn't always follow a straight line. Progress can be quiet, unexpected and easily overlooked.
A child might understand something today but struggle to show that understanding tomorrow. That doesn't mean the learning has disappeared.
Inside, we explore different ways children learn, why confidence and emotional security matter, and how to recognise those small but meaningful moments of progress that traditional measures don't always capture.
There are opportunities to pause, reflect and perhaps see your child's achievements — and your own efforts — in a slightly different light.
Because your child doesn't need to learn like everybody else. And you don't need to parent like everybody else.
You'll find They Learn Differently — And That's Okay on our Free Resources page, ready to read, download or print whenever you need a little encouragement.
🍂 Now for the Fun Bits...
November is here, and although the days are getting shorter and the weather is becoming a little chillier, there's certainly no shortage of things to discover!
From strange inventions and fascinating people to scientific surprises, storytelling and a little creative silliness, we've packed November with opportunities to explore the world in all sorts of different ways.
And remember, at Why Play Learning, there's no such thing as being too old to play, investigate, imagine or discover something new.
📅 November's FREE Activity Calendar
Our FREE November Activity Calendar is ready and waiting, with another month of interesting dates, unusual discoveries and simple ideas to spark curiosity.
Perhaps you'll discover something about the ancient Egyptians, investigate a scientific mystery, invent a new game or find yourself asking a question nobody in the family knows the answer to!
And that's absolutely fine. Finding things out together is half the fun.
As always, the dates are invitations, not instructions. Pick something that catches your interest, change it to suit your family or follow an entirely different adventure.
📖 The November Why Play Learning Magazine
Fancy taking those discoveries a little further?
Our November Magazine is bursting with hands-on activities, fascinating facts and creative challenges.
This month you can explore the mysteries of Tutankhamun, investigate dancing raisins, build a hibernation diorama, experiment with Fibonacci patterns, design a futuristic car or even invent your very own board game.
There's science, history, language, art, problem-solving and plenty of opportunities for conversation along the way.
We've also introduced a few carefully chosen Word of the Day features, encouraging children to discover interesting vocabulary naturally as they explore.
Whether your child loves making things, asking questions, solving puzzles or imagining impossible adventures, there's something to get them thinking.
And who knows? An activity that begins with five minutes of curiosity might turn into an afternoon of discoveries.
The November Why Play Learning Magazine is £4.50.
🔎 The Mystery Object Challenge
Every ordinary object has a story. Can you discover it?
Somewhere in your home, hiding in a drawer, tucked away in a cupboard or sitting unnoticed on a shelf, there might be something rather interesting.
An old key. A strange kitchen utensil. A button. A feather. A tiny ornament. Something nobody can quite remember buying.
Today, we're going to turn one of those ordinary objects into a mystery!
🕵️ Have a Go!
Find an interesting object and place it on a table, or tuck it inside a bag so nobody can see it at first.
If someone else has chosen the object, can you work out what it might be just by asking questions?
Is it heavy or light? Smooth or rough? Does it make a sound? What might it be made from?
Then reveal your mysterious discovery!
Take a really good look. Turn it around, examine its shape and notice the little details you might normally overlook.
🌟 Try This!
Now comes the fun part.
What do you think your object was made for? Who might have used it? How old could it be?
Perhaps it's an old key that once opened the door to a castle. Or a wooden spoon that belonged to a famous chef. Maybe that peculiar little ornament is actually a secret message from another planet!
You could:
Draw your object and invent a story about where it came from.
Photograph it from an unusual angle and challenge someone to identify it.
Imagine a completely different use for it.
Find out what it really is, how it was made or where it came from.
There's no need to do everything. Follow whichever idea makes you curious.
💬 Ask Someone or Show Someone
Show your mystery object to somebody else.
Do they see something you missed? Do they have a different idea about what it might be?
Perhaps an older family member remembers using something similar. You might uncover a family story nobody has shared for years.
💭 What Did You Discover?
Did you solve the mystery? Did you invent a wonderful story? Or did your object lead you to a question you hadn't thought of before?
You might have explored history, science, language, design or storytelling without even realising it.
And sometimes, the most exciting discovery isn't the answer. It's the next question. 🔎💚
(Adults should choose objects that are safe to handle, particularly avoiding sharp edges, choking hazards or unidentified substances)
💭 November's Question
When was the last time your child taught you something you didn't know?
Perhaps they showed you how something worked, explained a fascinating fact, spotted something you'd completely overlooked or found a wonderfully creative way to solve a problem.
Maybe they surprised you with a question that made you stop and think.
We spend so much time wondering what our children are learning that it's easy to forget how much we can learn from them.
And sometimes, the child who struggles to demonstrate their learning can surprise us with the depth of their understanding when they're doing something they love.
So this month, take a moment to notice what your child knows, understands or can do.
You might discover something rather wonderful.
Because learning isn't a one-way street.
And every child has something worth sharing. 🌿💚
🌼 Until Next Month...
As November unfolds and the days grow shorter, I hope you'll find a few moments to slow down, explore something unexpected and enjoy the little discoveries that everyday life brings.
There will always be things to learn, questions to answer and new challenges to face. But learning isn't a race, and childhood isn't a checklist of achievements to be ticked off.
Sometimes the most meaningful progress happens quietly, in moments we might otherwise overlook.
A new question. A shared laugh. A little more confidence. The courage to try something again.
And perhaps that's something we can all remember this month: children don't have to learn in the same way, at the same pace or along the same path to make wonderful progress.
Whether you're here for educational news, practical activities, a new resource or simply a little reassurance, thank you for being part of our growing Why Play Learning community.
We're so glad you're here.
Here's to another month of curiosity, creativity, kindness and discoveries worth celebrating. 🍂💚
See you in December!
With warm wishes,
Why Play Learning 🌿
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