The Department for Education has annunced that safe AI tutoring tools co-created with teachers are to be available to secondary schools by the end of 2027, helping to close the attainment gap. Trials of the AI tutoring tools will begin later this year with children in secondary schools across the country, drawing on first-hand experience … Continue reading 450,000 disadvantaged pupils could benefit from AI tutoring tools
Category: Department for Education
KCSIE Webinar Series
Although these recordings of webinars are from 2023 they are still very relevant and useful. From Department for Education subject experts, they cover Low Level Concerns, Single Central Record, Sexting/Online Harms and Safeguarding Partners. They are available here.
Mobile phones in schools
New guidance from the Department for Education covers how to implement a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones throughout the school day. The guidance can be downloaded from their website, here.
Generative AI: product safety standards
The Department for Education has published updated guidelines for AI that developers and suppliers should incorporate for educational products. The guidelines are available on their website, here.
£200 million SEND teacher training programme
Acting on the feedback from parents shared through the national conversation on SEND, the government is making sure that children in every classroom will benefit from brilliant teachers trained in supporting a wide range of needs. So the Department of Education announced, on January 16th, new SEND courses available to all teaching staff to deepen … Continue reading £200 million SEND teacher training programme
Use of reasonable force in schools
The government guidance about the use of physical restraint in schools has been updated and comes into force from April this year.You can download both the current and new guidance documents from the Department of Educatiobn website, here.
Government modernises exam records with new app: GCSE results online
The Department for Education today annouced that Year 11 students across England will be able to view their GCSE results on their phones for the first time from this summer. You can read the full press release here.
RISE attendance and behaviour hubs programme
New guidance for school leaders on the RISE (regional improvement for standards and excellence) attendance and behaviour hubs programme, its benefits and support, and how to join, has been published by the Department for Education (DfE). You can read about it and sign up on their website, here.
Maximising value for pupils: guidance for schools and trusts
The DfE has published guidance, support and a policy document for schools and trusts to maximise value from resources, ensuring every pound delivers for children. This includes: a policy paper: Maximising value for pupils; Achieving better value when buying; Managing financial and physical assets; Strategic workforce planning for schools and trusts; Improve your school's and … Continue reading Maximising value for pupils: guidance for schools and trusts
Free breakfast clubs
The DfE have published guidance for schools on the early adopter programme, April 2025 to March 2026 in the Free breakfast clubs scheme. Details on their website, here.
National funding formula for schools and high needs from 2025
Details of the funding system for schools and high needs from 2025 to 2026 onwards can be found on the DfE website, here.
New minimum attendance expectations
The DfE annonced new minimum attendance expectations on 12 November. A letter from Olivia Bailey MPMinister for Early Education and Minister for Equalities has been posted, addressed to governors. In it she states "Every day at school counts. Even a few missed days can have a lasting impact on a child’s learning, wellbeing, and future … Continue reading New minimum attendance expectations
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
Professor Becky Francis's Curriculum and Assessment Review has been published alongside the Department for Education’s response. The Review delivers evidence-informed recommendations based on responses from young people, parents, teachers, and education experts, and more. This bulletin guides you through what this means for you, your school, and your pupils. The Review found that many aspects … Continue reading Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
The Department for Education has issued new guidance for potential incoming responsible bodies that may need capital funding to support a school joining a strong trust through the sponsorship funding route, i.e. academy trusts taking on new schools. It is aimed at situations where the costs of taking on a school might be prohibitive. You … Continue reading Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
Bridget Phillipson annonces Year 8 reading assessment
In her speech at the Confederation of School Trusts conference on 15 October Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson announced that statutory assessment in year 8 to assess reading fluency and comprehension is to be introduced. She followed this up with an open letter explaining her reasoning. You can read it on the DfE … Continue reading Bridget Phillipson annonces Year 8 reading assessment
