Analysis of the characteristics and journeys of children in need with a disability, including children looked after and care leavers, published on 24 September 2026, is available from the DfE on their website, here.
Category: Department for Education
New Vocational GCSEs unveiled for hands-on learning for teens
Every young person across the country will be able to pursue new Vocational GCSEs and access work experience to prepare them for the world of work. The new national qualifications will be created to sit alongside traditional GCSEs and will replace the current Technical Awards. Find out more on the DfE website, here.
More enriching activities for hundreds of thousands of children
A press release from the DfE notes that more than 400 schools in disadvantaged communities to benefit from £22.5 million investment and tailored support to expand access to enrichment opportunities. Read the full release here.
Education Secretary unveils plan for schools to tackle misogyny
Children will be better protected against misogyny as the Education Secretary sets out a new plan to challenge toxic influences and tackle harmful attitudes in schools. Schools will be supported with a practical framework to tackle misogyny with resources including practical guides, teacher training and parent support. Read more about this on the DfE website, … Continue reading Education Secretary unveils plan for schools to tackle misogyny
SEND and inclusion training for mainstream schools
The DfE has published a set of free in-house training materials to help schools develop inclusive teaching practices. You can access the on DfE's website, here.
School food standards
On 14 September 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) published its response to the consultation on updating School Food Standards in England. This follows extensive engagement with schools, trusts, local authorities, parents, pupils, caterers and health experts. The updated standards will see more fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and nutritious balanced meals on the … Continue reading School food standards
Pupil premium
Updated guidance from the DfE, including guidance for school leaders, and example pupil premium strategy statements for different settings. They are available here, on the DfE website.
SEND consultation supporting information
A series of documents from the DfE setting out the key information and proposed reforms in the schools white paper and SEND consultation document for parents and those working in the sector. Available on the DfE website, here.
Working together to improve school attendance
In July the DfE updated its statutory guidance outlining how schools are expected to maintain high levels of school attendance. The guidance is available here on their website. Pupil attendance in schools is published on the DfE website, here.
Cyber-attack on Department for Education
Vanessa Clarke, Senior education reporter for the BBC, reported on 29 July 2026 that hackers have obtained about 607,000 records in a cyber-attack on the Department for Education (DfE) in England. The data taken includes telephone numbers and email addresses relating to individuals and organisations but does not include bank details or other sensitive information. … Continue reading Cyber-attack on Department for Education
Academy trusts: governance guide
The DfE have published the new Academy trusts: governance guide, effective from September 2026. It includes new trust standards, an energy procurement requirement, sustainability leadership and climate action plans in education and free school meal expansion grant and the inclusive mainstream fund. You can find the full guide on their website, here.
Allergy safety in schools
Statutory guidance from DfE about the support that pupils with allergies must receive in schools. It includes information and examples that schools can use to: create and publish an allergy safety policy put allergy safety training in place for all staff identify the children and young people who require Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) to manage … Continue reading Allergy safety in schools
Preventing and tackling the bullying and harassment of school staff
Bullying and harassment of school staff is unacceptable. This new non-statutory guidance from the DfE outlines the government’s expectations of schools and provides clarity for employers on: their legal duties to prevent and address bullying and harassment the actions they should take to ensure all staff are supported, respected and protected in line with the … Continue reading Preventing and tackling the bullying and harassment of school staff
Keeping Children Safe in Education
This week the Department for Education (DfE) published updated statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), which will take effect on 1 September 2026. (This is also linked to on our Key Documents page). Key additions include: The requirement for boards to review filtering and monitoring systems annually. Guidance for schools supporting children … Continue reading Keeping Children Safe in Education
Teacher pay award
On 1st July the DfE announced the teacher pay award for 206-2027 and 2027-2028. On a positive note the award is 6.5% over the next 2 years with additional funding of £1.8 billion over 2 years. The negative aspect of this is that schools will be expected to meet the first 1% out of existing … Continue reading Teacher pay award