The School and college voice report from DfE, based on a survey between 10 December and 23 December 2024, has been published (29 May). A wide range of issues were surveyed, and you can read the full report on the DfE website, here. Some of the findings are: The top two most helpful actions for … Continue reading School and college voice: December 2024
Category: Department for Education
Teacher 2025 pay award
The DfE announced a 4% pay award on 22 may, but the catch is that schools will have to find 1% of this from their own resources. You can read the statement from the DfE on their website, here. The NGA's response both welcomes the early annoucement and level of award, but criticises the fact … Continue reading Teacher 2025 pay award
Education Secretary gives keynote speech at Education World Forum
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson gave the keynote speech on the use of EdTech to improve opportunity in education at the Education World Forum on 19th May. Some key points were: Inequality and injustice still exist: "opportunity still lies beyond the grasp of too many people – here in this country and around the world"; One … Continue reading Education Secretary gives keynote speech at Education World Forum
Improved PE and sport for more than 240,000 pupils with SEND
The DfE has launched its Inclusion 2028 programme which will improve access to PE and school sports for pupils with SEND. The aim is to train 10,000 teachers and practitioners in England across three years and 8,000 schools. You can read the full press release here.
Support for children and young people with special educational needs
In response to the recent Public Accounts Committee report on the Government's handling of SEND, the DfE published their intentions on 9 May. In it they respond to the 7 conclusions that the PAC had published: The SEN system is inconsistent, inequitable and not delivering in line with expectations, which inevitably undermines parents’ confidence in … Continue reading Support for children and young people with special educational needs
Animated guide to Working Together to Safeguard Children
The DfE have produced a colourful animated guide to Working Together to Safeguard Children - you can find it on YouTube here. An accompanying PDF document suitabloe for children and families is on their website, here.
DfE Sustainability and climate change strategy
The DfE's Sustainability and climate change strategy for schools is availbale from their website, here.
School estate management standards
The DfE has published updated gudiance for school estate management. The document defines four levels of compliance from baseline through to advanced. This includes: Strategic estate management; Planning and organising your estate resources; Understanding and managing your land and buildings; Maintaining your estate; Health and safety; Fire safety; Asbestos; Legionella; Sustainability (at levels 3 and … Continue reading School estate management standards
Education Secretary keynote speech at Festival of Childhood
Here is the full transcript of Bridget Phillipson's address at the Festival of Childhood from 3 April 2025. Among other things she mentioned the government's investment of over £8bn in Early Years, funding for 300 primary schools to expand their nurseries and set up new ones, uplift in the early years pupil premium for disadvantaged … Continue reading Education Secretary keynote speech at Festival of Childhood
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024: policy summary
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to change the law to better protect children and raise standards in education. The bill and its supporting documents are available on the UK Parliament website. The policy summary contains information on the measures within the bill. It sets out: what the government aims to achieve through each … Continue reading Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024: policy summary
Pupil absence in schools in England
The latest data set for the academic year 2023/24 has been released. The headline finding is that overall and persistent absence decreased from 2022/23 to 2023/24. You can view the details in full here. Alongside this youn can also view details on pupil attendance in schools in the current academic year so far on the … Continue reading Pupil absence in schools in England
No child left behind in plans to narrow the digital divide in education
The DfE, alongside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, have today (21 March 2025) launched a consultation on their plans to make digital standards a requirement for all schools, alongside £45 million investment to improve connectivity. The press release states: "Schools across the country are being supported by the government to close the digital … Continue reading No child left behind in plans to narrow the digital divide in education
Curriculum and Assessment Review: interim report
The DfE published its independent review of the curriculum and assessment system in England, with statistical analysis on 18 March 2025. In July 2024, the Government commissioned Professor Becky Francis CBE to convene and chair a panel of experts to conduct the Curriculum and Assessment Review. This is their first interuim report. The evidence shows … Continue reading Curriculum and Assessment Review: interim report
Serious youth violence research programme
The DfE has put up a web page with links to reports which explore how systems of support may protect young people from, or expose them to, involvement in serious youth violence. These reports are from the serious violence research programme, which is co-led by the Department for Education and Youth Endowment Fund. You can … Continue reading Serious youth violence research programme
School accountability reform
In tandem with Ofsted's new consultation on inspection, the DfE has launched a consultation on school accountability principles, school profiles and a stronger approach to school improvement. It runs from 3 February to 28 April 2025. You can respond to it on the DfE website, here.