The latest data release on transforming children and young people’s mental health provision from the DfE notes that only 44% of pupils have access to the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) programme, marking progress towards the target of 54% by March 2025. The data also shows that 74% of schools and colleges have applied for … Continue reading Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision
Category: Department for Education
New RSHE guidance
The DfE has launched a consultation on its proposed new RSHE guidance: What it means for sex education lessons in schools. The guidance includes the following: Introducing age limits, to ensure children aren’t being taught about sensitive and complex subjects before they are ready to fully understand them. The concept of gender identity – the … Continue reading New RSHE guidance
Calls are growing for the Department for Education to ditch its “coasting” intervention powers
An article in Schools Week highlights the issue of schools being given ‘coasting’ warnings despite raising grades and fresh starts. It concentrates on Academy Trusts in the main, but the trend in LA maintained schools is also mentioned. Schools Week quotes Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders: “[this] … Continue reading Calls are growing for the Department for Education to ditch its “coasting” intervention powers
Understanding the use of unregistered alternative provision
The DfE has published the outcomes from its recent consulttation on understanding the use of unregistered alternative provision. Key findings of the report are: The use and role of unregistered alternative provision within the SEND and alternative provision system Unregistered alternative provision is used to address needs not met in school Unregistered alternative provision offers … Continue reading Understanding the use of unregistered alternative provision
Government to launch consultation on lifting the 50% cap on faith school places
Proposals to create more good school places through lifting the faith cap were unveiled today on 1 May as new data shows over half of schools are now academies. A consultation on lifting the 50% cap, which applies to new faith free schools, will be launched alongside proposals on opening special faith-based academies. The DfE … Continue reading Government to launch consultation on lifting the 50% cap on faith school places
Safeguarding Children in Schools and Colleges
The Department for Education (DfE) have launched a 12-week call for evidence (from 28 March), to take the views of schools, colleges, and other professionals on safeguarding practice development and direction, in advance of Keeping children safe in education 2025 (KCSIE). Your reflections, experience, and suggestions in this call for evidence will help to inform … Continue reading Safeguarding Children in Schools and Colleges
Government ends Inspiring Governance contract
The DfE have agreed to continue funding the Inspiring Governance service to support schools and academies for a further six months, but DfE funding of the Inspiring Governance school governor recruitment service will come to an end on September 30th, 2024. DfE funding for the service was reduced by 45% from April 2021, and over … Continue reading Government ends Inspiring Governance contract
List of administrative tasks that teachers should not be expected to undertake
In the latest update of the government's School teachers' pay and conditions report (19 March 2024), a new section has been included that lists tasks that teachers should not be expected to undertake (an earlier version had existed back in 2013). This is one of the actions resulting from the initial recommendations from the government’s … Continue reading List of administrative tasks that teachers should not be expected to undertake
New governance guides replace the Governance Handbook
The Department for Education (DfE) has published two new governance guides, to replace the Governance Handbook: Maintained Schools Governance Guide Academy Trust Governance Guide The new guides change the format and streamline things, but do not include any new requirements. So Boards/Trusts do not need to take any action other than to ensure they are aware … Continue reading New governance guides replace the Governance Handbook
DfE approach to teacher pay award for 2024/25
A newly published document (February 2024) sets out Department for Education’s view on the considerations for an appropriate pay award for teachers and leaders in 2024/25. It notes that "Great schools need great teachers and leaders, and a competitive salary" but then goes on to state: it is the department's view that [there should be … Continue reading DfE approach to teacher pay award for 2024/25
Responding to requests for wraparound childcare
This new guidance from the DfE will help schools and academy trusts understand how to respond to: parents’ and carers’ requests that the school their child attends considers establishing wraparound or holiday childcare childcare providers’ requests to use school facilities for wraparound or holiday provision at times when the school is not using them It … Continue reading Responding to requests for wraparound childcare
Education for 11 to 16 year olds
Following a report from The House of Lords on secondary education, the government has now published a response in which it rejects most to the Lords' recommendations. This report lists each of the House of Lords Education for 11-16 Year Olds Committee's recommendations, and [provides its detailed response in each case. You can download the … Continue reading Education for 11 to 16 year olds
Primary assessments: future dates
The DfE provides guidance that summarises future assessment dates in primary schools, to assist schools with their forward planning. This covers: Academic year 2023 to 2024 Academic year 2024 to 2025 Academic year 2025 to 2026 This is available on the DfE website, here.
Flexible working in schools
The DfE has issued an updated version of its non-statutory guidance for employers and staff who want to make arrangements for flexible working. This guidance is for: employers developing flexible working policies or processing flexible working requests, including headteachers governors chief executive officers local governing bodies trustees school employees requesting flexible working local authorities providing … Continue reading Flexible working in schools
Government confirms plans to permanently remove RAAC from all schools and colleges in England
The DfE announced on 8 February 2024 that measures to permanently remove Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from all affected schools and colleges, have been confirmed by the Government. You can read the announcement on their website here, which includes a list to all the schools and colleges affected.
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