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.
Tag: DfE
NGA publishes policy paper on SEND
Findings from NGA’s annual governance survey reveal an education system under growing strain. Supporting pupils with SEND has seen the steepest rise as the top challenge for governing boards across England (cited by 63% of respondents) and is accompanied by sharp increases in SEND-related pressures such as difficulties accessing funding and securing education, health and … Continue reading NGA publishes policy paper on SEND
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
Fraud awareness: good practice for education and training providers
The DfE has published guidance on fraud covering: general advice on fraud; suggestions for developing counter fraud policies and approaches; information on cyber related fraud You can download it here.
GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale explained
From DfE here's a guide to the GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale and how it compares to the previous A* to G scale. Link to DfE website.
Government speeds up reforms to protect children from harm
Vulnerable children are to be better protected from harm after the government speeds up children’s social care reforms that prioritise prevention through its Plan for Change. An extra £18 million will be spent on rolling out early intervention child protection reforms to councils in England to stop families from reaching crisis by strengthening leadership and … Continue reading Government speeds up reforms to protect children from harm
RISE teams: everything you need to know
Earlier this year, the DfE launched Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams. These teams, also known as regional school improvement teams, are a key part the DfE's strategy to drive up education standards in classrooms across England. RISE teams are currently working with over 200 schools identified by Ofsted as needing to improve. … Continue reading RISE teams: everything you need to know
National Year of Reading for 2026
The DfE and National Literacy Trust have joined forces to launch a National Year of Reading, starting in January 2026. Bringing together parents, schools, libraries, businesses and literacy experts, the campaign aims to foster a love of reading for pleasure in children and young people, ensuring all children get the best start in life. Find … Continue reading National Year of Reading for 2026
Keeping children safe in education 2025
Keeping children safe in education is the government's key guidance for Safeguarding and is updated each year. This year's update - which comes into force in September - is now available: you can find a link to it on our Key Documents page here, where there is also am link to a useful summary of … Continue reading Keeping children safe in education 2025
Thousands of children with SEND to benefit from assistive tech
With SEND so much in the news lately, it's no suprise that the DfE is providing funding for new resources in education, inlcuding a pilot with up to £1.7m available to help children with SEND achieve and thrive at their local school. ‘Lending libraries’ will be set up in up to 32 local authorities and … Continue reading Thousands of children with SEND to benefit from assistive tech
Local authority school places scorecards
The latest scorecards, which display a snapshot of the progress each local authority across England, are now available on the DfE website, here. The scorecards cover the following areas: Number of places that have been delivered between 2009/10 and 2023/24; Percentage of unfilled places in 2023/24; DfEs estimate of places still needed for 2026/27; DfE's … Continue reading Local authority school places scorecards
Updated DfE guidance on governance
The DfE have relased an update (25 June) to the Maintained schools governance guide 2025 which was initially released in October 2024. The June 25 update is summarised on their website here, and the full manual is available here. Similarly updated guidance for academies is available here, and the full manual here.
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