The DfE is seeking views on introducing regulations to implement minimum service levels in education services in Great Britain during strike action. This is obviously hugely controversial and follows similar trends for other public services. Here is your chance to respond to the government's proposals! You can find the consultation survey here.
Tag: DfE
Major national drive to improve school attendance
The DfE is focussing on driving up school attendance, partly in the face of the recent Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) report based on polling by YouGov which found that nearly three in ten parents (28%) surveyed agree that the pandemic has shown it is not essential for children to attend school every day. Less … Continue reading Major national drive to improve school attendance
Gender Questioning Children: Non-statutory guidance
The DfE has issued a consultation document on Gender Questioning Children. The Department for Education, working closely with the Government’s Equality Hub, has produce this guidance to provide clarity for schools and colleges, and reassurance for parents. Social TransitioningSchools are facing requests to take actions such as changing names, uniforms, or using different facilities to … Continue reading Gender Questioning Children: Non-statutory guidance
School Teachers’ Review Body remit letter for 2024
Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan’s letter to Dr Mike Aldred, Chair of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) is available here on the DfE website (PDF file). Although she does not provide any details, she strongly hints at a tighter view towards pay increases in the coming year. She also lists seven areas … Continue reading School Teachers’ Review Body remit letter for 2024
Working together to safeguard children
The DfE has issued new statutory guidance and the government's consultation response. You can find links to the two main documents on our Key Documents page, and you can also visit the DfE website for these and other related documents: Working together to safeguard children Government consultation response
Cyber security is vital
We need to continue to be vigilant and maintain appropriate systems in our schools to ensure that they are secure from cbyer threats. The DfE has issued a number of standards that schools need to meet. The issue is taken seriously by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as exemplified by this recent reprrimand issued to … Continue reading Cyber security is vital
Autumn Budget 2023
The Autumn 2023 budget announcement (22 November 2023) was notable for the absence of any additional funding for schools. NGA's NGA’s co-chief executive, Emma Knights, stated that: Again, we find ourselves expressing profound disappointment that the Chancellor has not made additional investments in England's schools today. The Prime Minister has promised us all a world-class education … Continue reading Autumn Budget 2023
The condition of school buildings
The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts has released a new report on the condition of school buildings (19 November 2023). The main findings are that: it is extremely concerning that DfE does not have a good enough understanding of safety risks across school buildings for it to fully quantify and mitigate these risks and … Continue reading The condition of school buildings
Local authority interactive tool (LAIT)
The Local authority interactive tool (LAIT) has recently been updated (10 November 2023). It is a useful, government produced spreadhseet with a range of useful information about children and young people across all local authorities in England. The website includes links to the tool itself plus a user guide and the Children's services statistical neighbour … Continue reading Local authority interactive tool (LAIT)
The DfE’s NFF funding calculation error
Both Local Authorities and MATs support their schools’ budget planning by providing projections beyond the current academic year and for at least the following two financial years, as required by the government. The mistakes made by the DfE are to do with the projections they have provided to relevant bodies, such as Derbyshire County Council, … Continue reading The DfE’s NFF funding calculation error
New measures to protect children’s learning from strike action
On Friday 20 October the government announced Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) to "protect children and young people’s education", to be introduced in schools and colleges. The Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has written to union leaders inviting them to discuss proposals on a voluntary basis in the first instance. In her letter she is clear that … Continue reading New measures to protect children’s learning from strike action
The Advanced British Standard
At the Conservative Party Conference, one of the few new (i.e. previously unannouced) initiatives is the plan to scrap A and T Levels and create a new Advanced British Standard, a new Baccalaureate-style qualification for 16 to 19 year olds. The DfE have published a report "A world-class education system: The Advanced British Standard" that … Continue reading The Advanced British Standard
Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England
The headline announcement from Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is currently non-mandaory, though. However, if schools fail to implement the new guidance, the government will consider legislating in the future to make the guidance statutory. The announcement - which can be read on the DfE webiste at the link below - makes the point that other … Continue reading Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England
Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England, 2021-22
The most recent Department for Education data on exclusions paints a worrying picture of increasing trends in exclusions, with disadvantaged children being the most affected. The Social Work News website notes "For the first time, the majority of suspensions are of children living in poverty, further widening the poverty gap in lost learning." and further … Continue reading Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England, 2021-22
Delivering Better Value in SEND?
The latest controversy in education seems to be whether the DfE aims to reduce EHC plans by 20%, despite the Education Minister's denials. This centres on a contract between the DfE and external supplier Newton Europe issued in July 2022 and running until the end of May 2024. You can downoad a redacted copy of … Continue reading Delivering Better Value in SEND?
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