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
Tag: DfE
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?
SEND reforms to be trialled across England
Thirty-two regions across England have been selected to trial the SEND reforms detailed in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan (March 2023). The list and the Plan can be viewed via the links below, but Derbyshire is not included. AP Improvement Plan SEND reform trials list
List of education settings with confirmed RAAC
The government has published the list of schools and colleges where the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was confirmed by 30 August on Wednesday 6 September. The vast majority of school remain unaffected. RAAC reports download link
Qualification results 2023
Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator at Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications, exams and assessments in England, has written to governors and schools regarding this year's GCSE and A Level results, and he has summarised the arrangements for the future. In 2021, Ofqual set out a two-year plan to return to pre-pandemic grading after the exceptional arrangements during … Continue reading Qualification results 2023
School Sport and Activity Action Plan
The Department for Eductaion has published an updated plan for sports and physical education. High quality physical education (PE) and sport are a vital part of what makes a greatschool. Physical activity has a wide range of benefits to pupil health and wellbeing, andthe best schools acknowledge that – far from being an ‘either-or’ decision … Continue reading School Sport and Activity Action Plan
Sir Martyn Oliver recommended as new Chief Inspector of Ofsted
The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, has announced that she is recommending Sir Martyn Oliver for the post of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills at Ofsted. Sir Martyn has been selected as the preferred candidate because he is an accomplished school and trust leader with a track record … Continue reading Sir Martyn Oliver recommended as new Chief Inspector of Ofsted
Length of the school week
Updated Government Non-statutory guidance and case studies for schools in England wanting to increase the length of their school week, including those delivering below the minimum 32.5 hours. These documents provide information on the expectation for all state-funded mainstream schools to deliver a school week of at least 32.5 hours by September 2024 at the … Continue reading Length of the school week
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