Below are links to recently guidance releases from DfE: School and college voice: omnibus surveys for 2025 to 2026 Pupil attendance in schools Kinship care: guidance for local authorities School and college travel assistance: guidance for local authorities Supporting young people's independence through travel training Lifelong learning entitlement (LLE): overview LLE communication assets for education … Continue reading Latest guidance from the Department for Education
Tag: Funding
Latest picture on school funding and costs in England
A new report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) finds that the schools budget is expected to grow by a total amount of 2% in real terms between 2025–26 and 2028–29. Factors that contribute to this are: a top-up of £700 million in 2026-27, rising to £1.1 billion from 2027–28; schools are be able … Continue reading Latest picture on school funding and costs in England
More enriching activities for hundreds of thousands of children
A press release from the DfE notes that more than 400 schools in disadvantaged communities to benefit from £22.5 million investment and tailored support to expand access to enrichment opportunities. Read the full release here.
School food standards
On 14 September 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) published its response to the consultation on updating School Food Standards in England. This follows extensive engagement with schools, trusts, local authorities, parents, pupils, caterers and health experts. The updated standards will see more fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and nutritious balanced meals on the … Continue reading School food standards
Academy trusts: governance guide
The DfE have published the new Academy trusts: governance guide, effective from September 2026. It includes new trust standards, an energy procurement requirement, sustainability leadership and climate action plans in education and free school meal expansion grant and the inclusive mainstream fund. You can find the full guide on their website, here.
Teacher pay award
On 1st July the DfE announced the teacher pay award for 206-2027 and 2027-2028. On a positive note the award is 6.5% over the next 2 years with additional funding of £1.8 billion over 2 years. The negative aspect of this is that schools will be expected to meet the first 1% out of existing … Continue reading Teacher pay award
The widening disadvantage divide
The NFER have published a blog article: The widening disadvantage divide: Disadvantaged primary schools appear to be most affected by falling pupil numbers. This explores the implications of the fact that pupil numbers are falling fast, and the financial pressure this creates leading to schools making adjustments, such as cuts to staffing and provision, which … Continue reading The widening disadvantage divide
Inclusive education estates
The DfE have published guidance on design adaptations to support an inclusive and accessible environment in mainstream education settings. This is supported by investment of £3.7 billion over five years enabling local areas to make education estates more accessible and inclusive, delivering a transformational expansion of inclusion bases in mainstream settings and expansion of special schools where … Continue reading Inclusive education estates
Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027
The government have issued an update to the Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027. They sate that over time they aim to re-balance funding for SEND, directing much more of it into core budgets for schools and colleges. This will allow planning for provision, employing staff and delivering interventions, without having to go through lengthy … Continue reading Inclusive mainstream fund: 2026 to 2027
PE and sport premium to be replaced
The DfE have announced major funding to support new PE and school sport, with targeted support to ensure all children can access equal opportunities for activity, in a scheme that replaces the existing arrangements. Backed by £580 million and set to be fully up and running from Spring 2027, the Network will replace the existing … Continue reading PE and sport premium to be replaced
Experts at Hand & Local Authority SEND Transformation Fund
The Department for Education has announced the funding for local authorities 2026 to 2027 for the new Experts at Hand & Local Authority SEND Transformation Fund. You can find details on their website, here.
Every child achieving and thriving
The long-awaited education policy white paper was published on 23 February. Entitled Every child achieving and thriving, The Forward notes: This white paper is our plan to build a system that matches the ambition we have for our children, a system that works for the children neglected for too long, that stretches every child further, … Continue reading Every child achieving and thriving
10-year plan to revitalise schools and colleges for every child
The government will put an end to this cycle of patching and mending buildings that have already deteriorated, as the Education Secretary unveils today (Wednesday 11 February) a 10-year plan to transform the education estate so that children and young people across the country have the high-quality classrooms that are fit for purpose and resilient … Continue reading 10-year plan to revitalise schools and colleges for every child
£200 million SEND teacher training programme
Acting on the feedback from parents shared through the national conversation on SEND, the government is making sure that children in every classroom will benefit from brilliant teachers trained in supporting a wide range of needs. So the Department of Education announced, on January 16th, new SEND courses available to all teaching staff to deepen … Continue reading £200 million SEND teacher training programme
Budget 2025: Everything schools need to know
Schools Week have provided a useful summary of what's in the Chancellor's autumn budget for education. Here is the link.