DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Friday
25th Sep 2026
Coalition warns Powell over ‘psychological harm’ of Ofsted inspection
A coalition from schools sector urges the education secretary to provide ‘meaningful external accountability’ to Ofsted amid fears about teachers’ and leaders’ wellbeing
Teach First switches focus from cities to coasts
The teacher training charity also cuts costs for schools and plans to send trainees to schools in groups to make working in isolated communities more appealing
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School funding for knife crime prevention drops by a third
Government told to ‘get a grip’ after Tes reveals ‘appalling’ reductions to schemes helping pupils at risk of serious violence
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Thursday
24th Sep 2026
NEU strike ballot paused due to Labour putting ‘its money where its mouth is’
Ballot of teachers on industrial action had been due to begin next month, but the union says it believes the government is making progress on school funding
Powell: Ofsted regime is ‘high stakes and low trust’
Education secretary says pressure caused by broader accountability system – with Ofsted a ‘core part of that’ – is ‘constantly’ on the government’s mind
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Academy pension hikes undermine DfE pay claims
This year’s teacher pay rise is meant to be funded through a fall in schools’ pension contributions – but in some trusts these costs are actually rising, Tes analysis reveals
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Unions urge DfE to scrap teacher bonus plans
New performance awards risk creating inequality, warn the NAHT and NASUWT as the unions call for changes to the government’s pay reforms
Creating a closer connection between research and practice
EEF’s Professor Becky Francis explains why it’s vital that education research answers the most pressing questions facing educators – and how teachers can help ensure they do just that
SEND funding plan risks ‘penalising’ inclusive schools
Headteachers and local council leaders raise concerns about plans for a major shake-up of how schools are funded for pupils with SEND
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Exams boss insists timeframe for technical routes is achievable
In an exclusive interview with Tes, Pearson’s managing director supports a ‘cautious’ approach to flagship education reform and refuses to be drawn on the recent Sats marking debacle
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SEND to absorb most of school funding rise, IFS warns
Mainstream funding will rise by 3 per cent in real terms despite a 9 per cent headline increase in per-pupil spending, analysis finds