DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Wednesday
16th Jul 2025
DfE cuts admission appeals funding for academies
Academies fighting more than 20 admission appeals will no longer be able to claim towards the costs
State schools falling behind private schools in AI ‘digital divide’
Independent school teachers are more than twice as likely to have received formal AI training than state school peers, Sutton Trust report suggests
Wednesday
9th Jul 2025
Revealed: the 20 leaders in DfE’s MAT chiefs group
The new advisory group, due to meet for the first time next week, includes the leaders of many of the biggest academy trusts, an email seen by Tes reveals
Exclusive
Schools ‘bridging funding gap’ to provide free school meals
Caterers are being forced to cut portions and reduce their menus because of the shortfall in free school meals funding, research shows
What primaries in poor communities need from Labour
The government has pledged to break the link between a child’s background and their future success, but what do headteachers in England’s poorest communities need to help make this a reality? We speak to several to find out
DfE ‘lacks coherent plan’ to boost teacher recruitment
It is not clear how the government intends to fulfil its promise to recruit 6,500 more teachers, an MPs’ committee warns
Tuesday
8th Jul 2025
Will digital exams spell the end of handwriting in schools?
Handwriting has ‘important advantages’ and must not be undermined by the rollout of digital exams, former education secretary tells MPs
DfE launches ‘phonics-inspired’ primary writing framework
The new framework is set to be revised if DfE changes the national curriculum following the current review