DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Thursday
8th May 2025
DfE reveals 215 ‘stuck’ schools getting RISE support
The schools that RISE advisers are giving targeted support to include 70 converter academies
Concern over silence on Oak probe
An independent review into Oak National Academy was set to conclude in early 2025 but the DfE cannot say when it will be published or provide meeting details
Exclusive
Wednesday
7th May 2025
DfE to set out costed SEND plan ‘within a year’
Government accepts recommendations for action on SEND from public spending watchdog but says it cannot commit to meeting deadlines
Stephen Morgan: ‘We’re bringing exam results into the 21st century’
Education minister Stephen Morgan explains why he is confident a new app to deliver GCSE results will make life easier for students – and help schools save time and money
Students to get GCSE results via app under DfE trial
GCSE students in two regions will access their results digitally this summer as part of a new ‘education record’ that is being piloted
Tuesday
6th May 2025
5 key insights from new DfE security guidance
New guidance gives advice to schools on preparing for security risks – from antisocial behaviour to terrorist threats. A deputy head picks out five key themes leaders should know about
Maths funding to target girls at disadvantaged schools
Government says £8.2m will help more than 7,000 pupils to study maths at A level and get into AI-related jobs
Friday
2nd May 2025
Talk of schools finding ‘efficiencies’ is a fantasy
The government says schools will need to find ‘efficiencies’ to cover next year’s teacher pay rise. The truth is that this means more cuts, writes the ASCL general secretary
RISE teams: Trust leaders voice transparency concerns
Academy trust leaders tell Tes that it’s not clear how support for struggling schools will be procured under the government scheme
Heads demand clarity on the legal right to seclude pupils
School leaders voice fears over changes to government guidance on the use of restraint, warning that they could lead to the unfair treatment of pupils with SEND
Heads forced to ‘lobby’ for specialist provision in early years
Despite young pupils’ increasingly complex needs, leaders fear there is too little focus on getting them the right support