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
20th Feb 2025
Schools call on ministers to extend chess funding
Scheme to encourage pupils in disadvantaged areas to take up chess has been a great success, schools say
Curriculum review urged to look at employment skills
The development of essential employment skills, starting from the early years, is key to meeting future workforce needs, says research report
Monday
17th Feb 2025
DfE warned about ‘negative’ impact of Oak National Academy
The British Educational Suppliers Association raises concerns with a DfE review about the creation of Oak National Academy as a government resources quango
Schools’ quick wellbeing fixes can do more harm than good
‘Dropped in’ wellbeing interventions don’t work, research shows. Instead mental health needs to be embedded in school life, says Luke Ramsden
9 out of 10 areas with highest absence are in the North
A coalition of northern-based charities and organisations calls on the government to tackle the root causes of pupil absence
Thursday
13th Feb 2025
RISE teams target 32 schools in ‘urgent’ need
The new regional school improvement programme will grow in April with the appointment of 50 new advisers, says DfE
‘Talking up the profession’ sounds hollow without action
If we want to change perceptions of teaching then real change is needed – from pay to professional respect, says the NAHT’s James Bowen
Wednesday
12th Feb 2025
Harden rules on violence against teachers, ministers told
Schools should have to report violence against staff to police, say Tories in bill debate – but Labour says they can already do this
Holiday activities and food programme funding extended
However, further funding will be decided in the upcoming Spending Review, education minister Stephen Morgan has confirmed