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
16th Oct 2026
Ofqual chief warns against ‘undiscriminating’ AI use in schools
Sir Ian Bauckham tells the Confederation of School Trusts’ annual conference that ‘outsourcing’ student thinking to AI is an ‘assault’ on human potential
Ofsted to recruit more inspectors with MAT expertise
Multi-academy trust inspections could begin ‘later in 2028’, says leading Ofsted official
Ofsted to pilot independent complaints system
New complaints service will be able to make recommendations about grading to Ofsted’s chief inspector
National curriculum consultation delayed until ‘later this year’
School leaders voice frustration as delay to consultation on study and subject content confirmed
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Free breakfast in schools ‘could worsen child obesity’
Scheme risks giving pupils ‘unnecessary’ second breakfast – but can also improve attainment and behaviour, research finds
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Thursday
15th Oct 2026
DfE told to defend moving schools to national MAT
Trust warns officials that rebrokering process ‘risks undermining sector confidence’, in emails seen by Tes
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3 ways MATs are using AI to tackle SEND pressures
Multi-academy trusts share how they are using artificial intelligence to support staff working with children who have special educational needs
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Disadvantage gap at GCSE narrows but still above pre-pandemic level
The latest key stage 4 data reveals a marginal uptick in the national average at Attainment 8 and a record proportion of students being identified with SEND
Powell: Oracy will have ‘equal status’ with reading and writing
Education secretary also reiterates the ‘need for change’ with Ofsted inspections, saying school leaders are being ‘penalised or downgraded for doing the right thing for their children’
DfE SEND expert warns against too many support packages
The co-chair of a panel leading the government’s SEND reforms also says it is considering ‘really carefully’ whether separate specialist and mainstream support packages are needed
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