DfE

The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments

Saturday

20th Apr 2024

Converting school space for childcare ‘costs thousands’, DfE told
The government says a pilot scheme will look at how unused school space could be repurposed for early years provision – but heads’ leaders warn plan must come with funding
Empty classroom
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Friday

19th Apr 2024

Put teachers at the heart of education reform
Politicians planning major assessment or curriculum reform need to prioritise consulting and supporting teachers, writes IB director-general Olli-Pekka Heinonen
Lightbulbs

Thursday

18th Apr 2024

What does the gap in Progress 8 mean for schools?
While the pause to Progress 8 is welcome, there are things schools need to be wary of, argues Tom Middlehurst
What does the gap in Progress 8 mean for schools?
Suspensions up by three-quarters since pandemic
The number of permanent exclusions has risen by more than one-third year on year, DfE figures show
Jump in exclusions and suspensions
Absence rates up despite attendance drive
DfE data shows a rise in overall absence and pupils persistently absent last term compared with spring 2022-23
Absence rates up despite attendance drive

Tuesday

16th Apr 2024

Capita loses £180m Sats contract to Pearson
The decision to award the primary assessment contract to Pearson follows a delay to Sats marking last year that led to Capita issuing an apology
child thinking during test

Monday

15th Apr 2024

We need a teacher ‘propaganda parade’, says Carter
Former government adviser urges those working in teaching to ‘put up some banners about how great it is’ to help tackle recruitment problems
Sir Andrew Carter: We need a teacher 'propaganda parade' to help recruitment

Friday

12th Apr 2024

DfE could spend £9m on cost-cutting advisers for schools
The DfE is offering a multi-million-pound contract to supply school resource management advisers – but doubts have been raised about the SRMA cost-cutting scheme
The Department for Education is inviting organisations to bid for at least £7 million to supply schools with advisers to help manage resources.

Tuesday

9th Apr 2024

Abandoning overseas teacher scheme could be disaster for physics
The CEO of the Institute of Physics says cutting short a pilot project for subjects struggling to recruit is baffling and will only make existing problems a lot worse
Physics class

Monday

8th Apr 2024

Watch: Teachers’ priorities ahead of a general election
Tes speaks to NEU members to find out the big issues teachers will want to see prioritised by a future government in a likely general election year
NEU video

Friday

5th Apr 2024

Ofsted reform delay ‘risks lives’, warns Ruth Perry’s sister
Professor Julia Waters will tell the NEU conference today of her fear that policymakers are only ‘paying lip service’ to demands for change at Ofsted
Julia Waters says Ofsted must not pay lip service to reform

Thursday

4th Apr 2024

NEU: Teachers reject pre-pay offer strike action
Members of the biggest teachers’ union instead vote in favour of a ‘snap poll’ on the government’s forthcoming pay offer
NEU: Teachers reject pre-pay offer strike action