Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Tuesday
1st Jul 2025
DfE won’t end ‘effective’ SEND provision, says minister
Schools minister tells MPs that a decision on changes to education, health and care plans has not yet been made
DfE doesn’t know how many pupils will lose FSM
Government accused of ‘flying in the dark’ over the impact of its planned changes to eligibility for free school meals
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Friday
27th Jun 2025
Cutting teachers’ contact time: councils highlight problems
Scottish local authorities are accused of ‘running down the clock’ on the government’s flagship policy of reducing teachers’ class-contact time
Trainees from overseas sleep in libraries and rely on food banks
International trainees and teachers are helping to tackle England’s recruitment crisis, but those who move here face huge obstacles. Cerys Turner explores why this is – and what should be done about it
Thursday
26th Jun 2025
Most EHCP decisions miss 20-week deadline
Another huge increase in requests shows the system creaking under demand, amid suggestions government is considering overhauling how EHCPs are issued
MSPs vote to replace SQA despite ‘rebrand’ criticism
The passing of legislation is an ‘opportunity missed’ to improve the learning environment of pupils, warns Scotland’s biggest teaching union
AI advances lay bare sluggishness of Scottish education reform
Change in Scottish education is proving slow – but could the forthcoming election focus minds when it comes to the promised reduction in teachers’ class-contact time, asks Emma Seith
Wednesday
25th Jun 2025
Why ‘additional registration’ gives flexibility but keeps up standards
More teachers could be making use of the opportunity to gain registration across both primary and secondary schools, says the chief executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland
Scottish education reform reaches landmark
Education bill paves the way for change at Scotland’s national assessment and inspection bodies, but critics say it does not go far enough
The green shoots of education reform must spread further
The pace and scale of the government’s education reforms risk falling short – ministers need to listen to the sector and increase investment, writes Carl Ward