The Department for Education is calling on primary and secondary teachers to help advise on the potential impact of policy decisions.

The invitation to apply to join the Teacher Reference Group is part of the department’s commitment to “engage teachers in national education policy”, it has said.

The group acts as a “confidential sounding board” to advise on how policies will impact the school system, according to the applicants’ information pack. It also provides teachers with the opportunity to contribute their views, offer insight and provide feedback to ministers, the pack says.

DfE invites teachers to help shape policy

The DfE emphasises that the group is “not representative” and holds no power of veto over policy decisions.

Positions in the group are unpaid and last one year, with the opportunity to extend for up to three years.

Successful applicants will be expected to meet four times annually, starting from spring 2026.

To qualify to join the group, teachers must have a teaching timetable of at least 60 per cent, and cannot belong to the senior leadership team within their school or serve within another DfE advisory group.

Teachers must also show they have supported their school in “helping every child thrive” and with the “implementation of national policy changes”.

The department said it would “particularly welcome” candidates from local authority-maintained schools, special and alternative provision institutions, free schools, faith schools and ethnic-minority groups.

Advisory group will feedback to DfE officials

The applicants’ information pack says that candidates will be expected to maintain confidentiality, allow other members to contribute, be open-minded and “consider the whole picture”.

The group currently consists of 16 teachers in primaries and secondaries across England.

The DfE said: “We want to hear from individuals who are interested in shaping policy development and implementation. As a reference group member, you will be empowered to share your views and provide feedback directly to officials and ministers on a range of policies impacting schools.”

Earlier this year, the DfE also invited MAT leaders to join a new advisory group to “enable meaningful discussions and provide advice on matters relating to the achieving and thriving pillar of the Opportunity Mission”.

Applications close on Monday 8 December 2025.

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