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
30th Apr 2026
Flexible-working scheme fails to reach schools most in need of help
Only 3 per cent of school leaders were even aware of the government鈥檚 programme to increase flexible working after its first year, says DfE report
SEND: Support plan complaints could 鈥榦verwhelm鈥 schools, ministers warned
Commons Education Select Committee chair Helen Hayes raises concerns over government SEND reforms
Spring term exclusions hit record high
The number of permanent exclusions in the spring term is the highest ever, DfE data shows, and growing proportions of SEND and disadvantaged students are being suspended
Tuesday
28th Apr 2026
Banning 鈥榥ot seen, not heard鈥 phone policies would be foolish, MPs told
Government under pressure to go further with its restrictions on phones in schools 鈥 but unions warn of the cost of solutions such as introducing lockable pouches for devices
Heads demand funding for 鈥榗rumbling鈥 school buildings
School leaders warn of 鈥榓geing buildings that aren鈥檛 even warm or watertight鈥 as the NAHT prepares to debate the issue of funding for the school estate at its annual conference
Monday
27th Apr 2026
The arts must not be reduced to day trips, warns NEU
The arts are too often sidelined in favour of English and maths, says NEU president during event calling for 鈥榬estoration鈥 of arts to the curriculum
Supply agency fee capped at 拢55 per day under DfE 鈥榤andate鈥
New policy aimed at saving schools money is welcomed, but heads鈥 union points out that fewer supply staff would be needed if teacher recruitment and retention were improved
7 key findings from annual academy trust accounts report
The DfE鈥檚 sector-wide report and accounts show deficits rising, higher staff costs and millions of pounds of extra financial support
Friday
24th Apr 2026
Primary assessment: what are pupils tested on and how do they perform?
From the Reception Baseline Assessment to KS2 Sats, primary pupils take a range of assessments. Here鈥檚 what each involves, why it exists and how results compare nationally
What putting the phone 鈥榖an鈥 into law would mean for schools
With nearly one in 10 secondary teachers saying that phone use disrupted their most recent lesson, will the government鈥檚 planned legal change on phones in schools help?
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