DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
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?
Exclusive
Wednesday
22nd Apr 2026
McVittie review: No evidence of antisemitism at Bristol Brunel Academy
Independent review finds that lobbying groups did not influence the school or trust in the decision to postpone a Jewish MP鈥檚 visit last year
Primaries face 拢288m shortfall next year due to drop in pupils
The DfE has not given schools enough support to manage the risks associated with falling pupil rolls, National Audit Office warns
Monday
20th Apr 2026
Government to introduce statutory 鈥榖an鈥� on phones in schools
Announcement comes just days after education minister Olivia Bailey told MPs that the problem of phones in schools was 鈥榓lready solved鈥�
SEND reforms 鈥榬isk overlooking developmental language disorder鈥�
Charity calls on government to improve training and support plans for pupils with DLD