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
15th Oct 2026
Disadvantage gap at GCSE narrows but still above pre-pandemic level
The latest key stage 4 data reveals a marginal uptick in the national average at Attainment 8 and a record proportion of students being identified with SEND
Powell: Oracy will have 鈥榚qual status鈥� with reading and writing
Education secretary also reiterates the 鈥榥eed for change鈥� with Ofsted inspections, saying school leaders are being 鈥榩enalised or downgraded for doing the right thing for their children鈥�
DfE SEND expert warns against too many support packages
The co-chair of a panel leading the government鈥檚 SEND reforms also says it is considering 鈥榬eally carefully鈥� whether separate specialist and mainstream support packages are needed
Exclusive
The trust movement has carried the spirit of comprehensive education - now a new era awaits
Ahead of CST鈥檚 annual conference, CEO Leora Cruddas reflects on the origins of the comprehensive school movement and how a push for greater technical education aligns with this goal
1 in 3 schools considering redundancies or restructuring
Heads鈥� leaders urge the government to put more investment into education in the Budget to prevent staff cuts and school closures
Tuesday
13th Oct 2026
DfE relaxes QTS rules for experienced teachers
Changes come into force聽ahead of requirement for academy teachers to hold qualified teacher status from next September
Ofsted report card inspections are 鈥榖rutal鈥�, say governors
School leadership teams have been 鈥榖reaking down鈥� over inspection pressures, National Governance Association survey finds
QTS rules change for teachers from Singapore, South Africa and Jamaica
Move could help to offset the impact of last month鈥檚 decision to remove Nigeria, Ghana and India from the list of eligible countries
Experts warn of health crisis linked to school screen time
More than 150 health professionals write to the government warning that a lack of health scrutiny of edtech in schools is a 鈥榮erious safeguarding concern鈥�
Key stage 3 鈥榣acks clear purpose鈥�, research finds
Newly-formed Early Secondary Advisory Group calls for a shared national vision for KS3 amid fears that Years 7-9 are a 鈥榙umping ground鈥櫬爁or GCSE preparation