DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Friday
7th Mar 2025
Government doing 鈥榯oo little, too slowly鈥� on mobile phones, MPs told
Ministers under fire over 鈥榳atered-down鈥� second version of the Safer Phones Bill, which no longer includes consideration of a statutory mobile phone ban in schools
Early years: Teachers to be trained to supervise toothbrushing
School聽leaders warn government not to expect them to 鈥榝ix all of society鈥檚 ills鈥� following supervised toothbrushing announcement
DfE has 鈥榣imited鈥� knowledge of where 拢9.2bn pupil premium goes
MPs warn schools are using money aimed at supporting disadvantaged pupils to plug gaps elsewhere 鈥� but leaders say more funding is needed
Thursday
6th Mar 2025
DfE attendance tsar urges schools to focus on occasional absentees
Rob Tarn says schools struggling with attendance can make a difference with pupils who 鈥榗ould come to school all the time鈥�
Many pupils in poverty missing out on free school meals
With research revealing the gap between the number of children in poverty and those getting free school meals, the Education Policy Institute echoes calls for automatic enrolment
Tuesday
4th Mar 2025
Are ITT 鈥榮hortcomings鈥� behind special school teacher shortages?
Findings come after special schools were shown to be suffering more 鈥榮evere鈥� teacher shortages than other parts of the sector
More than 4 in 5 heads suffer abuse from parents
The NAHT warns that its members are facing increasing abuse including threats, online trolling, discrimination and violence
Friday
28th Feb 2025
鈥楿rgent鈥� call for consistency on MAT leaders鈥� pay
糖心Vlog analysis of CEO salaries at 鈥榦utlier鈥� trusts shows the need for national pay framework, say leaders
MPs: DfE bill should ensure 鈥榓uto-enrolment鈥� for free school meals
The Commons Education Select Committee also warns that the government鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Wellbeing and Schools Bill has had a 鈥榬ushed and inadequate鈥� timetable
Thursday
27th Feb 2025
Schools told to do more to keep pupils out of youth justice system
Children鈥檚 commissioner says schools should be required to outline how sanctions like suspensions will trigger additional support
Ministers urged to ensure climate change is taught across curriculum
Experts say teachers want more professional development support to teach climate change and sustainability
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