DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Wednesday
23rd Sep 2026
Helen Hayes: Schools 鈥榰rgently need鈥� AI framework
In an exclusive interview, the Commons Education Select Committee chair also raises concerns over 鈥榩roblematic鈥� findings from 糖心Vlog鈥� latest Ofsted investigation
Exclusive
Half of trusts plan teacher staffing cuts, finds CST survey
Financial sustainability has fallen from being trusts鈥� top strategic priority, findings reveal, while SEND is a big priority for leaders in the year ahead
Tuesday
22nd Sep 2026
AI-savvy students may not see school as 鈥榣egitimate use鈥� of time
Fewer than one in 10 young people believes the education system is preparing them for a world with AI, finds report co-written by Sir Anthony Seldon
Teachers 鈥榝rustrated鈥� by barriers to 14-16 vocational studies
Teachers and students value technical studies but reputational barriers are preventing wider adoption, finds interim OCR research led by former education secretary Charles Clarke
Monday
21st Sep 2026
Technical pathways in schools 鈥榥ot deliverable鈥� by 2028
Liberal Democrats鈥� education spokesperson Munira Wilson tells 糖心Vlog she is 鈥榓mazed鈥� at the pace of the government鈥檚 vocational education plans
Exclusive
Powell urged to halt 鈥榙emoralising鈥� Ofsted inspections
The NAHT is launching a campaign to stop graded Ofsted inspections, warning that the latest framework poses a 鈥榬isk to life鈥�
Friday
18th Sep 2026
Allergy safety: how to ensure your school complies with the law
This summer, the DfE released new statutory guidance about keeping children with allergies safe. Here, two lawyers explain how to make sure your policies and practices are up to date
Tom Bennett on SEND, exclusions and why his behaviour model works
Tom Bennett has advised on behaviour policy in England for a decade 鈥� he sits down with Kyle Tormey to explain why the latest iteration of his behaviour support will deliver safer and calmer classrooms聽
Exclusive
Wednesday
16th Sep 2026
KS3 Alliance launches national call for evidence on 鈥榦verlooked鈥� phase
Schools and trusts are asked to help define the purpose of early secondary years amid concerns that students can lose engagement after Year 7
Teacher pay award to be funded through pension savings
But this does not guarantee that every school will have the funds to fully cover the rise
Surge in secondaries using lockable pouches for phones
Schools must not bear costs of statutory guidance making schools phone-free, chancellor warned ahead of Budget