Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
Monday
27th Jul 2026
New technical pathways in secondary schools by 2028, PM announces
Schools will be inspected by Ofsted on vocational offering, but sector leaders want more details on multiple aspects of the plans
Ethnicity excluded from new similar-schools measure amid legal fears
A new DfE ‘similar schools’ measure, launching this September, is aimed at helping the government and Ofsted to understand how well pupils in one school are achieving compared with those in schools in a similar context
Friday
24th Jul 2026
What Lucy Powell should do about Ofsted, staff wellbeing and pupil rolls
As the new education secretary begins her tenure, ASCL leader Pepe Di’Iasio outlines three priorities in her in-tray
Two years on and the VAT debate remains alive
Should private schools accept that VAT on fees is here to stay, or could political winds of change shift again one day, asks HMC CEO Simon Hyde
Students in England ‘substantially’ more likely to be mocked by peers
Research also warns that exam anxiety is contributing to a ‘steady decline’ in life satisfaction among young people
Thursday
23rd Jul 2026
Key teacher training funding now conditional on SEND content
The intensive training and practice grant will only be given to training providers that tailor their content to supporting pupils with SEND and adaptive teaching
Social media bullying linked to school absence, study finds
Research by the NFER also reveals that parental fines for student absence are ‘counterproductive’
Monday
20th Jul 2026
Lucy Powell appointed as education secretary
She will replace Bridget Phillipson, who has been in the role since Labour came to power in July 2024
How will prime minister Andy Burnham ‘change’ education?
England’s new leader wants to reshape the education system: ÌÇÐÄVlog talks to experts about what this could mean for schools