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
Thursday
16th Oct 2025
School leaders added to DfE inclusion group
Expert advisers will now look at how the government鈥檚 inclusion drive tallies with curriculum and Ofsted reform
Schools across Northern Ireland in 鈥榮tate of disrepair鈥�
鈥楿nsafe鈥� school sites in Northern Ireland could lead to a bill of up to 拢800 million, according to Stormont Assembly鈥檚 Public Accounts Committee
SEND: Pupils 鈥榟ave greater sense of belonging鈥� in special schools
Sutton Trust research reveals the challenges that the government is facing in its drive to make mainstream schools more inclusive
Wednesday
15th Oct 2025
Government sets 90% phonics check target
A mandatory reading test for Year 8 students will also be introduced by the end of this parliament, Bridget Phillipson confirms
Johnson and Treasury 鈥榞ave different messages鈥� on Covid school recovery
Top official also tells the Covid inquiry of concerns about the DfE鈥檚 current ability 鈥� in the event of another pandemic 鈥� to identify which pupils have digital devices for remote learning
How Martyn鈥檚 Law will affect schools - and why leaders should act now
Schools will already fulfil many of the requirements of new anti-terrorism legislation for public premises but there are still important new duties to consider, says Professor Michael Green
Tuesday
14th Oct 2025
3 in 4 teachers warn misogyny is a big problem in schools
Headteachers鈥� leaders call for more support and guidance to tackle misogyny in schools as new research suggests it is a growing issue
Williamson admits 鈥榤any mistakes鈥� made in DfE Covid response
Former education secretary criticises Boris Johnson for giving 鈥榝alse hope鈥� in spring 2020 that schools would reopen
The DfE must reverse its decision to cut IB funding
Withdrawing funding for the International Baccalaureate in state schools will have a big negative impact of students for the sake of a small saving, warns this education leader
Friday
10th Oct 2025
How the global 鈥榩olycrisis鈥� is changing school leadership
A combination of global social, economic and environmental crises is changing the role of schools 鈥� but are we giving leaders the time, skills and resources to respond?
鈥楬yper-competition鈥� between schools weakens inclusion, leader warns
SEND reforms should leave behind the long-established 鈥榤arket system鈥� of competition, the 糖心Vlog SEND Show hears
Exclusive