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
Tuesday
16th Sep 2025
What is the condition of Scotland鈥檚 school buildings?
The number of school buildings given the highest rating has dropped significantly in the past four years, but the Scottish government points to more positive data
SEND: 鈥楾here will always be a legal right to additional support,鈥� says Gould
Education minister Georgia Gould tells packed debate that SEND reforms will be guided by the need for early intervention
What if... we all agreed what children should learn before age 5?
As part of our thought experiment series, Felicity Gillespie argues that we need universal agreement on early development, from when to toilet train to 鈥榣earning鈥� for babies and toddlers
SEND crisis: 鈥楩ull system overhaul鈥� needed, says report
Report calls on government to ensure better staffing, funding and oversight to make the SEND system work for pupils
Friday
12th Sep 2025
Barton: Ofsted inclusion plan 鈥榙iluted鈥� without admissions focus
Taskforce chair says it will be wrong to consider schools to be strong on inclusion if they are happy for local students 鈥榯o be sent in a taxi elsewhere鈥�
Revealed: The first wave of RISE support for 鈥榮tuck鈥� schools
糖心Vlog reveals the organisations chosen to support schools through the government鈥檚 RISE programme 鈥� and the schools they are matched with
Exclusive
The hidden problem inside the attendance crisis
Internal truancy is a drain on teachers鈥� time and resources, harms pupils鈥� life chances 鈥� and could be about to get worse, a 糖心Vlog investigation reveals
Exclusive
DfE warned against quick-fix cuts in SEND reforms
IFS warns that any reforms that would reduce pupils鈥� rights to cut costs could risk a repeat of the backlash over welfare changes
Thursday
11th Sep 2025
DfE to absorb LocatED property firm
鈥楽eamless continuity鈥� promised by DfE鈥檚 in-house property company, in announcement that follows review of all arm鈥檚-length government bodies
Why Bridget Phillipson as Labour deputy would be great for education
Having an education secretary in the engine room of national politics would ensure that schools鈥� and children鈥檚 needs are voiced at the top table, says this MAT CEO