DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Today
10th May 2024
Revealed: What Safety Valve deals ‘really mean’
‘Deeply worrying’ details are set out in comprehensive analysis of Safety Valve documents shared with Tes
Exclusive
Hinds: ‘Faster progress’ needed to fix absence problem
Speaking exclusively to Tes as the DfE launches a toolkit to help schools spot pupil absence trends, schools minister says the sector is still facing an ‘attendance problem’
Exclusive
Yesterday
9th May 2024
DfE investigates why some schools are not inclusive
Minister highlights concern about reports of ‘outstanding’-rated schools not having any pupils with an education, health and care plan
Ofsted: Inspectors less likely to give lowest grade twice
Findings might mean inspectors are not able to ‘stomach’ giving the lowest grade twice in a row, say researchers
Revealed: Where 16 new special free schools will open
DfE also names the academy trusts chosen to run seven special schools already in the pipeline
Friday
3rd May 2024
Failure to stop Ofsted damage is ‘reckless’, warns NAHT
NAHT leader will challenge the government over inspection at the union’s annual conference today, saying schools are being treated as a ‘sideline’
EYFS: Sure Start wasn’t perfect, but lessons can be learned
Despite new research highlighting the positive impact of Sure Start, there are reasons why the scheme shouldn’t simply be relaunched, says the chair of the Social Mobility Commission
Regional director system a ‘black box’ lacking visibility, says ex-minister
Robin Walker hits out at the current system after government refused Commons Education Select Committee calls for decision-makers to produce an annual report for Parliament
Exclusive
Wednesday
1st May 2024
DfE SEND reform testing plan ‘9 months behind schedule’
Some of the planned reforms were going down ‘like cold sick’, says Amanda Allard, director of the Council for Disabled Children
Ofqual: Sunak’s ABS plan means ‘unprecedented’ change
In response to the prime minister’s plan for a new Advanced British Standard qualification, exams regulator warns private schools would likely continue to run A levels