Policy
Get the latest updates on education policies, government initiatives, and school funding decisions. We cover key announcements from the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, and policymakers, offering insights into how policy changes affect primary, secondary, and sixth form education.
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Sep- 2025 -9 September
Ofsted to debut new grading scale as part of inspection overhaul
Ofsted has confirmed that parents will receive new-look inspection report cards from November as part of a wide-ranging reform of education inspections. The changes include a new five-point grading scale with the highest level, “exceptional”, introduced to recognise best practice. The lowest grade will be renamed “urgent improvement”, with other…
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5 September
Plaid Cymru pledges library in every Welsh primary school by 2030
Plaid Cymru has pledged to ensure every primary school in Wales has a dedicated library space by 2030 if it forms the next government. The commitment is part of a “Back to Basics” literacy plan, which was officially launched this week by the party’s education spokesperson Cefin Campbell to mark…
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4 September
MPs launch inquiry into early years reforms and sector workforce
The Education Committee has launched a new inquiry into the early years sector, focusing on workforce sustainability, access to services, and the quality of outcomes for young children. The cross-party group of MPs will examine the impact of recent changes to childcare entitlements and assess whether government reforms are supporting…
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2 September
UCU calls Labour’s stance on international students ‘political suicide’
The University and College Union (UCU) has condemned a Home Office plan to send international students text messages warning against claiming asylum. Under the move, announced by the home secretary, students and their families will be told that asylum claims “without merit” will be swiftly refused and that those overstaying…
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Aug- 2025 -29 August
Ellen Thinnesen OBE appointed further education commissioner
Ellen Thinnesen OBE, the chief executive of Education Partnership North East, has been appointed as the next further education commissioner. Thinnesen has a “wealth” of experience and knowledge, having been CEO and Principal of Sunderland College from 2016 and CEO of Education Partnership North East from 2019. This includes leading…
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Jul- 2025 -24 July
NASUWT appoints Matt Wrack as general secretary
NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union has appointed Matt Wrack as its new general secretary following a ballot from its members. Voting in the nationwide postal ballot closed on 23 July 2025, with thousands of teachers casting their votes. Wrack will replace Dr. Patrick Roach CBE in the role. Wayne Broom,…
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8 July
Welsh language education law receives royal assent
The Welsh government has revealed that a new legislation designed to help all children in Wales become confident Welsh speakers has become law after receiving royal assent this week. The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act aims to strengthen the role of the language in schools and move towards the…
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3 July
Think tank claims international students now UK’s largest migration route
British universities are “selling immigration, not education”, according to a new report by think tank Policy Exchange, which claims to reveal the full extent of international student migration to the UK. The report says international students have become “the largest driver of overall migration”, with 425,000 student visas issued in…
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Jun- 2025 -25 June
Welsh govt launches consultation to reform school funding system
The Welsh government has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to school funding regulations, aiming to bring greater consistency and transparency across the country. Lynne Neagle, cabinet secretary for education, said the changes would address long-standing concerns over unequal spending between local authorities and schools. The consultation proposes amendments…
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24 June
Unions call on gov to scrap inspection reform timetable
The Department for Education (DfE) must scrap plans to introduce its new school inspection arrangements in November and delay its implementation until the start of the 2026/27 academic year, unions have warned the government. The general secretaries of NEU, NASUWT, ASCL and NAHT have written to state secretary Bridget Phillipson…
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