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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May- 2025 -29 May
Gov expands inclusivity programme to help neurodiverse pupils
The UK government is expanding a successful programme to help around 300,000 children with neurodiversity issues boost attendance and behaviour. Backed by £9.5m in government funding, the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme – which supports neurodiverse students by training teachers to identify and better meet their…
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27 May
Gov scraps higher level apprenticeships to focus on under 21s
The government has announced plans to scrap funding from higher level apprenticeships to focus on training at “lower” levels. From January 2026, only those aged 16-21 will qualify for level 7 apprenticeships, which are considered equivalent to a master’s degree. The plans are part of the government’s initiative to create…
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15 May
Gov launches national programme to boost inclusive PE for SEND pupils
The UK government is launching a new national programme to improve access to PE and school sports for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Backed by an initial £300,000 for the first year, the Inclusion 2028 programme will work with a network of 50 Youth Sport Trust lead…
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14 May
School staff should receive national training standards on restraint, EHRC says
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned the government to create national training standards on restraint for school staff. The response comes following the Department for Education’s consultation on its “Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance”. The draft guidance stated that schools should prioritise de-escalation…
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6 May
UK gov invests £8.2m to boost girls’ advanced maths skills and AI careers
The UK Government has announced a new £8.2m investment into maths and related skills to pursue AI-related careers, making the sector more accessible to girls in the country. Currently only a third of A level maths pupils are girls, while currently only 22% of professionals working in AI related roles…
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Apr- 2025 -30 April
Gov teachers’ pledge faces uncertainties as vacancies grow, NAO says
The government budgeted £700m last year for initiatives to address the nationwide teacher shortage, but its latest data shows 4,000 vacancies across secondary schools and further education colleges, NAO said. The new report by the independent public spending watchdog assesses whether DfE is achieving value for money through its work…
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30 April
Humanists UK warns govt of faith schools’ ‘negative’ impact on cohesion
Humanists UK has warned the government’s Women and Equalities Committees about the “negative” impact faith schools have on community cohesion. It comes after the charity’s chief executive, Andrew Copson, appeared in front of the committee to deliver expert oral evidence as part of its inquiry on community cohesion, having previously…
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29 April
School uniform rules should not be barrier to education, NASUWT says
The Teacher’s Union, the NASUWT, has reiterated that uniforms should not act as a barrier to education, following the announcement that the Government intends to limit the number of branded items schools can require to three. The union said that school uniform rules should “promote equality and inclusion”, and said that…
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28 April
UK gov to cut school uniform costs
The UK Government is set to cut school uniform costs for around 4.2 million children, saving families an estimated £73m per year, new analysis has found. As the government’s landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill proceeds in the House of Lords this week, analysis shows new laws will wipe over…
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22 April
Breakfast clubs officially available at 750 UK schools
Some 750 schools have officially opened breakfast clubs today (22 April), offering 30 minutes of free childcare to families and a guaranteed healthy meal for kids before school starts. The initiative means that parents will be able to save up to 95 additional hours and £450 per year if their…
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