Department for Education

Children to be taught ‘worrying and feeling down’ are not mental health issues

New guidance will reportedly teach children that “worrying and feeling down” are not mental health issues as part of new efforts to tackle a growing employment crisis. According to The Telegraph, new guidance will advise teachers to not encourage pupils to self-diagnose “normal feelings” as problems such as anxiety and…

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Gov pledges to tackle digital divide between schools

The Department for Education (DfE) has promised to help ”narrow the digital divide” in schools, promising to make “outdated systems and patchy connectivity a thing of the past”. Following a consultation with schools, the government has set out expectations for schools and colleges to meet six digital standards by 2030,…

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DfE unveils updated RSHE guidance for schools

The Department for Education has published revised statutory guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), which schools in England must implement from September 2025. The updated framework introduces stricter requirements around safeguarding, digital literacy, consent and parental engagement, with the aim of better preparing children and young people for…

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Government appoints youth panel on education and jobs access

The government has formed a panel of young people with experience of being out of education, employment and training to advise ministers on improving support for others in the same position. The Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel, comprising 17 members aged 18 to 24, will meet regularly to discuss barriers to…

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School suspensions near one million amid rising exclusions

Nearly one million suspensions were recorded in state-funded schools in England during the 2023/24 academic year. The total reached 955,000 – a 21% increase from 787,000 the previous year – equating to 1,131 suspensions per 10,000 pupils. Permanent exclusions also rose, up 16% to 10,900. This corresponds to 13 exclusions…

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PAC warns of unclear delivery plan for teacher pledge

A government pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers “lacks clarity on delivery, measurement or impact”, a parliamentary report has warned. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the Department for Education (DfE) has “no coherent plan” or evidence-based approach to addressing teacher shortages, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Its report follows over…

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Govt to roll out 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs

The government has announced plans to roll out up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs across England by 2028, providing parents and young children with easier access to support services. The hubs, which will be introduced in every local authority by April 2026, aim to improve early development and school…

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Over 4,000 new childcare places to open in schools this September

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that more than 4,000 school-based nursery places are set to open across England this September, with nearly 200 schools taking part in the first phase of the government’s early years expansion. According to the government department, schools involved in the rollout were on…

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T Level uptake must rise to address skills gap, MPs warn

The government must do more to boost student enrolment in T Levels or risk the technical qualification remaining a “minority pursuit”, MPs have warned. It comes as a new report from Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) urges the Department for Education (DfE) to address the “significant challenges” facing the two-year…

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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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