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
7th Jul 2025
Ministers refuse to rule out cutting EHCPs
Pressure on the government over SEND reforms mounts as campaigners warn that pupils will not survive in mainstream education without statutory support

KCSIE 2025: What has changed
The DfE has published updated Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance for 2025 – here’s what schools need to know

Why government should pause the schools bill
If Labour really wants excellence for every child, it would do well to rethink this much-criticised piece of legislation, says the director of the New Schools Network

Nursery teachers in disadvantaged communities to be offered £4,500
The DfE has also announced new funding for partnerships between schools and nurseries to strengthen transitions

Friday
4th Jul 2025
DfE inclusion group’s work extended
Government inclusion adviser and chair of the group Tom Rees speaks to Tes about its ambitions for reform

DfE misses its deadline for key attendance and behaviour roles
Two ‘ambassadors’ who will oversee the merged attendance and behaviour hubs were due to start today, but the DfE has made no announcement

Exclusive
School-readiness targets ‘must not be a stick to beat schools’
With the DfE launching a new data tool in its drive to increase the number of children who are school-ready, heads’ leaders warn that ministers cannot rely on ‘targets alone’

Two East Midlands trusts get merger approval
Djanogly Learning Trust and QEGSMAT aim to launch a new 15-school MAT next year

Thursday
3rd Jul 2025
One year in for Labour: is it hitting its education pledges?
Tes assesses how much progress has been made in Labour’s mission to ‘break down barriers to opportunity’ a year after it was elected to government

All exam paper errors are ‘unacceptable’, warns chief regulator
Sir Ian Bauckham’s comment follows exam board OCR’s apology for errors in A-level papers

DfE adviser sets out 5 principles for inclusive practice
Group led by MAT CEO Tom Rees warns there is inconsistency in the training and support available to promote inclusion

Ofsted chief apologises for short notice on new inspections
Sir Martyn Oliver says he’s sorry that schools will get less than a term’s notice before new-style inspections with report cards are introduced
