Policy
The latest news, analysis and advice on government policy and legislation. Find a breakdown of new documentation, case studies from leaders and comment from high-profile educators
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

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’

Exclusions: 1 in 3 leaders say they lack alternatives
School leaders are also worried about balancing behaviour management with the need for inclusion, survey shows

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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

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

Too many chiefs? The debate over MATs having joint CEOs
With two multi-academy trust mergers proposing a dual-CEO leadership model, Dan Worth investigates how common this approach is – and whether it can really work

Wednesday
2nd Jul 2025
Just 19 people show interest in the DfE’s ambassador jobs
The DfE is accused of ‘burying’ adverts for its new attendance and behaviour ambassador jobs, with the successful candidates, who are due to start this week, yet to be announced

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4 barriers to inclusive practice - and how to overcome them
As the government pushes for more children with SEND to be educated in mainstream schools, Zofia Niemtus looks at what needs to happen to make genuine inclusion a reality, outlining the key issues holding practice back

Tuesday
1st Jul 2025
DfE won’t end ‘effective’ SEND provision, says minister
Schools minister tells MPs that a decision on changes to education, health and care plans has not yet been made

DfE doesn’t know how many pupils will lose FSM
Government accused of ‘flying in the dark’ over the impact of its planned changes to eligibility for free school meals

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