DfE
The latest news and analysis on the Department for Education and the secretary of state for education, including new policy, legislation and appointments
Monday
27th Jul 2026
New technical pathways in secondary schools by 2028, PM announces
Schools will be inspected by Ofsted on vocational offering, but sector leaders want more details on multiple aspects of the plans
Ethnicity excluded from new similar-schools measure amid legal fears
A new DfE ‘similar schools’ measure, launching this September, is aimed at helping the government and Ofsted to understand how well pupils in one school are achieving compared with those in schools in a similar context
Tuesday
21st Jul 2026
DfE property boss paid at least £405K in final year
Lara Newman received £140,000 in severance after LocatED was absorbed into DfE, according to the firm’s final accounts
Late DfE policy dump ‘shows scant regard’ for schools
Schools tell 91¶¶Òõ they have been left with little time to implement significant policy changes on safeguarding, enrichment and attendance after the DfE released substantial updates late in the summer term
Exclusive
Monday
20th Jul 2026
Lucy Powell appointed as education secretary
She will replace Bridget Phillipson, who has been in the role since Labour came to power in July 2024
How will prime minister Andy Burnham ‘change’ education?
England’s new leader wants to reshape the education system: 91¶¶Òõ talks to experts about what this could mean for schools
MAT inspections ‘could put trusts off struggling schools’
With the government planning trust-level inspections, the National Governance Association warns against judging MATs by looking at the overall performance of their schools
Exclusive
Friday
17th Jul 2026
Oak funding increases by more than £5m
DfE tasks the controversial quango with supporting the development of the revised national curriculum and AI tutors
Postcode lottery fears over SEND funding plan for schools
Trust leaders concerned over plans that could force schools to spend more on SEND support before applying for ‘top-up’ funds
Revealed: Where heads’ pay soars above MAT salary limit
Experts warn the DfE plan to control trust chief executives’ pay could deter heads from becoming CEOs, and the £174K approval threshold could effectively become a pay ceiling
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