Guidance

The latest news, analysis and best-practice advice when it comes to official education guidance coming from the government, inspectorates and governing bodies

Thursday

14th May 2026

What Scotland’s education directors need from the new government
A ‘moment of truth’ faces Scotland’s education system, says Sheena Devlin, who sets out the ADES’ view on what must change
What Scotland's education directors need from the new government

Friday

8th May 2026

DfE to call on leaders to become RISE ‘partners’
New DfE-convened regional partnerships will be expected to provide ‘formalised oversight’ of progress against school improvement priorities
DfE to call on leaders to become RISE 'partners'

Monday

27th Apr 2026

Supply agency fee capped at £55 per day under DfE ‘mandate’
New policy aimed at saving schools money is welcomed, but heads’ union points out that fewer supply staff would be needed if teacher recruitment and retention were improved
Supply agency fee capped at £55 per day under DfE ‘mandate’

Thursday

16th Apr 2026

Banning phones in schools ‘already solved’, claims minister
Education minister Olivia Bailey comes under fire as MPs reject Lords’ proposal for a statutory ban on phones in schools
Phone ban in schools

Monday

13th Apr 2026

Funding fears over new school food standards
Deep-fried food will be banned from school menus in England as part of government plans – but experts warn about the increased cost of providing healthier options
New school food standards

Saturday

4th Apr 2026

Teachers call for new training on misogynistic abuse
NASUWT members reveal ordeal faced in classroom amid concerns about the influence of the ‘manosphere’
Teachers have shared experiences of misogynistic abuse faced by male pupils.

Wednesday

4th Mar 2026

Schools to provide life‑saving allergy pens under new rules
New allergies guidance will give parents confidence that schools can keep their children safe, says early education minister Olivia Bailey
Allergic pen

Monday

16th Feb 2026

Schools face wait for ‘urgently needed’ medical guidance
Minister says new guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions won’t be published until the spring after MPs warn of young people being left ‘exposed’
MPs have been told that updated guidance for schools on medical care is coming in the spring.

Thursday

12th Feb 2026

Social transition requests should be treated with ‘caution’, DfE says
The government will embed gender guidance for schools within Keeping Children Safe in Education, including guidelines to ensure that single-sex spaces are protected

Social transition requests should be treated with ‘caution’, DfE says

Thursday

29th Jan 2026

Internal suspension rules ‘must not undermine’ schools
The schools White Paper will introduce measures that keep more suspended pupils in school under supervision, instead of sending them home, says DfE
Suspensions and Exclusions

Monday

26th Jan 2026

DfE writes to schools to push universal RISE support
The universal RISE school improvement programme is being promoted as an optional offer available to all schools – separate from targeted RISE support for specific schools
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson is promoting the government's RISE school improvement schemes

Monday

12th Jan 2026

Warning over students ingesting copper sulphate
DfE issues health alert after a helpline supporting safe science practical work warns of students ‘deliberately’ consuming the chemical compound
Copper sulphate