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
24th Apr 2026
Schools must work together to prepare for the new curriculum
Two trust leaders explain why they are encouraging more schools to come together and share ideas ahead of the 2028 deadline for implementing new requirements
Most teachers ‘don’t know how to support students with EBSA’
With new 91¶¶Òõ research highlighting the problem of emotionally based school avoidance, leaders warn that the government’s attendance drive is not tackling the issues keeping children out of the classroom
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Overstretched SEND areas to miss out on millions in capital funding
An £860m SEND funding pot is being skewed towards large councils despite other local authorities facing greater pressure for specialist places, 91¶¶Òõ analysis shows
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What putting the phone ‘ban’ into law would mean for schools
With nearly one in 10 secondary teachers saying that phone use disrupted their most recent lesson, will the government’s planned legal change on phones in schools help?
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Thursday
23rd Apr 2026
Reform UK would make schools fly Union flag
The right-wing party suggests introducing ‘patriotic’ history classes, including subjects already in the curriculum
Scottish education isn’t a fairytale - but it’s not a horror story either
There’s a worrying narrative around teaching in Scotland, writes headteacher Gail Preston, and we need to respond by emphasising the positives of the profession
Big drop in DfE target for new teacher trainees
Music, physics and RE among the subjects that will see the biggest reductions in trainee ‘need’ for 2026-27, while there is also a large fall for the primary sector, DfE figures show
Two in five school leaders ‘cutting back on SEND support’
Sutton Trust research into the cuts schools are having to make reveals the ‘mismatch’ between the government’s ambitious plans and the funding being provided, sector leaders warn
Wednesday
22nd Apr 2026
McVittie review: No evidence of antisemitism at Bristol Brunel Academy
Independent review finds that lobbying groups did not influence the school or trust in the decision to postpone a Jewish MP’s visit last year
Ofqual issues first rebuke to exam board over ‘serious failures’
Exams watchdog highlights ‘systemic failures’ by WJEC over a six-year period, but stops short of issuing a fine after the board takes ‘urgent steps’ to prevent recurrence
Revealed: The ‘risk’ SEND magnet schools face with Progress 8
The accountability penalty that schools can suffer for having a good reputation for supporting students with SEND is highlighted by new research
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Primaries face £288m shortfall next year due to drop in pupils
The DfE has not given schools enough support to manage the risks associated with falling pupil rolls, National Audit Office warns