The Latest Breaking News from DfE

Private school pupil numbers in England fall after VAT on fees

There were around 11,000 fewer pupils in independent schools in January compared with the same point last year, Government figures show.

Evening Standard · Jun 5, 2025

Truss should be banned from ever running as Tory candidate again to show ‘we get it’, says former minister – as it happened

Conservative party urged to ‘draw a line’ under the Liz Truss era and never again endorse her as candidate

The Guardian - UK · Jun 5, 2025

Charities welcome free school meals change but warn ‘more is needed’

Charities and school leaders welcomed the change but urged the Government to reconsider the two-child benefit cap to ease poverty levels.

Evening Standard · Jun 4, 2025

‘Generational shift’ in free childcare will give women freedom, says Phillipson

The expansion of funded childcare began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds.

Evening Standard · May 12, 2025

Teaching apprenticeships shortened to get more teachers into classroom sooner

The change comes after Labour pledged to recruit an additional 6,500 new expert teachers over the course of its five-year parliamentary term.

The Independent UK · May 8, 2025

Labour’s pledge to hire 6,500 extra teachers in England will be a ‘challenge’, report says

Secondary school pupil numbers also likely to outpace government’s recruitment goals, watchdog warns

The Guardian - UK · Apr 29, 2025

Government vow to recruit 6,500 teachers may not address shortage – watchdog

The National Audit Office has called on the Department for Education to publish a delivery plan for achieving its teacher recruitment target.

The Independent UK · Apr 29, 2025

Government urged to invest £260m in teacher training to boost school standards

All teachers should be given free access to a ‘golden thread’ of core professional qualifications, a think tank and charity has suggested.

Evening Standard · Apr 28, 2025

Number of school suspensions and exclusions in England has risen in a year

The rise comes amid warnings of challenging behaviour in classrooms following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Evening Standard · Apr 24, 2025

Pledge to create thousands more nursery places has backfired, early years groups say

Schools are pushing out established groups as funding for more places comes on stream

The Guardian - UK · Apr 19, 2025