Department for Education in the news

The OfS has streamlined some regulatory requirements for Further Education colleges without degree-awarding powers while introducing a new free speech complaints scheme, aiming to balance reduced duplication with continued oversight.

The Department for Education is closing its school performance website, CSCP, and launching a new service this autumn to be a key part of school accountability.

The Department for Education approved Southampton's Local SEND Reform Plan, unlocking grant funding and recognizing the city's commitment to improving special education needs and disabilities support.

The Department for Education is reforming vocational learning with new GCSEs and V Levels to combat youth unemployment and offer practical skills alongside academic subjects.

A new federal earnings test finalized by the U.S. Department of Education could limit student loan access for programs whose graduates do not achieve sufficient earnings compared to those with less education, with the rule effective July 1, 2027.

Schools are concerned that a promised 3.5% teacher pay rise will need to be covered by their existing budgets, despite initial assurances from the Department for Education that new funding would be provided through pension scheme savings.

A new SEND school in Darlington has doubled its approved student places to 96, with the Department for Education supporting the expansion to meet local demand.

Faculty at a university discussed adapting teaching for AI and responded to the Department of Education's request for institutions to declare their commitments.

The U.S. Department of Education extended the deadline for student loan borrowers to enroll in auto pay for a 1% interest rate reduction until the end of 2026.

The Starmer government's ambitious education agenda faces challenges in achieving its goals for attainment, teacher workforce, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) due to measurement weaknesses and funding uncertainties.

Peterborough's Local SEND Reform Plan received Department for Education approval, making the city eligible for an indicative £9.8 million grant to strengthen inclusion and early intervention for children with special educational needs.

Wiltshire Council's SEND Reform Plan, developed with community input, received approval from the Department for Education to enhance support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Cheshire East Council secured Department for Education approval for its SEND Reform Plan, aiming to transform support for children with special educational needs and disabilities through early intervention and inclusion.

BCP Council is awaiting government approval for its major SEND reform plan and has committed 1.5 million annually for early intervention.

Funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages classes in England has dropped by 39% in real terms since 2009, despite increasing demand and a rise in non-native English speakers.

Most councils have received approval for SEND grants, significantly reducing their special educational needs and disabilities service deficits.

The Department for Education has approved over 90% of local SEND reform plans, leading to a significant write-off of council deficits.

Cheshire East Council's plan to transform SEND provision, focusing on early intervention and inclusion, has been approved by the government, which will also offset a significant portion of the council's high needs deficit.

New government SEND training for teachers receives mixed reactions, with experts criticizing its lack of practical strategies and omission of DLD, while others praise its emphasis on inclusive teaching, despite concerns about its scope and timing.

Wiltshire Council's SEND Reform Plan, focused on improving support and partnership for children with special educational needs, received approval from the Department for Education, with a webinar scheduled for parents.