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Children's News Feed

Automatically curated from DfE announcements, education news, and sector updates.

Academics Call on New PM to Transform Early Years Education and Care

Professors Helen Penn and Peter Moss outline how the new Prime Minister could fundamentally improve access to quality early years provision. Their recommendations focus on transforming the current system to ensure all children benefit from high-quality early education and care during the crucial birth-to-five period.

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Policy Jul 31, 2026

The Big Future: Children's Commissioner Hears from Liverpool's Young People

The Children's Commissioner for England has visited Liverpool to speak with children and young people as part of "The Big Future" initiative. The engagement seeks to capture young people's perspectives on their futures, their cities, and what matters most to them as part of a national listening exercise.

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Safeguarding Jul 30, 2026

DfE Cyber-Attack Compromises 607,000 Records: Safeguarding Alert

The Department for Education has suffered a significant cyber-attack resulting in the compromise of 607,000 records from internal portals. This breach raises serious data protection and safeguarding concerns for children, young people and education professionals across the country.

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Policy 1 day ago

Academics Call on New PM to Transform Early Years Education and Care

Read Summary

Policy 2 days ago

The Big Future: Children's Commissioner Hears from Liverpool's Young People

Read Summary

Safeguarding 3 days ago

DfE Cyber-Attack Compromises 607,000 Records: Safeguarding Alert

Read Summary

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Policy Jul 30, 2026

Rebalancing Ambition: Burnham Challenges University-for-All Culture

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has sparked national debate by declaring that technical and vocational pathways should be valued 'every bit as much as the graduation cap'. The intervention challenges decades of policy favouring university as the sole marker of success, instead advocating for education tailored to local business needs and tackling youth unemployment.

Policy Jul 30, 2026

Youth Ambassadors Set Out Priorities for New Prime Minister on Safety, Skills and Society

The Children's Commissioner's Youth Ambassadors have outlined their priorities for the new Prime Minister, emphasising online safety, support for vulnerable families, and creating a fairer society. Their recommendations span health, education, children's social care, and improving access to employment and skills for young people.

Policy Jul 29, 2026

Burnham's technical education plans build on UTC legacy

Andy Burnham's proposals to place technical and academic education on equal footing in England have drawn cross-party support. The plans, which draw inspiration from the coalition government's University Technical Colleges and former education secretary Kenneth Baker's vision, would require schools to adapt teaching to meet local business needs.

Policy Jul 29, 2026

What Nurseries Must Know About Notifying Ofsted of Inspections

Early years providers must understand their specific obligations regarding Ofsted notifications to remain compliant with regulatory requirements. This guidance from Jayne Coward, Ofsted's deputy director for early years regulatory policy, clarifies the essential steps nursery settings need to take when communicating with the inspectorate.

Social Care Jul 29, 2026

Are mock inspections worth the effort? Sector experts debate their value

A panel of children's services experts examines whether mock inspections genuinely drive improvement or create unnecessary burden for management teams preparing for regulatory scrutiny.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Satirical look at Andy Burnham’s youth employment and skills agenda

This cartoon by Ella Baron provides commentary on Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s proposals to transform pathways from education into employment. The illustration touches on tensions between higher education, vocational training, and the practical realities facing young people entering the labour market.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Tackling NEET Rates: Supporting Young People into Education and Employment

The government is renewing efforts to reduce the number of young people classified as NEET—those Not in Education, Employment or Training. Ministers are prioritising action to ensure local services can identify at-risk individuals early and provide pathways back into learning or work.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Burnham Bounce: New PM Focuses on Localised Education and Youth Employment

Labour has overtaken Reform UK in the polls for the first time since March last year, following Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister. In his first fortnight in office, Burnham has announced major initiatives to localise education provision and tackle youth unemployment, alongside cost of living measures. A significant announcement on social care reform is also anticipated in the coming days.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Young people expected to engage with new work support as McFadden announces apprenticeship benefits protection

The Work and Pensions Secretary has confirmed that young people will be expected to engage with new employment support initiatives, alongside funding to prevent families losing benefits when teenagers begin apprenticeships. The measures aim to smooth transitions from education into work while ensuring participation remains central to accessing provision.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Can Manchester's Baccalaureate model transform technical education nationwide?

The Prime Minister is reportedly considering adopting Greater Manchester's technical education framework, known as the Manchester Baccalaureate, as a national model. This ambitious vocational pathway aims to reform post-16 provision and equip young people with skills for local employment markets.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Early years sector urges government heatwave safety funding

The Early Years Alliance is calling on the Government to provide targeted support for nurseries and childminders to operate safely during extreme heat. Leaders are requesting dedicated funding for air conditioning units and assurances that settings will not be penalised for closing during dangerous temperatures.

Policy Jul 28, 2026

Children's Commissioner Backs Technical Education Reforms from Age 14

Dame Rachel de Souza has welcomed new education reforms that would see technical subjects offered to pupils from age 14, addressing concerns that too many young people find themselves neither in education, employment nor training. The Children's Commissioner emphasised the need for bold policy to respond to children's ambitions and reduce the stress associated with finding work.

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