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Children's News Feed

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

Education Secretary Questioned by MPs on SEND Reforms and Teacher Recruitment

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is appearing before the House of Commons Education Select Committee to answer questions on the SEND system, teacher recruitment challenges, and proposed curriculum reforms. The session provides crucial insights for local government cabinet members on upcoming national policy direction and priorities.

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Policy Jun 17, 2026

Proposed GCSE requirement for student loans threatens university access and finances

Proposals to require GCSE passes for student loan eligibility could exclude approximately 30,000 prospective students annually whilst costing English universities at least £200 million per year. The policy threatens to undermine access to higher education for disadvantaged learners whilst exacerbating the financial instability already facing institutions.

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Schools Jun 16, 2026

Schools' pension contributions 'very likely' to reduce following scheme revaluation

Jacqui Smith has indicated that employer contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme are likely to see a "considerable reduction" following a revaluation. The move could provide significant relief to school budgets currently facing severe financial pressures.

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SEND 1 month ago

Education Secretary Questioned by MPs on SEND Reforms and Teacher Recruitment

Read Summary

Policy 1 month ago

Proposed GCSE requirement for student loans threatens university access and finances

Read Summary

Schools 1 month ago

Schools' pension contributions 'very likely' to reduce following scheme revaluation

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Safeguarding Jun 15, 2026

Under-16s to Be Banned from Social Media Platforms from 2027

The Prime Minister has announced that children under the age of 16 will be prohibited from accessing social media sites including Instagram, YouTube and TikTok from early 2027. The new measures will affect millions of young people and represent a significant shift in the approach to online child protection and digital safeguarding.

Safeguarding Jun 15, 2026

Landmark Social Media Ban for Under-16s Announced as 'Defining Moment' for Child Safety

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has announced plans to ban social media access for under-16s, describing the move as a pivotal step in protecting children from online harms. The proposed legislation, revealed in the House of Commons, aims to safeguard young people from exploitation and harmful content.

Safeguarding Jun 15, 2026

Social media ban for under-16s: A 'defining moment' for child safeguarding

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has announced plans to ban social media access for under-16s, describing the move as a 'defining moment for our children'. The proposed legislation, outlined in the Commons, aims to protect young people from online harms and marks a significant shift in digital safeguarding policy.

Policy Jun 15, 2026

College free meals rate equalised with schools after sector campaign

Further education colleges will receive a 5p increase in free meals funding, ending a disparity that left them with lower reimbursement rates than schools. The government decision follows sustained pressure from sector leaders who argued the previous policy disadvantaged post-16 students from low-income households.

Schools Jun 15, 2026

DfE Publishes New Enrichment Benchmarks: What Schools Need to Know

The Department for Education has released its long-awaited enrichment framework, establishing new benchmarks to help schools evaluate their extracurricular and cultural provision. The guidance aims to standardise expectations around pupil enrichment activities, ensuring all children access a broad range of experiences beyond the academic curriculum. Lead Members should note the implications for school standards and future inspection frameworks.

Policy Jun 15, 2026

Farage proposes political oversight to curb diversity programmes in FE colleges

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced intentions to appoint political monitors within further education colleges to restrict the promotion of diversity initiatives. The proposals would mark a significant intervention in FE sector governance, raising questions about institutional autonomy and the future of equality programmes in vocational education.

Schools Jun 15, 2026

Farage proposes 'political enforcers' to block diversity initiatives in schools

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged to appoint politically aligned monitors to prevent schools and colleges from promoting diversity and inclusion programmes, drawing sharp criticism from education leaders who described the proposals as 'ridiculous' and 'chilling' for institutional autonomy.

Safeguarding Jun 15, 2026

Prime Minister announces social media ban for children under 16

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the Government will prohibit social media access for children aged under 16, with measures expected to take effect later this year. The policy represents a significant intervention in digital safeguarding aimed at protecting young people from online harms.

Schools Jun 15, 2026

School Governor Food Standards Oversight Risks Governance Confusion

Consultation respondents have warned that proposals requiring school governors to oversee food standards risk conflating strategic governance with operational management. The concerns highlight potential confusion over roles and responsibilities within school leadership structures.

Policy Jun 13, 2026

DfE to publish college enrichment framework following curriculum review

The Department for Education is set to release new enrichment goals for colleges this week, following a curriculum and assessment review that highlighted inconsistent quality across the sector. The framework aims to standardise expectations and improve the student experience in further education.

Schools Jun 13, 2026

DfE to publish new enrichment benchmarks for schools

The Department for Education is preparing to introduce new enrichment benchmarks aimed at broadening the educational offer in schools. However, school leaders have raised immediate concerns regarding capacity and resources to meet these aspirational standards.

Safeguarding Jun 13, 2026

Extending Online Safety Protections Beyond Social Media for All Children

The Children's Commissioner for England has urged the government to implement comprehensive online safety measures that protect children across all digital services, not solely social media platforms. This call emphasises banning harmful features and functionalities that pose risks to children online, extending protections currently considered for under-16s.

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