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Children's News Feed

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

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Policy 1 month ago

DfE Acts on Data Showing 55% Birthday Absence Spike in Schools

New Department for Education analysis reveals pupils are up to 55% more likely to miss school on their birthday, prompting fresh guidance for schools. The recommendations include introducing 'under the weather' absence forms and birthday lunch queue passes to discourage parents from keeping children home for celebrations.

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Safeguarding 1 month ago

Ofsted to scrutinise notification patterns in early years crackdown

Sir Martyn Oliver has announced that Ofsted will intensify scrutiny of statutory notifications from early years providers, examining settings that submit either no reports or unusually high volumes. The move signals a shift toward intelligence-led regulation as the inspectorate seeks to identify potential safeguarding risks and compliance concerns through data analysis.

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Liz Kendall: Labour Will Make AI 'Work for Workers' as Youth Job Fears Mount
Policy Jun 5, 2026

Liz Kendall: Labour Will Make AI 'Work for Workers' as Youth Job Fears Mount

Liz Kendall has pledged that Labour will ensure artificial intelligence benefits workers rather than displacing them, amid growing public concern about automation's impact on employment. The Technology Secretary promised the government would actively shape AI adoption to support those whose jobs are at risk, particularly young people entering the workforce.

Teacher Numbers Fall by 1,900 in State Schools Amid Government Criticism
Schools Jun 4, 2026

Teacher Numbers Fall by 1,900 in State Schools Amid Government Criticism

New government figures reveal that teacher numbers in England's state-funded schools have dropped by approximately 1,900 over the past year. The decline has prompted accusations that the government is making a "mockery" of its commitments to education, raising serious concerns about workforce sustainability and recruitment challenges facing local authorities.

Union Calls for Smaller Class Sizes as Pupil Numbers Fall
Schools Jun 4, 2026

Union Calls for Smaller Class Sizes as Pupil Numbers Fall

Teaching unions are urging the government to prioritise reducing class sizes rather than cutting teacher recruitment, as pupil numbers continue to decline across many areas. The argument centres on using demographic shifts to improve educational standards through more personalised teaching, rather than simply reducing workforce costs.

Teacher Recruitment Hits 70% of Target but School Workforce Shrinks
Schools Jun 4, 2026

Teacher Recruitment Hits 70% of Target but School Workforce Shrinks

The Department for Education has achieved 70 per cent of its target to recruit 6,500 new teachers, yet official data reveals England's school workforce has contracted for the first time since 2019. The figures highlight persistent challenges with teacher retention that threaten to undermine recruitment gains across the sector.

Ofqual chief warns rapid action needed on smart tech exam cheating
Policy Jun 4, 2026

Ofqual chief warns rapid action needed on smart tech exam cheating

Ian Bauckham, Ofqual's chief regulator, has urged the watchdog to move 'really fast' to address the growing threat of smart technology cheating in examinations. He suggested that recently introduced school phone bans will support invigilators by making it easier to enforce examination rules and prevent malpractice.

Minister refuses to rule out school temperature limits amid rising heat concerns
Schools Jun 3, 2026

Minister refuses to rule out school temperature limits amid rising heat concerns

The government has declined to dismiss proposals for introducing maximum temperature limits in schools following record-breaking spring temperatures. Experts warn that an 'El-Nino' weather pattern is 80 per cent likely this summer, raising fresh concerns about learning environments and pupil welfare during extreme heat.