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Children's News Feed

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

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Schools 1 week ago

School Nurseries 'Far More Likely' Than Private Providers to Receive Ofsted 'Needs Attention' Grade

An investigation by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has revealed that school-based early years provision is receiving Ofsted's 'needs attention' rating at significantly higher rates than private, voluntary and independent settings. The findings raise urgent questions about inspection consistency and the distinct challenges facing maintained nursery schools.

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Schools 2 weeks ago

Bereaved pupils need sustained support, not just crisis intervention

Children who have experienced bereavement require consistent, long-term support within educational settings rather than episodic crisis interventions. This approach recognises that grief is a progressive journey that significantly impacts attendance, attainment and wellbeing. Without continuity of care, vulnerable pupils risk falling through gaps in provision and escalating to statutory services.

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Birmingham pupils champion sustainable travel to transform the school run
Schools Jun 4, 2026

Birmingham pupils champion sustainable travel to transform the school run

Pupils across Birmingham are leading initiatives to change how families travel to school, helping to reduce car dependency and promote walking, cycling and public transport. Their efforts are demonstrating how children can drive meaningful behaviour change in their communities whilst tackling congestion and air quality concerns around school gates.

Teach First retains £89m teacher training contract over Serco bid
Schools Jun 4, 2026

Teach First retains £89m teacher training contract over Serco bid

Teach First has successfully defended its £89 million teacher recruitment contract against competition from outsourcing giant Serco. The decision ensures continuity in the programme placing high-achieving graduates into challenging schools, maintaining the charity's role over privatised provision.

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.

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.

Wearable Tech and AI Threaten Exam Integrity, Ofqual Warns
Schools Jun 4, 2026

Wearable Tech and AI Threaten Exam Integrity, Ofqual Warns

The head of England’s qualifications watchdog has warned that wearable devices such as smartglasses and invisible earpieces could magnify cheating in GCSE and A-level exams. Ian Bauckham also revealed that coursework is being scrutinised for AI use, with teachers reporting difficulties detecting machine-generated content.

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.

Education Secretary urges primary schools to join free breakfast club scheme
Schools Jun 3, 2026

Education Secretary urges primary schools to join free breakfast club scheme

The Education Secretary is urging all primary schools to participate in the Government's free breakfast club programme, which has now provided 10 million meals to over 300,000 children. The scheme currently operates across 1,250 clubs and aims to support families while improving pupil attendance and readiness to learn.

Safeguarding Alert: Reviewing Photography Policies After AI Image Blackmail Threats
Safeguarding Jun 1, 2026

Safeguarding Alert: Reviewing Photography Policies After AI Image Blackmail Threats

Schools have faced blackmail attempts by criminals using AI-doctored images of pupils, prompting serious concerns about digital safeguarding. Early years settings are now urgently reviewing photography policies and consent procedures to protect children from image-based exploitation and strengthen preventative measures.

DfE guidance: Schools may use AI for SEND support plans but not EHCPs
SEND May 28, 2026

DfE guidance: Schools may use AI for SEND support plans but not EHCPs

New Department for Education guidance suggests schools can use artificial intelligence to draft non-statutory SEND support plans, but warns against using the technology for statutory Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). School leaders are urged to exercise caution regarding pupil data protection when implementing AI tools.

Waltham Forest Teacher Strikes Close Schools and Divide Parents
Schools May 28, 2026

Waltham Forest Teacher Strikes Close Schools and Divide Parents

Industrial action by National Education Union members has closed primary schools across Waltham Forest, including South Grove Primary, leaving parents divided over the disruption to their children's education. The strikes reflect ongoing disputes over pay and conditions, with further action planned across the east London borough.