AI-Curated News

Children's News Feed

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

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Education 2 months ago

FE achievements fall as skills bootcamps boom, Skills England reports

New data from Skills England reveals a 7 per cent decline in Further Education achievements linked to priority jobs, whilst intensive skills bootcamps continue to expand rapidly. The findings highlight concerning mismatches in training provision that could impact local workforce development and post-16 skills strategies.

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Family Support & Early Help 2 months ago

Merseyside Borough Bucks National Trend with Early Intervention to Prevent Youth Unemployment

A Merseyside local authority is reversing the UK's rising youth unemployment trend through personalised early intervention programmes targeting under-16s at risk of becoming NEET. By identifying vulnerable pupils before they leave compulsory education and providing tailored support, the council is successfully preventing disengagement and keeping young people connected to positive futures.

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Policy 2 months ago

DfE unable to demonstrate skills impact of £270m Multiply numeracy programme

A government evaluation of the £270m Multiply programme has found that while the scheme successfully reduced numeracy anxiety among adult learners, it was unable to measure whether participants actually improved their maths skills. The findings raise questions about the Department for Education's ability to demonstrate value for money in its adult skills initiatives.

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Children's Commissioner Backs Milburn Review on Youth Employment
Policy May 28, 2026

Children's Commissioner Backs Milburn Review on Youth Employment

Dame Rachel de Souza has welcomed the Milburn review into young people and work, emphasising that young people's ambition for meaningful employment must be at the heart of policy discussions. The Commissioner highlighted how thousands of children have expressed their desire to secure good jobs and contribute to the economy. The review represents an important opportunity to reshape how we support young people's transitions from education into the workplace.

Tees Valley cancels skills tender following legal challenge
Policy May 28, 2026

Tees Valley cancels skills tender following legal challenge

A major skills procurement process in Tees Valley has been halted after legal proceedings were brought against the tender. The cancellation raises immediate questions about procurement compliance and the future of local skills provision in the region.

David Hughes: Colleges can reduce NEET rates with proper funding and early intervention
Policy May 28, 2026

David Hughes: Colleges can reduce NEET rates with proper funding and early intervention

David Hughes argues that further education colleges are uniquely positioned to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training, yet systemic barriers including restrictive funding rules and poor local coordination limit their impact. The article highlights the urgent need for earlier intervention and greater collaboration between colleges, local authorities and employers to prevent vulnerable learners from disengaging entirely.

Milburn Review: Schools Failing to Prepare Young People for Adulthood and Employment
Policy May 28, 2026

Milburn Review: Schools Failing to Prepare Young People for Adulthood and Employment

A damning government review led by former minister Alan Milburn has found that England’s education system is failing to adequately prepare young people for adulthood, with urgent calls for schools to be held accountable for pupil destinations. The report highlights the growing crisis of young people classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), warning that current accountability measures neglect the crucial transition from classroom to career.

Milburn review: Pay colleges for outcomes not headcounts
Policy May 28, 2026

Milburn review: Pay colleges for outcomes not headcounts

An interim review led by Alan Milburn has recommended overhauling how further education colleges are funded, shifting from payments based on enrolment and course completion to rewarding institutions that successfully help young people secure employment. The findings highlight concerns that the current post-16 system prioritises headcounts over meaningful preparation for the workforce, particularly for those at risk of becoming NEET.

NEET numbers could hit 1.25 million within five years, landmark review warns
Policy May 27, 2026

NEET numbers could hit 1.25 million within five years, landmark review warns

An independent review led by Alan Milburn warns that the number of young people not in education, employment or training could rise to 1.25 million within five years without urgent reforms. The findings call for fundamental changes across education, health and employment systems to prevent a generation of young people facing long-term economic exclusion.

New Chief Executive Appointed to Lead Windsor Forest Colleges Group
Education May 26, 2026

New Chief Executive Appointed to Lead Windsor Forest Colleges Group

Oliver Symons will take the helm at Windsor Forest Colleges Group this autumn, joining from Moulton College where he previously served in a senior leadership role. The appointment comes at a pivotal time for further education as colleges continue adapting to skills policy reforms and local labour market demands.