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Policy 4 weeks ago

UK Government Axes £45m Overseas Higher Education Programme for Women and Girls

The Strengthening Higher Education for Female Empowerment (SHEFE) programme, which aimed to support one million women and girls across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, has been cancelled just two years after its launch. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has withdrawn the tender for the scheme amid wider aid budget cuts, ending the initiative designed to improve access to higher education for female students worldwide.

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British Teens in EU to Lose Home Fee Status and Student Finance for UK Universities
Policy Jul 4, 2026

British Teens in EU to Lose Home Fee Status and Student Finance for UK Universities

British teenagers living in the European Union currently qualify for home fee status and student loans when applying to UK universities, but this will end in 2028 when the Brexit grace period closes. Those starting their A-levels this autumn will be the first cohort affected, potentially facing international tuition fees of up to £40,000 per year without access to government student finance.

Rural exodus: Why thousands of Kenyan primary schools face closure
Schools Jul 4, 2026

Rural exodus: Why thousands of Kenyan primary schools face closure

Over 2,000 primary schools in rural Kenya are facing closure as enrolment numbers collapse, with some institutions reportedly housing more livestock than pupils. The crisis highlights the profound impact of demographic shifts and urban migration on educational provision in remote areas.

Early Years Voice Urges CMA to 'Finish the Job' on Funding Investigation
Policy Jul 3, 2026

Early Years Voice Urges CMA to 'Finish the Job' on Funding Investigation

Ian Morgan, chair of Early Years Voice, is urging the early years sector to engage with the Competition and Markets Authority's review, warning that without a full market investigation, recommendations on Government funding risk being shelved. The campaign group argues that only a thorough investigation will deliver meaningful change for childcare providers.

Charity urges tech giants to remove 'suitable for babies' ratings for under-twos
Safeguarding Jul 3, 2026

Charity urges tech giants to remove 'suitable for babies' ratings for under-twos

A leading early childhood charity has called on major technology companies to stop labelling digital content as appropriate for babies under two years old. The organisation, focused on the critical first 1001 days of life, argues that screen-based content is not suitable for infants and wants companies to update their age-rating systems to reflect developmental guidance.

Work experience access 'deeply unequal' despite cutting NEET risk by 80%
Inclusion Jul 3, 2026

Work experience access 'deeply unequal' despite cutting NEET risk by 80%

New research reveals that work experience can reduce a young person's risk of becoming NEET by 80 per cent, yet access to these crucial opportunities remains heavily dependent on parental networks and social capital. The findings highlight a significant barrier to social mobility, with disadvantaged young people less likely to secure placements that could transform their employment prospects.

How school governance has evolved over two decades
Schools Jul 2, 2026

How school governance has evolved over two decades

School governance has undergone profound transformation since the mid-2000s, shifting from traditional local authority oversight to complex multi-academy trust structures. This evolution reflects wider education reforms, changing accountability frameworks, and new expectations for strategic leadership in our schools.

DfE Recruits School Leaders to Support ‘Mission’ Areas
Schools Jul 2, 2026

DfE Recruits School Leaders to Support ‘Mission’ Areas

The Department for Education is seeking experienced school leaders to work in designated ‘mission’ areas as part of its ongoing efforts to drive educational improvement in underperforming regions. The initiative aims to deploy expertise where it is most needed to raise standards and support struggling schools.

Councils Prepare for the Stark Reality of Falling School Rolls
Schools Jul 2, 2026

Councils Prepare for the Stark Reality of Falling School Rolls

Local authorities across England are confronting significant declines in pupil numbers as demographic shifts create excess capacity in the school system. This trend threatens to strain budgets and force difficult decisions about consolidation while councils work to maintain educational standards.

Championing Returners: Supporting Mums Back into Employment Through FE
Family Support & Early Help Jul 2, 2026

Championing Returners: Supporting Mums Back into Employment Through FE

This article examines innovative further education initiatives designed to support mothers returning to the workforce. It highlights how targeted skills programmes and flexible training pathways can remove barriers for parents seeking to re-enter employment after caring responsibilities.