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Children's News Feed

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

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Education 1 month ago

Alternative provision expanded despite quality concerns

The government has widened its register of approved alternative provision unit providers even as inspections reveal significant quality concerns within the sector. This tension between increasing capacity and maintaining standards comes amid rising demand for placements outside mainstream education.

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Education 1 month ago

West of England Mayor announces new 'West Bacc' qualification

The Labour Mayor for the West of England has unveiled plans for a new 'West Bacc' qualification designed to equip young people with the skills and credentials local employers demand. The initiative aims to strengthen post-16 education pathways and boost regional economic prospects by ensuring training aligns with local labour market needs.

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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.

Number of teachers in England’s state schools drops for second year in row
Education Jun 4, 2026

Number of teachers in England’s state schools drops for second year in row

Despite Labour’s promises to increase recruitment, school census shows a fall of nearly 2,000 teachers since last yearThe number of teachers working in England’s state schools has shrunk for the second year in a row, even as the government said it was meeting its promises to increase recruitment whe...

Guest Blog: Ensuring ‘Every Moment Matters’ for babies, children and young people with life-threatening and life-shortening conditions, and their families – Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice  
Social Care Jun 4, 2026

Guest Blog: Ensuring ‘Every Moment Matters’ for babies, children and young people with life-threatening and life-shortening conditions, and their families – Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice  

Today’s guest blog comes from Sophie Andrews OBE, the CEO of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. Sophie has worked in the charity sector for 30 years and has operated in both National Chair and CEO roles. She was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list. She is a publis...

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.

University's axing of black studies MA threatens inclusion agenda, warns leading academic
Inclusion Jun 4, 2026

University's axing of black studies MA threatens inclusion agenda, warns leading academic

A prominent US civil rights scholar has warned that Birmingham City University's decision to close its black studies MA programme echoes attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion seen in the United States. Kimberlé Crenshaw has urged the university to reverse its decision, expressing profound concern about the implications for educational diversity.