The Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual have initiated parallel consultations on new post-16 vocational and technical qualifications, which are scheduled to be taught from September 2027. The DfE consultation invites feedback on the proposed subject content for level 2 foundation certificates, occupational certificates and level 3 V levels. Subjects under consideration include digital systems and data, education and early years, culinary skills, hospitality as well as accounting and finance. The final subject content will be published in July 2026. Meanwhile, Ofqual's consultation outlines a proposed regulatory framework that covers the conditions, requirements and guidance for these qualifications. This framework encompasses V levels, foundation certificates, occupational certificates, and the retaking of Core Exams in Technical Qualifications within T levels. Additionally, the Ofqual consultation addresses on-screen assessment regulations and includes draft conditions presented across multiple annexes. Both consultations are targeted at awarding organisations, educational institutions, employers and their representative bodies. DfE's consultation will close on 4 June 2026 while Ofqual's consultation will close on 2 July 2026.

The Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted have both responded to the coroner’s regulation 28 prevention of future deaths report, following the inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. In its response, the DfE has said it accepts the coroner’s findings in full. It has specifically responded to two of the matters of concern raised by the coroner, relating to the treatment of schools that perform well in all regards with the exception of safeguarding, and the expansion of wellbeing support for school leaders. In its response, Ofsted has also accepted the coroner’s findings and has addressed each of the coroner’s seven areas of concern. HM Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver has said that ‘we intend to re-evaluate our internal policies and procedures in light of these findings, so that we can identify where changes need to be made’.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced 16 new schools providing dedicated support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and seven special free schools ran by trusts in England. The Welsh government has announced £20m to improve learning for those with additional learning needs. The funding will go towards updating sensory areas, specialist classroom and outdoor spaces.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will launch an International special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Alliance in 2027 to help countries share approaches to supporting children and young people with SEND. Speaking at the Education World Forum, Phillipson called on governments to join the alliance, which will meet at major UK education events, including Bett and the Education World Forum. The announcement came on the final day of the government’s consultation on SEND reforms in England, backed by £4 billion in funding, which aim to improve early support for children in local schools and reduce delays in accessing help. The government says the planned Education for All Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, would introduce a legal duty to provide an Individual Support Plan for every child and young person with SEND by 2029, alongside National Inclusion Standards. The reforms would also change Education, Health and Care Plan processes, introduce Specialist Provision Packages and increase oversight of independent special schools. The DfE says the reforms would include transitional protections, including a ‘triple lock’ intended to ensure children do not lose effective support during the transition to the new system.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced comprehensive reforms to special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision and school governance structures through Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's speech on the schools white paper delivered on 23 February 2026. The reforms establish new statutory rights for children with SEND to be included in local mainstream schools with equivalent standards and expectations as other pupils. The government will invest billions of pounds to adapt mainstream school infrastructure, classrooms and teacher training to accommodate SEND pupils. The support framework will comprise universal provision, targeted Individual Support Plans, collaborative school groups for greater needs, and specialist provision where required, while Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be retained for the most complex cases under nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages. Additionally, £200m will be invested in Best Start Family Hubs to provide dedicated SEND practitioners. All schools will be required to join or form high-quality school trusts, including those operated by local authorities. The DfE has launched a consultation on these proposals and will publish quarterly progress updates from mid-2025.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that the UK and EU have reached an agreement for the UK to associate with the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. Erasmus+ provides grant funding for international placements and partnership projects across education, training, youth and sport. The programme aims to support learners and staff to improve education outcomes, gain work experience, and develop skills through study, training and volunteering opportunities abroad. A UK National Agency is expected to be appointed to deliver Erasmus+ and to launch a dedicated website by summer 2026.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a call for evidence about safeguarding children in schools and colleges. The DfE are seeking views from schools, colleges and other professions on safeguarding practice development and direction for the keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2025 guidance. The call for evidence closes on 20 June 2024.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced an open call for evidence on non-medical support for disabled students. The call for evidence asks for information that will assist the government to improve the manner in which non-medical help, funded through Disabled Students' Allowance, could be delivered to disabled students in higher education. The call for evidence closes 3 July 2024.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that there will be a change to the maximum Plan 2, Plan 5 and Postgraduate (PG) student loan interest rate which will be 7.6% in January 2024.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a policy paper outlining changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) contribution structure from 1 April 2025. The changes aim to increase the current 9.45% yield to the required 9.6% by raising contribution rates by 0.3 percentage points for members earning above £34,873. The lowest tier rate remains unchanged at 7.4%. The amendments, which will affect approximately 390,000 members, were agreed following consultation with the TPS Advisory Board and key stakeholders. The changes will be implemented through the Teachers' Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on religious designation reforms for new special academies and new and existing free schools in England. The DfE seeks view on proposals for policy reforms, which include removal of the 50% cap on faith admissions, and enabling new and existing special academies with a recognised faith ethos, to apply to be designated as having a religious character. These two proposals follow the government’s success in raising school standards and mean that high performing faith schools will be able to create more school places and multi-academy trusts. The consultation closes on 20 June 2024.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced an 8-week consultation proposing mandatory digital standards for all schools and colleges by 2030. The consultation covers six core technical requirements including broadband connectivity, cyber security and digital governance. The consultation will run from 21 March to 25 May 2025. Alongside this, the DfE announced £45m in funding, with £25m allocated for wireless network upgrades and £20m for fibre infrastructure improvements across 833 schools.