DfE ‘lack of engagement’ with outdoor space inquiry criticised But top civil servant says department ‘does not hold formal joint responsibility for the policy areas in the inquiry’
Teachers’ pensions: Emergency fund needed to cover grant shortfall Union leaders write to ministers after warnings that schools face funding shortfalls ‘of £70,000 or more’
Catholic school caught up in row over abolition of 50% cap Education secretary criticised for launching faith reforms at school with fewer pupils on free school meals
Alternative provision: Let disrupted pupils repeat year 11, says de Souza DfE should also fund ‘graduated stepdown programme of support for all year 11 leavers’
Revealed: Secret deal to let benefit fraud squad snoop on pupil data Leaders warn the move may lead to parents ‘withdrawing their children from schools’
Unregistered AP clampdown: Everything you need to know Time limits on placements, new national standards and a council-run quality-assurance process proposed by the DfE
Revealed: Locations of 16 new special schools and trusts to run 7 more It follows the announcement of £105m capital cash at the spring budget
DfE plans ‘national standards’ for unregistered AP Ministers say unregistered provision should be ‘an intervention, not a destination’
SEND: Some safety valve councils have ‘removed’ deficits – DfE boss Permanent secretary says government is ‘seeing some really good progress from councils’