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13 April 2026

Tag: DfE

Government trebles fund to help schools tackle homophobic bullying

Government funding to help train teachers how to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying has been trebled to nearly £3 million. Nicky Morgan, the former education secretary, originally announced in March that only £1 million was available to spend on HBT projects over the next three years, half of what was spent in 2014. […]

Schools minister Nick Gibb stays in Department for Education role

Nick Gibb appears to have held on to his schools minister role, with prime minister Theresa May confirming this morning he will remain a minister of state under the Department for Education (DfE). Although unconfirmed, Gibb is likely to keep his schools brief. He is joined in the department by Robert Halfon who is likely […]

High court backs government in landmark free school site ruling

A high court judge has ruled in favour of the government in a landmark planning battle over a free school site, fuelling claims that councils can now be “ignored” over where new schools are located. Greg Clark (pictured above), the former secretary of state for communities and local government, earlier this year granted Khalsa Secondary […]

Year 6 pupils will not have to take times tables tests next summer

Primary schools will not be expected to adminster times tables tests for year 6 pupils next summer, despite an expectation that the tests would be introduced in May. The Department for Education (DfE) sent an email to schools yesterday, not long after Justine Greening was announced as the education secretary, to “reconfirm” there would be […]

Department for Education takes on skills and universities in expanded remit

The Department for Education will take on responsibility for higher education and skills in a massive expansion of its remit, Downing Street has confirmed. The move means Justine Greening, the new education secretary, will take over a much larger department than the one run by her predecessor Nicky Morgan, when the two additional policy areas are […]

Nicky Morgan sacked as education secretary in Theresa May cabinet reshuffle

Nicky Morgan has been sacked from the Department for Education after two years as its secretary of state. She tweeted this morning: “Disappointed not to be continuing as Education Secretary and Minister for Women & Equalities – two wonderful roles it’s been a privilege to hold.” It is now unclear what Morgan’s next challenge will be, but for […]

Absence fine refunds should be refused, schools minister tells local councils

Councils should not refund parents fined for taking their children out of school, the schools minister has said, after a surge in requests following a landmark court case. Nick Gibb has written to local authorities to say that the government expects refund requests, made after a High Court ruling in favour of a father who took his […]

Ebacc is to blame for the decline of D&T

The numbers of teachers of creative subjects are declining, while design and technology is in its death throes. Ross McGill knows who to blame The Department for Education (DfE) forces teachers to work like Mr Benn, the cartoon character from the 70s. Every day, he leaves his house and arrives at a fancy-dress shop where […]

The Post-16 Skills Plan: What do school leaders really need to know?

The government’s new Skills Plan describes significant changes to vocational qualifications for post-16 pupils  – but what does it mean for schools? Editor Laura McInerney explains the relevant parts.   When post-16 education changes are announced it can be difficult for schools to know which bits will affect them. Today’s announcement of a Skills Plan […]