Don’t let your energy contracts expire, DfE warns schools Buying energy out of contract will be ‘more expensive’, leaders told
DfE starts secret talks on future of National Tutoring Programme Officials hold ‘market warming’ discussions with would-be bidders about next year of flagship catch-up initiative
Eton commits £1m annual top-up for ‘elite’ sixth forms Private school plans to plow an extra £2k per pupil into new institutions, declaring state funding is inadequate
Persistently absent pupils to be mentored under £5m trial DfE seeks organisation to mentor pupils in disadvantaged areas as persistent absence remains high
MPs want more transparency over academy trust bailouts Influential committee chair warns of ‘unacceptable’ lack of accountability’
Free school meals permanently extended to pupils with ‘no recourse to public funds’ Children of families subject to immigration control were temporarily given access to free meals in April 2020
270 million in-person school days missed due to Covid last year Absences rose more than five-fold in first full year of the pandemic
Spring statement: Chancellor will review apprenticeship levy But announcement contains no extra help for schools with rising energy bills
DfE won’t say when KS1 SATs will be scrapped Doubts cast on plans to make tests non-statutory from next year after government pencils-in dates for 2024