Tag: Department for Education

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 26 September 2026.

New whole-school approach to give schools new package of support to tackle misogyny and combat influence of figures like Andrew Tate.

Children will be better protected against misogyny as the Education Secretary sets out a new plan to challenge toxic influences and tackle harmful attitudes in schools.

Schools will be supported with a practical framework to tackle misogyny with resources including practical guides, teacher training and parent support.

The new approach will help to create a culture of respect and belonging, and embed positive attitudes from classroom teaching and enrichment activities to pastoral support and interactions beyond the school gates.

It will help young people build healthy relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and develop the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex online and offline world.

The challenges children face today extend far beyond the classroom. New data shows that half (50%) of girls reported hearing misogynistic comments from other pupils during a week at school in May, while nearly a third (30%) of year 10 and 11 pupils said they had recently heard comments that made them worry about the safety of girls.

This new strategy builds on the government’s strengthened Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum now being taught in schools, improving teaching about healthy relationships, recognising harmful behaviour and navigating online risks, including deepfakes, and other harmful content.

The announcement is part of the government’s wider efforts to tackle misogyny, including the new partnership with major employers announced earlier today by the Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson.

To support teachers with the new curriculum, the government is investing £150,000 in a new RSHE expert advisory group. Bringing together expert organisations and practitioners, the group will develop new resources to support teachers delivering sensitive and complex topics confidently.

Two new programmes have also begun work this week, through the government’s £16 million Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Prevention Programme. One programme will work with secondary pupils to improve attitudes towards healthy relationships, while the other will working with boys to challenge harmful attitudes and negative online influences. These pilots will test the most effective ways to promote healthy relationships and challenge harmful attitudes before being rolled out to further schools.

The government is also working with the Youth Endowment Fund who are running a series of programmes with children aged 12 to 16 to promote respect, build resilience and provide positive role models.

Young people will also benefit from strengthened teaching on media literacy through future curriculum reforms, helping them better understand online content, challenge manipulation and think critically about what they see online.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 September 2026.

First-of-their-kind training materials published in first step towards every teacher being supported to teach children and young people with SEND.

Every single teacher in England will be empowered to better support children and young people with SEND, as government kickstarts the most comprehensive teacher training offer in a generation.

Developed by training experts Ambition Institute, and building on expertise from the sector, the first-of-their-kind free, adaptable and practical training materials for schools and post-16 settings are now available to be used in the way that works best for them, throughout the year or on existing training days.

The materials will put inclusion at the heart of every classroom and workshop, giving teachers practical techniques such as breaking instructions into digestible steps, pre-teaching specialist vocabulary, and carving out time for children and young people to practise it.

They will go hand in hand with online training for early years staff, developed and delivered by early years charity Dingley’s Promise, supporting staff to use age-appropriate inclusive practices from day one – like using visual timetables to help children with transitions between activities, or adapting environments to reduce unnecessary noise that can be a barrier to communication and emotional regulation.

The move is the first step as part of the government’s wider £200 million investment into teacher training to transform support for children and young people with SEND, ending a postcode lottery that has left too many families fighting for support.

Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould, said:

Every child and young person deserves the chance to thrive, whatever their needs, and that starts with brilliant teaching.

I’ve heard from teachers, parents and young people across the country about the need for more investment in teacher training and today we are responding to those concerns.

We are backing staff with the tools to spot and support additional needs from the earliest years, making sure all children and young people feel included.

One in three teachers in a recent survey said they want more training on supporting children with SEND. Alongside this, a quarter of surveyed teaching assistants in schools reported that a lack of sufficient training was a barrier to them effectively providing support for these pupils.

This is just start of reforms to change that, with further resources due to published in January and April next year. New fully funded training courses will then follow in September next year available to teachers, leaders and support staff across the country.

The offer fits into the government’s wider work to ensure there is a pathway for every child, no matter their background or needs. As research finds that young people with SEND are around 80 per cent more likely to be NEET, than average, it is more important than ever to deliver the right support earlier so every child is set up to achieve later in life.

Claire Heywood, Vice Principal at Kidderminster College, who provided feedback on the materials, said:

The strongest feature of these materials is that they place inclusive practice at the heart of high-quality teaching, recognising that meeting the needs of learners with SEND is an integral part of effective teaching and learning.

The attention given to vocational and technical learning, learner independence, progression and preparation for adulthood means the resources feel both evidence-informed and genuinely relevant to the further education sector.

Crucially, they provide staff with practical approaches and tools that can be readily applied in the classroom and workshops to support the success of all learners.

Hilary Spencer, Chief Executive of Ambition Institute, said:

Every child and young person deserves to feel included and able to achieve their potential. We know that educators across the country want to feel more confident and well-equipped to support children and young people with SEND.

Our aim throughout has been to create practical, adaptable materials that help teachers and support staff to respond to a wide range of needs and strengthen their inclusive teaching practice.

At Ambition Institute, our mission is to help educators serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep getting better. We hope these materials contribute to helping every child and young person thrive, whatever their starting point.

Catherine Mole, CEO of Dingley’s Promise, said:

We are delighted to have been selected to lead on this vital training programme. This programme offers early years educators the opportunity to upskill and gain more confidence to support children with SEND at no cost to themselves or the setting and shows the increasing value being placed on early years education and its impact.

This government investment is a key step towards ensuring that every child has access to the right support at the earliest point possible to give many more children the best start in life. We would encourage all early years settings to access this training and take a whole setting approach to inclusion as we know first-hand how transformational this can be”.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 13 August 2026.

T Level results grow substantially as more students achieve more A and A* grades in A Level maths.

Students across England are receiving their A Level, T Level and vocational results today.

This is a time to celebrate the results and the full breadth of ambition as they next embark on their next steps – from brilliant academic institutions to degree apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and careers in sectors the country needs the most.

In a landmark moment for technical education, over 65% more T Level students received results this year – with almost 20,000 students (up from almost 12,000 in 2025) completing them with a pass rate of over 90%.

A Level results at grades C and above showed stable improvement this year, standing at 78.1% (up 0.4 ppts on 2025), as well as the level of A or A* grades which stood at 28.3% (up 0.2 ppts on 2025).

This was a strong year for maths, as the highest ever number of students received A Level maths results today (up 3.7% on 2025) and more A and A* grades were awarded in this subject (up 0.6 ppts). This year also saw more students taking up A Level subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths (up 3.7% on 2025).

More students applying for their next steps were accepted onto a higher education course this year (up 2% on 2025) and 194,800 English 18-year-olds were accepted into their first choice of university (up 1% on 2025).

Students’ overall attainment continues to improve compared to results seen before the pandemic, with A Level C+ grades up 2.7 ppts on 2019.

More young people also took up training in construction this year through vocational technical qualifications, which rose by nearly 20% on 2025 – a strong sign that the pipeline of skilled workers is growing to help build the homes this country needs.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results today. I know there will have been a mix of excitement, nerves and relief this morning, but you should all be proud of the hard work that got you here.

It’s brilliant to see more students succeeding in T Levels, more taking maths and STEM subjects, and more young people progressing to the next stage of their education or training.

The talent is there in every town and city in this country. Our task is to match that talent with opportunity, whether that’s through university, an apprenticeship or a technical pathway that leads to a great career. That’s how we’ll build a stronger Britain, restore hope and ensure every young person can look to the future with confidence.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said:

Congratulations to everyone getting their results today. You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved and I wish you every success for the future. A big thank you to the teachers and families who have backed you every step of the way.

The rise in students receiving T-Level results this year is very encouraging, as well as so many students progressing in to higher education. There is no single route to achieving your ambitions.

That’s why we are opening doors with more high-quality opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential – whether that’s through academic study, technical education or hands-on training for skilled work. Whatever path you choose, today is the start of an exciting future.

Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

Today’s exam results are a moment to celebrate the hard work of hundreds of thousands of young people.

We wish every student the very best of luck as they consider their future plans. Whatever their next step, businesses will value their ideas, determination and potential.

Academic routes are only one part of the system. Government plans to strengthen technical and vocational education to deliver the skills firms need are welcome. We look forward to working in partnership to help ensure the system delivers for students, businesses and the economy.

Careers advice, essential employability skills and real-world learning should be embedded throughout the curriculum from an early age. This will help more young people make informed choices and support future business growth.

Jo Simovic, Senior Program Manager and Emerging Talent Programs Lead said:

Amazon is proud to support T Levels. Our students make a real difference to the business and their results show just how much they have achieved. What sets T Levels apart is simple: at the end of the placement, students understand our culture, and are fully prepared for the world of work.

We are delighted that 30 students have gone on to secure apprenticeships across the business, from Mechatronics to Cyber Security. Huge congratulations to every one of them – and to all T Level students collecting their results today. With the regional attainment gap remaining too stubbornly high, we are making sure opportunity is spread as evenly as talent across the country though our RISE teams (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence), which will put a laser focus on those areas and schools where performance is weakest. 

The education system this government inherited entrenches disadvantage – so we are doing whatever it takes to ensure every child has access to opportunity, regardless of their background. This includes expanding government funded childcare, extending free school meals, rolling our breakfast clubs and ending the two-child cap to help lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

With more than a million young people aged 16 to 24 currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) – and further growth expected by 2031 without urgent action – the government is determined to ensure the system works for every young person and not just those collecting results today.

The government has set out the most ambitious programme of youth employment reform in a generation, backed by £2.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost a million young people to earn or learn. An extra £800 million is also being invested in 16 to 19 education in 2026-27, creating thousands more places on high-quality pathways.

Plans announced by the Prime Minister are also underway to enable students aged 14 and over to combine academic subjects with technical education linked to local employers – placing vocational and academic routes on an equal footing for the first time.

This comes on top of the government’s reforms to vocational and technical education, including the introduction of V Levels and expanding T Levels, which will break down barriers to education by helping to end the snobbery around hands-on learning.

These major reforms are widening choices for young people to have successful, skilled careers, on top of today’s results opening doors to exciting routes for students across England.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 6 July 2026.

From September, 1,400 more schools get free breakfast clubs, branded uniform costs are capped, saving families up to £1,000 a year on school costs.

Families will see the cost of going to school slashed even further from September, as guidance confirming caps on branded uniforms is issued to schools and more free breakfast clubs are confirmed.

Parents at 1,400 more schools will find out if they can save up to £450 through free breakfast clubs from September, when more than 2,700 will be up and running. It means the government has smashed its target of adding 2,000 schools to the programme this year.  Over 680,000 children will attend them after the summer holidays – up from 300,000 today.

The clubs are already delivering cumulative savings of nearly £25million to families by serving up over 10 million free breakfasts and five million hours of childcare unlocked. For a family using their club every day that’s worth up to £450 and 95 hours a year, or nearly two working weeks back on the morning juggle. Children arrive more settled, fed and ready to learn from the moment the school day begins.

From September schools must comply with the new legal limits on the number of branded uniform items they can require. It means parents can buy more of the everyday basics, like trousers and shirts, from any shop or supermarket rather than one pricey supplier.

After polling found a third of parents still worry about uniform costs the government is also publishing strengthened statutory guidance today telling schools to take more steps to bring down the cost of individual items, especially for more expensive items like blazers and jumpers, in time for the 2027 school year.

Taken together, heading back to school is now set to be almost £1,000 cheaper for many families. A child could benefit from up to £450 a year through a free breakfast club and up to £500 a year through the expansion of free school meals to every household on Universal Credit – on top of cheaper uniform as the new branded-item limit bites.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

No parent should have to choose between a summer day out to the beach and kitting their child out for school. 

From September, families will feel the difference at the school gates: free breakfast clubs at 1,400 more schools, an end to expensive lists of branded uniform, and more free lunches for those who need them. 

That’s the British childhood this government believes in – and why we’ll always fight to give every child the very best start in life.

Today’s announcement builds on the biggest ever expansion of funded childcare, now saving families using their full 30 hours an average of £8,000 a year per child – with more than 548,000 codes validated by parents for the working parent entitlement in spring 2026.

Ahead of the new school year, the government is making it easier for all families to enjoy the weekend treats, days out and day trips over the summer with the government’s Great British Summer Saving scheme. From 25 June to 1 September, VAT has been cut on children’s meals in restaurants, children’s and family tickets for theatres and cinemas, and tickets for family attractions, alongside free bus travel for children aged five to 15 in England throughout August. This is part of the government’s work to ease the cost of living, including action to take £117 off household energy bills, freezing rail fares and prescription charges and increases the national minimum and living wage.

A consultation on early years funding, published today, will also set out plans to tackle the postcode lottery holding some children back.

Government is setting out proposals that will mean councils pass more funding for disadvantaged two-year-olds directly to nurseries and childminders.

Families will also feel the difference at their local Best Start Family Hub – the one-stop shops where parents can find everything from stay-and-play sessions to health visitors and parenting advice. Backed by over £900 million, more than 200 are already open, on the way to up to 1,000 by 2028.

To drive that ambition forward, the government is today launching the Best Start Improvement Coalition – bringing together business, charities and social investors to ensure every hub delivers for the families who need it most.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 2 July 2026.

Apology comes with £4 million package of support which includes easier access to adoption records.

People affected by the injustice of forced adoption have today received the formal apology they deserve, as the government acknowledged the role of the state in the appalling practice and unveiled a package of practical support worth £4 million over three years.

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, delivered the apology in Parliament as campaigners watched on, ahead of a reception for them in Westminster.

In a speech, the Prime Minister reflected on the harm caused to an estimated 185,000 mothers, adopted people and their wider families by practices that took place primarily between 1949 and 1976.

The apology recognises that many women were denied genuine choice, made to feel ashamed or unworthy, and that children were taken from their birth families, their identity and their history. Fathers and wider families were also affected, with harm lasting across lifetimes and, in some cases, generations.

The £4 million support fund will go towards helping people access their adoption records via the Coram BAAF charity, fund intermediary services like Family Connect that helps people reconnect with family members, and research and testimonial projects to document the long-term impact on people’s lives.

Speaking directly to campaigners watching from the House gallery, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said:

The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours.

And I say that on behalf of the whole country, I say it to every single person impacted, we are deeply and profoundly sorry.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

The pain carried by mothers, adopted children and their families who suffered this appalling injustice is unimaginable. They were cruelly denied irreplaceable moments, shared experiences and relationships which should have been theirs, and were made to feel ashamed.

Today, on behalf of the British state, we say with one voice: this was wrong, and we are sorry. An apology cannot undo what happened, but it can be the start of real change, alongside providing the practical action, care and support that people need.

Governments funded, enabled and relied on systems that were not consistently or effectively overseen. In some cases, records were lost, altered, or not made fully accessible to those seeking answers. The state did not do enough to protect mothers, children and families and it failed to prevent harm from continuing. It bears responsibility for the systems it funded and legitimised, which enabled these practices to take place.

The Government recognises that an apology alone is not enough. Alongside today’s statement, ministers are setting out practical steps to improve support for those affected, including:

• improving access to adoption records;
• expanding services which support family reconnection;
• working with NHS England to improve access to appropriate health support, including with mental health challenges;
• developing peer support;
• strengthening awareness across public services;
• establishing a lived experience reference group to review progress; and
• commissioning a testimonials project to capture the stories of those with experience of historical forced adoption.

To ensure that lessons are learned and continue to make improvements, the government will also work to gather data on how the support announced today is working over time, keeping the need for further research under review.

This package reflects what those affected have said matters most: being able to understand their past, access records, reconnect with family where possible and receive support that recognises what they have lived through.

The apology relates to historical adoption practices in England. Scotland and Wales have each issued their own formal apologies, which the UK Government supports, while in Northern Ireland work is underway to establish a statutory public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, led by the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government recognises that some people’s experiences extend beyond the 1949 to 1976 period, and that it is deeply upsetting to hear examples where coercive practices continued. Today’s adoption system is fundamentally different, with strong legal safeguards, clear consent requirements and independent judicial oversight.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 2 July 2026.

New data reveals 32,100 “Phantom NEETS” are being left to drift without help, with up to half of 16 and 17-year-olds unaccounted for in one area.

Thousands of vulnerable teenagers risk missing out on support because local authorities do not always have complete information about whether young people are in education, employment, or training.

Building on the Milburn Review, the government is providing additional support and tools to help councils identify those at risk earlier and intervene more effectively.

New data reported by councils reveals a stark postcode lottery in the data on youngsters who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), with 32,100 so-called “Phantom NEETS” going unaccounted for.  

Data varies across councils, with North Lincolnshire Council reporting that it is missing information for nearly half of its 16- and 17-year-olds. In comparison, four councils report knowing the whereabouts of all of them.

Overall, official statistics published in March show that an estimated 57,000 16-and 17-year-olds are NEET.

The Education Secretary is today writing to all councils setting out expectations for improving the identification and support of young people at risk of becoming NEET. A separate letter will also be sent to 26 councils facing the greatest challenges, who do not know the activities of 3% or more of their teenagers, with improvement plans agreed over the next six months supported by new tools and guidance being made available.

This includes a new Risk of NEET Indicator (RONI) tool that is being rolled out to councils. It brings together factors like poor attendance, special educational needs, and care experience to help identify young people at risk sooner. 

Meanwhile, new guidance for schools and colleges is being published today that will also help staff identify and support those most likely to drop out.  

Existing data shows that participation in education and apprenticeships ranges massively across the country, from 71.8% to 94.2%, highlighting the need for targeted support to keep kids learning. 

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

This is one of the defining challenges of this government. Fixing it is crucial to the prosperity of our country: we cannot afford to let a generation of young people drift away from opportunity and more fulfilled lives.   

Accurate, timely tracking is not a box-ticking exercise, it’s the difference between a young person getting support early or falling through the cracks entirely. While local authorities do incredibly difficult work, often against real constraints, it’s not consistent enough.

We’re supporting councils to intervene early to help, as part of our new deal for young people, to ensure they realise their potential through worthwhile training and stable careers.

As part of the government’s drive to boost youth employment, the Department for Work and Pensions has commissioned a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn to determine the barriers preventing the young from accessing work. 

To tackle the over one million young people currently NEET, the government is delivering the biggest youth employment reforms in a generation – backed by £2.5 billion – to support almost one million young people and help deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn. A new £2,000 incentive for small businesses taking on a 16-24 year old apprentice will help remove the barriers to accessing lifechanging courses. 

From the Autumn 2026, we are expanding the Jobs Guarantee to all eligible 18- to 24-year-olds who are on Universal Credit and have been looking for work for 18 months. They will benefit from 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work. Young people on the scheme will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support. The government is also piloting automatic enrolment into further education for those without a confirmed place. 

Meanwhile, reforms to vocational and technical education, including by introducing V Levels and expanding T Levels, will break down barriers to education by helping to end the snobbery around hands-on learning. 

This action forms part of the government’s wider mission to make sure every young person, regardless of where they grow up, has the chance to get on in life.   

RONI tools draw together risk factors such as poor school attendance, mental health needs, special educational needs and care experience, enabling a risk score to be assigned to individual young people and targeted support to be provided. This could be securing a college place, arranging mental health support, or organising taster sessions to draw young people back into education and training. 

For young people held back by health conditions, a further £3.5 billion is being invested by the end of the decade to help them into work. 

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 1 July 2026.

School teachers to see pay boosted over the next 2 years, as part of 17% increase since the general election, backed by significant additional investment.

School teachers and leaders will see their pay increase by 6.5% over the next 2 years, after the Education Secretary accepted the School Teachers Review Body’s pay recommendations in full today (1 July 2026).

Teachers will receive an increase of 3.5% from September 2026, followed by 3% from September 2027, delivering a cumulative 17% rise since the general election.

In further evidence of this government’s continued investment in public services, additional funding of £1.8 billion will be provided to schools over 2 years, supporting pay rises for hard working teachers and support staff.

Schools, like the rest of the public sector, will need to continue to play their part and will be expected to find the first 1% of each pay award through continued efforts to maximise value from their budgets.

An additional £485 million will be provided to colleges and other further education providers over 2 years so they can continue to recruit and retain more excellent teachers and deliver high quality vocational, academic and technical courses.

To ensure taxpayers’ money is being invested where it is needed most, the government will also put curbs on academy trust executive pay.

From September, trusts will need to seek government approval before advertising roles over £174,000, bringing the sector in line with other public sector workforces including the NHS and colleges. Annual increases for executives will also be brought in line with the wider school workforce, meaning executives will not be able to receive pay rises higher than those set for classroom teachers.

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said:

Our brilliant school and college teachers go above and beyond every day, and I’m determined that dedication is not just recognised, but rewarded.

This multi-year deal, backed by significant additional investment, shows the immense value we place in our teachers, while giving schools and colleges certainty over pay and their budgets.

It’s also right that classroom teachers are not seeing executive pay rise faster than their own – or set at excessive levels in the first place – so tighter controls will mean unjustifiable exec salaries become a thing of the past, helping level the playing field for school staff and drive every pound towards classrooms.

The announcement today means school teachers will see an increase in their pay of 17% since this government took power – equating to almost £7,900 over 4 years – with the average school teacher salary rising to over £52,800 from September 2026 and over £54,400 from September 2027.

It builds on significantly improved recruitment and retention figures, with over 4,500 more teachers in secondary schools, special schools and colleges since 2024 reaching over 70% of the government’s commitment to recruit 6,500 new teachers with three years to go.

And beyond those figures, fewer schoolteachers are leaving the profession and there has been a 13% rise in the number of people choosing to train to teach this year – a post-pandemic record – signalling a strong pipeline for the future.

The government’s Maximising value for pupils programme will play a vital role in supporting schools to get the best value from their budgets, by offering better deals on areas like energy, recruitment, and banking. Schools across the country are already reaping the rewards, including – Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust – which increased its annual interest income from £16,000 to over £1.1 million by reviewing its banking arrangements.

The government’s work to tackle child poverty, in particular lifting the 2-child benefit limit, is also widely recognised as supporting teachers and easing pressure on school finances, with schools increasingly going above and beyond to support young people in their day-to-day lives over the past decade. Over 1.5 million children in Great Britain will benefit from the removal of the 2-child limit, and 450,000 children will be lifted out of poverty.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 June 2026.

Graduates earn on average around £100,000 more over their lifetime than non-graduate counterparts, but returns vary by degree subject.

Students’ choice of degree subject has a hugely significant impact on their lifetime earnings, according to new research from the IFS.

Graduates earn on average around £100,000 more over their lifetime than someone of the same background and attainment who did not attend university, even after taxes and student loan repayments. 

But the returns vary sharply by subject. Medicine and economics are the highest-earning degrees, and offer up to £400,000 in increased salary over a graduate’s lifetime, while other subjects can offer little to negative financial return, compared to what someone similar without a degree earns.   

The government has this week outlined plans to draw up options for legislation to limit the growth of some courses at some providers, where there are consistently poor returns for students. 

Drastic action to tackle poor-quality degrees and crackdown on the rapid expansion of franchised, and often poor-quality, provision is also ensuring the system prioritises student outcomes over volume or profits. 

A new consultation in the Autumn will look at options for a minimum English language requirement for prospective under-grads to access student finance, to ensure students taking on debt to earn a degree are equipped to succeed in their studies. 

Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith said:

Going to university and getting a degree is one of the most transformational things a young person can do. But it is not a universal guarantee of success and not all degrees are equal. 

As well as the variation by subject, too many franchised and poor-quality courses do not offer a good deal to young people – selling the dream then leaving students in the lurch.

We’re making the system work better but my message to those thinking about university: choose carefully. Don’t walk into a degree by default.

The data also comes as the government publishes its Pathways to Priority Occupations measure, highlighting that medicine, nursing, architecture and computing are among the top degree subjects to access jobs in the priority sectors in the UK’s Industrial Strategy, Construction, and Health and Social Care.

Collectively an estimated 1.8 million additional skilled workers will be needed in these sectors by 2035.

This measure provides a crucial first step in helping us identify which subjects will be eligible as part of our new targeted maintenance grant offer. It will be used alongside other data and stakeholder feedback to best assess how to target this funding for students in Academic Year 2028 to 2029.

The government is also working closely with UCAS to ensure earnings and employment outcomes from different courses are clear and accessible to prospective under-grads.

The government is also ensuring university is not the only choice for young people to succeed, with a record £3.3bn investment in apprenticeships this year, to help deliver the ambition of 50,000 more apprenticeship starts for young people by 2029.

This will start to reverse nearly half of the 40% decline in 16–24 apprenticeship starts over the past decade which has left young people locked out of the first rung on the career ladder.

This also builds on wider action through the government’s Youth Guarantee which will ensure every young person has the opportunity to earn and learn. This includes financial incentives for businesses to hire young people who have been out of work, providing guaranteed subsidised jobs — helping deliver up to 500,000 opportunities.

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 24 June 2026.

Government launches first of its kind guidance on creating dedicated teaching and support spaces for children with SEND.

Children and young people with SEND across the country will be able to attend their local school, early years and college and know they belong there, as the government delivers a first of its kind package of advice to guarantee inclusion for all.

For years families have faced a postcode lottery that has left hundreds of thousands fighting for the right support, travelling miles to access it or waiting months or years to receive it.

Today, the government is taking an important step to end this lottery through clear expectations on how settings can design their SEND provision so children and young people can thrive.

For the first time, new guidance sets out what families can expect to see on the ground, building on the commitment that every secondary school will, in time, have an inclusion base – a dedicated space providing targeted teaching and specialist support those who need it.

Inclusion bases will be run by a qualified teacher, never used as a sanction, and allow access to an adapted, broad, ambitious curriculum to meet the needs of every child, serving as a bridge to school life rather than a barrier to it.

That means more time for children in mainstream classes alongside their friends and will put a stop to inconsistent and patchy provision where children feel excluded from the wider school – being left out of lessons, trips or activities.

The bases go hand in hand with an overhaul on physical spaces including classrooms, with landmark guidance for schools, early years and post-16, setting out a roadmap for how settings can adapt buildings that are shaped around the real experience of a child or young person with SEND.

Whether that’s starting their day through an alternative entrance or taking time out in a calmer space, every child will be able to navigate the day with confidence.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

Every child and young person deserves to feel included, without fighting for the support they need to succeed.

We are giving schools a clear, practical blueprint to become truly inclusive, from calmer classrooms and sensory-friendly spaces, to specialist support embedded right in the heart of the school, so children can learn alongside their peers rather than miles from home.

Every child deserves to attend a school where they belong, where the environment works for them, and where the right support is simply part of the school day. That’s what we’re building.

The results where high-quality inclusion bases already exist are striking. Eight in ten parents (80%) who want their child to attend a base report a positive experience, and nationwide they are delivering strong outcomes.

In Sheffield, autistic pupils access up to 100% of mainstream lessons with tailored support and every single pupil from the base has entered education, employment or training after leaving, in Nottinghamshire 80% of pupils accessing a base achieve strong passes in GCSE Maths and English and in Oxfordshire, pupils who previously struggled to attend school at all are now averaging 93% attendance.

To make sure the whole site meets the needs of children, the Inclusive Estates guidance suggests tools for understanding the daily experience of a child or young person with SEND, such as structured walkthroughs or “Day in the Life” approaches to identify challenges in navigating the physical space.

It will include tangible improvements including adapting acoustics and light, introducing quiet and calm spaces like sensory gardens or installing ramps or handrails.