Policy Watch

Education’s always changing, and it can be hard to keep track. Policy Watch is the easy way to make sure you stay up to date with the latest developments.

Keep up with what’s happening in education policy

Policy Watch is our regular policy update service, covering national and international developments in the world of education. We try to keep things simple, sharing the latest news and information with you through weekly updates, monthly summaries, papers and events.

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The latest from Policy Watch

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  • Highlights of the week ending 26 November

    This week saw the DfE announce universities will be required to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children in their local schools and colleges, while also taking steps to widen access and setting targets to support HE students throughout their time at university. Michelle Donelan set out the new plans in a speech, which she said form part of the Government’s ambitions for levelling-up. The OfS announced John Blake as the new director for fair access and participation.

  • Highlights of the week ending 19 November

    This week Nadhim Zahawi announced, during the Second Reading of the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, that the Government’s level 3 reform timetable would be extended by a year, meaning no funding will be removed from qualifications overlapping with T Levels until 2024 at the earliest. Though this was welcomed, many also felt the extension did not go far enough. During the debate many MPs spoke in favour of retaining high quality Applied General and BTEC qualifications. The Secretary of State also announced relaxations relating to English and maths exist requirements for T Levels, in order to encourage more students to take the new qualifications.

  • Highlights of the week ending 12 November

    The big news this week has been Ofqual’s publication of the contingency plans for 2022 exams. Following consultation, the regulator has outlined a number of its decisions which includes the potential for three assessment periods for centres should Teacher Assessed Grades be required again. For the most part processes will match those of 2021.

  • Highlights of the week ending 5 November

    Education has featured prominently in this week’s parliamentary business. The new ministerial team at DfE faced MPs at education questions for the first time. Topics covered included the level 3 review, the National Tutoring Programme and when the response to Augar will be published.