Very pleased to see the DfE adopt our measure of the disadvantage gap. Calculating it each year, for each phase, is a labour of love but it has been game-changing in improving focus and understanding of the gap.

In sunny Bournemouth to speak on a @nasuwt-official.bsky.social panel on education funding. @edupolicyinst.bsky.social events kick off from 11.30 tomorrow!

And so it begins. We're kicking off the 2025 Party Conference this weekend at #LDConf in Bournemouth. I'm doing a panel on Sunday with @nasuwt-official.bsky.social. We've then got a great line up of EPI events with our partners on Monday. Join us if you can!

I love this article. We're all wobbly sometimes schoolsweek.co.uk/how-can-main...

The @edupolicyinst.bsky.social was up bright and early today to bring you everything you need to know about Level 3 results day today 👇

The Education Policy Institute’s Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the Government's spending review. Read the full statement: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

EPI's Director for SEND and Additional Needs @johutchinson.bsky.social gave evidence to the Education Select Committee inquiry “Solving the SEND Crisis” this morning. Watch the full session: committees.parliament.uk/work/8684/so...

The EPI's director of SEND Jo Hutchinson said we are having problems with inclusion in mainstream and this is seen through high and increasing numbers of pupils having unexplained school moves or exits from the school system and attendance problems driving wider disadvantage gaps.

🔊Comment: EPI's CEO @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the 2025/26 teachers' pay award.

Thoughtful piece here by Diana Sutton on the importance of ESOL funding and provision, in the wake of Labour's immigration plans feweek.co.uk/why-labours-...

ICYMI last week, we published a thoughtful analysis on the gender gap and why we need to be worried about both boys AND girls. As ever, it poses a number of questions we need t explore around safety and belonging.

And this report from @ippr.bsky.social and @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social sets out recommendations for improving and scaling professional development.

Our latest report highlights the stark and growing gaps in the experience, expertise and stability of teaching between disadvantaged and more affluent schools. In order to make progress in closing the gap, govt needs to turbo charge financial incentives & access to professional development.

The Perera / Laws era has come to an end after nearly a decade at EPI and over 13 years in total. But we are extremely privileged and excited to have Professor Sir Chris Husbands as our new Chair!

And, 5 years on from lockdown, @mrjpandrews.bsky.social speaks to More or Less about the impact on learning and inequalities.

Our Chief Executive, @natalieperera.bsky.social speaks on BBC Breakfast today about findings from our latest report on the disadvantage gap, highlighting that absence is a leading cause of the performance gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

Today, @edupolicyinst.bsky.social published a groundbreaking report on the impact of school absences on the disadvantage gap. I was pleased to talk to the Today Programme about some of these issues and challenges.

So excited to share the cover of my talented cousin's new children's book - out on 5th June and absolutely stunning. 🤩🤩

I'm at #ASCL2025 where @tomrees.bsky.social cites @edupolicyinst.bsky.social research on the variation of SEND identification as he sets out the challenges facing the SEND system

Happy International Women's Day, especially to the amazing team of women in @edupolicyinst.bsky.social. Thank you for your passion and your power 🤩🤩

Lovely to be in Durham today, partnering with Durham University and the North East Combined Authority to talk about how we can better understand and tackle regional educational inequalities. And the sun has come out!

We're recruiting! A great opportunity to work in our lovely charity, helping with our events and fundraising efforts, as well as with my diary!

🗣️Comment: Latest Ofsted inspections and report card proposals Our Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the latest announcements.

For anyone looking for education policy people on Bluesky (and if you're missing let me know!) go.bsky.app/PHBkF8y

While early intervention is key, there also needs to be a safety net for older children, we agree that the govt should extend the Pupil Premium to 16-19 year olds epi.org.uk/publications...

My take on Labour's 2025 education priorities here schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-must-...

I got a little kitty but he's in hiding under my bookcase. A toy, a ball and dreamies have all failed to lure him out. What next?? Just wait??

Played it so cool today when we spotted Idris Elba on the way to the pub 😍😍. Photo courtesy of @mrjpandrews.bsky.social

However much we're worried about HE finances, further education remains a bigger concern, particularly as the sector is often educating a disproportionate number of disadvantaged students.

Our response to the PM's announcement today. Direction of travel is sensible, but a government that is this early on and with a sizeable majority can and needs to be bold. All eyes on the SR and Child Poverty Strategy next year.

If you're not already an @edupolicyinst.bsky.social organisation member, you are missing out

Sir Martyn Oliver was just a question on The Chase, so properly famous now.

Worked with Chris in DfE private office days then, many years later, as Perm Sec he personally made sure I was able to go on secondment to a small think tank called CentreForum and the rest is history.....

Day 1 of our #EPIAdventCalendar. Since 2015, the previous government failed to protect the Pupil Premium in real terms. At a time when child poverty was rising and the gap between disadvantaged pupils started to widen. Make it make sense.....

The advent calendar you've all been waiting for ⬇️

On the train back from Birmingham and the uni student next to me is writing an essay using lots of copied text from ChatGPT 😵

In sunny but cold Birmingham today to speak at the Institute of School Business Leaders national conference.

Why do we have free meals for early primary children but not for our pre-school children? We know nutrition in early years is vital for healthy development and we know under-fives face higher risk of food poverty - my piece in @schoolsweek.bsky.social schoolsweek.co.uk/early-years-...

Really important new report here by @kerriscooper.bsky.social , shedding light on the issue of food poverty in the #EarlyYears. Food poverty is not only higher amongst the under 5s, but is also experienced at a time when nutrition is most important for development.

I love this. So characteristically classy 💅🏽

Things that are certain in life: death, taxes, and me crying at the final of #GBBO

Did you know Schools Week has launched a special podcast series? You can catch up on episodes here, featuring Bridget Phillipson, @carter59.bsky.social, Justine Greening, Nick Gibb, @natalieperera.bsky.social, @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social, Mary Bousted, and more!

Me. I am some people.

2024. Shocking and shameful.

Apparently starter packs are A Thing, so here is one for our team at @edupolicyinst.bsky.social

I'm really proud that we in @edupolicyinst.bsky.social are incubating CES's work in the next couple of years. It's a fantastic core team of @samfr.bsky.social @loicmnzs.bsky.social and Lucy Crehan. Also a milestone for EPI in its first incubation - it's still a baby to me!

2nd major report is on access and outcomes for students taking T Levels. Incredibly timely for @beckyfrancis.bsky.social's curriculum and assessment review. Makes a strong case for ensuring that we get technical and vocational routes right given they disproportionately impact disadvantaged students

While I was away last week, the excellent @edupolicyinst.bsky.social published two major reports. First @mrjpandrews.bsky.social's report recommends targeting extra funding to persistently disadvantaged pupils. Thread below but bottom line is that we need to do more for children in deep poverty.

Pleased to see lots of new followers and old friends on here. I'll get back to edu and policy content when I'm back from holiday next week but, in the meantime, here are some cats of Marrakesh. Apparently I'm not allowed to bring them all home with me.

And so conference season begins. We're in Brighton, where I'm speaking on a @nasuwt.bsky.social panel tomorrow and then we're running 4 @edupolicyinst.bsky.social events on Monday. Come and say hi if you're around!