'Underpinning the review, as with education policy broadly, is a lack of curiosity and ownership regarding SEND, and the children these policies affect. It has fallen short in two key areas', argues @jojohutchinson.bsky.social schoolsweek.co.uk/the-curricul...

Coming up on Monday 24th November: don't forget to register for our free webinar with Caitlin Bell (Capita), Luke Sibieta (@theifs.bsky.social), and EPI's Jon Andrews to discuss strained school finances and how policy can better respond to the diverse needs of schools.

Great to see EPI's work on children missing from education recognised at the inaugural @smartthinking.bsky.social awards last night. "300,000 children are missing entirely from education" was the "killer stat of the year". Read the report: epi.org.uk/publications...

"Our findings point to a maturing system that is delivering strong outcomes for those who access it, but remains uneven in who benefits." Read EPI Senior Researcher Robbie Cruikshanks's breakdown of our new report on degree apprenticeships: epi.org.uk/publications...

EPI's latest report, "Degree Apprenticeships: An alternative to university?", funded by AL Elevation, finds that despite having high achievement rates and leading to competitive salaries, degree apprenticeships are not sufficiently inclusive.

Our Co-Director for Early Years and Wellbeing, @drtammycampbell.bsky.social, spoke to the Education Committee for the first session of its new inquiry into how the Gov't can improve support for children and families during the early years. Watch back here: committees.parliament.uk/work/9309/ea...

Want to play a key role in EPI's efforts to ensure quality education for all? EPI is looking for an Executive & Events Officer to help deliver high-profile events and provide support to our CEO, while keeping our office running smoothly and supporting wider operations. More info: epi.org.uk/jobs/

Today’s Curriculum and Assessment Review highlights mixed opinions on the Phonics Screening Check. This aligns with EPI research, which found mixed views - as well as no positive evidence that the Check's introduction improved later reading results: epi.org.uk/publications...

The Government's response to the CAR sets out a "sensible direction of travel". The focus on oracy & accountability reforms is a positive step. However, the forthcoming white paper must be even more ambitious on SEND to deliver a system that works for all. Full comment: epi.org.uk/comments/gov...

How can we best support schools that are facing ever-tightening budgets? Join EPI and Capita on Monday 24th Nov to discuss the financial challenges schools face, the role of tech, and how policy can better respond to the diverse needs of schools. More info & register: epi.org.uk/events/how-a...

"The true test for the policy will be whether this momentum can be sustained without creating more complexity." Read EPI's @robbiemaris.bsky.social take on the Post-16 education and skills white paper for @feweek.bsky.social feweek.co.uk/v-levels-can...

How does your background shape HE progression and secure job outcomes? The answer varies significantly across the four UK nations. Our new blog explores these national gaps, drawing on our @nuffieldfoundation.org funded project with @ox.ac.uk SKOPE. Read the full blog: epi.org.uk/publications...

The Government's Post-16 education & skills white paper is a step towards more flexible pathways for young people. We welcome the potential of these reforms, and continue to call for a 16-19 Student Premium to ensure young people get the support they need. Full comment: epi.org.uk/comments/com...

Free School Meals need review to better serve disadvantaged children.  The final report in our @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded project examining FSM as a measure, argues that relying on FSM as a single proxy doesn't reflect the complexity of children’s experiences. news.sky.com/story/why-th...

Rounding off today’s panels with @aqaeducation.bsky.social We're joined by @robeastaway.bsky.social, Sarah Porretta (@youngenterprise.bsky.social), Baroness Spielman, and @schwitzer.bsky.social to discuss what’s needed from the curriculum and assessment system to help every child excel in maths.

Next up with @cambridgeocr.bsky.social at #CPC25: we’re discussing the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s “evolution, not revolution” approach - and what we can learn from previous governments’ wide-ranging education reforms.

We’re underway at #CPC25 with @ascl-uk.bsky.social discussing tech and AI in the classroom with Dr Ben Spencer MP.

T-minus two hours until we kick off our events programme at #CPC25! If you’re in Manchester, join leading sector figures, MPs, and Peers as we tackle the big questions shaping education from the role of tech and AI to building on the successes of previous governments.

We round off EPI’s party conference season on Monday 6 October at Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, with a full day of events on AI and the digital divide, maths education, building on past policy successes, and shaping a national curriculum guided by young people’s voices.

Heading into the final evening of #Lab25 with a timely panel on the role of sustained intervention and early literacy support in SEND reform, with the Fischer Family Foundation

For our panel with @naht.org.uk, we’re joined by Minister for School Standards @georgiagould.bsky.social to reflect on the first year of Government, highlight where national policy needs more focus, and discuss what’s next for the opportunity mission.

Ahead of the SEND White Paper, our next panel with @bpsofficial.bsky.social asks: what role should educational psychologists play in a reformed system, and what’s needed to ensure fair access for all? Great to be joined by @helenhayes.bsky.social and Anntoinette Bramble for this discussion.

Starting our final day of events at #Lab25 with @actiontutoring.org.uk, @getfurther.bsky.social and the Tutor Trust. We’re discussing a new tutoring model to break down barriers to opportunity and support economic growth, with @richardquigley.bsky.social

For our final panel of the day at #Lab25, we’re reflecting on curriculum & assessment reform with @aqaeducation.bsky.social & @peter4bracknell.bsky.social We are discussing areas of consensus, future challenges, and the trade-offs needed to build a balanced system that works for all learners.

Heading into the afternoon at #Lab25: High-quality leadership boosts outcomes, yet headteacher retention is falling fast. With @edsupportuk.bsky.social, our panel explores how to retain great leaders, support new ones, and improve wellbeing amid rising pressures.

Packed room today for our discussion on curriculum and assessment reform with @helenhayes.bsky.social and @cambridgeocr.bsky.social

Also underway at #Lab25: our joint event with Triple P on the role of evidence-based parenting programmes in delivering support at scale, reaching hard-to-reach groups, and boosting school readiness in line with the Best Start in Life Strategy w/ @oliviabailey.bsky.social & @jessasatomp.bsky.social

It's a beautiful day in Liverpool 🌞 We’re starting Day 2 of EPI’s programme at #Lab25 with a big question: can technology solve the challenges facing education? Our panel will consider the opportunities, and the limits, of tech 🧑‍💻 In partnership with @ascl-uk.bsky.social

Next up in our #Lab25 programme: we’re exploring solutions to the teacher retention crisis and how to make UK schools an attractive workplace for a diverse and experienced workforce with @collegeofteaching.bsky.social

Packed room for our #Lab25 youth town hall with @thefea.bsky.social, @cpaguk.bsky.social, EY Foundation, @marietidball.bsky.social and @lauramcinerney.bsky.social

In Liverpool for #Lab25? We’re kicking off this afternoon with: 14:15: Youth Town Hall w/ @marietidball.bsky.social, @thefea.bsky.social, @cpaguk.bsky.social & EY Foundation. 15:45: What can we do to keep teachers in the classroom? w/ @collegeofteaching.bsky.social & @darrenpaffey.bsky.social

London’s steeper decline cannot be explained by falling birth rates alone, the Education Policy Institute said.

By 2030, England’s schools are expected to have 400,000 fewer pupils than today. Primary schools have already lost 150,000 pupils since 2019. The sharpest declines are in London - often attributed to falling birth rates. But is that the whole story? www.theguardian.com/education/20...

EPI is heading to @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Conference this weekend for three days of events on the key education challenges facing this Government, alongside leading organisations, experts, policymakers, and parliamentarians. Full programme: epi.org.uk/events/

We are pleased to share Funding Futures, a project commissioned by Collective Futures, Henry Smith Foundation and the Ethos Foundation, and delivered with EPI, Mime and Isos Partnership. It identifies the most effective ways to target early years investment and reduce local disadvantage gaps.

The Education Committee’s new report on Further Education and Skills draws heavily on EPI research with several of our recommendations adopted. Here’s how our work shaped the debate ⬇️ publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

Our final panel at #LDConf is exploring the role of state-independent partnerships in delivering teaching excellence, in partnership with the Independent Schools Council On the panel, Julie Robinson (ISC), James Toop (@teachfirst.bsky.social), Richard Jones (Bryanston School) and Callum Roberston

Second event of the day at #LDConf, looking at the role of colleges in regional skills growth in partnership with @aoc-info.bsky.social. Delighted to have @carolinevoadenmp.bsky.social, @hughesdavid.bsky.social, David Crew, Phil Sayles and @richherrett.bsky.social on the panel.

Kicking off our #LDConf programme with a packed room, looking at inclusive curriculum & assessment reform in partnership with @aqaeducation.bsky.social. Ellie Harris (@thedifferenceed.bsky.social), David Laws, Phil Sayles, @schwitzer.bsky.social & @munirawilson.bsky.social on the panel.

We’ve got a packed programme of #LDConf events today from curriculum reform and regional skills growth to state-independent partnerships and pupil wellbeing. Join us throughout the day with @aqaeducation.bsky.social, @aoc-info.bsky.social, the Independent Schools Council, and LSE ⬇️

We’re kicking off a packed day of EPI events at #LDConf @ 11:30 with @aqaeducation.bsky.social Ellie Harris (@thedifferenceed.bsky.social), David Laws, @natalieperera.bsky.social, Phil Sayles, @schwitzer.bsky.social & @munirawilson.bsky.social will discuss inclusive curriculum & assessment reform.

ICYMI: catch up on our webinar with Capita exploring how digital tools and data can drive greater inclusion for pupils with SEND - from early identification of needs to personalised learning and more equitable outcomes. Watch the full recording here: youtu.be/5PUAjqc3sBc

What is needed from a reformed curriculum and assessment system? We have published a summary paper from roundtables with @aqaeducation.bsky.social, where policymakers and education leaders considered how to deliver a rigorous, enriching education for all. Full paper: epi.org.uk/publications...

Heading to @conference.libdems.org.uk over the weekend? Join EPI on Monday 22nd September as we dig into the big questions shaping education policy. We’ll be running events throughout the day. Find out more here: epi.org.uk/events/ #LDConf

Kicking off now, our webinar exploring how technology and can improve inclusion for pupils with SEND. Opening remarks from Capita's Caitlin Bell, focusing on how to leverage tech to support inclusion, including addressing the attainment gap between SEND students and peers.

Last chance to register for our webinar with Capita, starting today at 10:30 - 'How can technology and data insights improve inclusion for pupils with SEND? Hear from @katieghose.bsky.social, @peter4bracknell.bsky.social, Bourne Education Trust & @johutchinson.bsky.social Link: shorturl.at/0VGMW

The Education Policy Institute’s Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social comments on Ofsted’s response to their new report card consultation. Read the full statement: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

Coming up next week: on Wednesday 10 September, Capita and EPI are hosting a free webinar on how digital tools and data can drive greater inclusion for pupils with SEND, from early identification of needs to personalised learning and more equitable outcomes.

How can technology and data insights improve inclusion for pupils with SEND? Join EPI and Capita on 10 September 2025 for a webinar with Katie Ghose (@kidscharity.bsky.social), Caitlin Bell (Capita), and EPI's @natalieperera.bsky.social & @jojohutchinson.bsky.social. Register: shorturl.at/0VGMW

"We do need to start looking at what's driving the decline in girls attainment before it gets too late." EPI's @natalieperera.bsky.social spoke to the BBC about the urgent need to tackle the gender gap, following this year’s Level 2 results: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...