This section features major news stories relevant to the Department.
This section features major news stories relevant to the Department.
Announcement of decision to raise the quality of residential care by working in partnership with the sector instead of reinvesting in an external contract. (7 September 2010)
Nick Gibb announces the end of the pilot scheme and thanks those involved. (7 September 2010)
The Secretary of State for Education has laid a Written Ministerial Statement informing Parliament of the progress of the first 16 Free Schools. (06 September 2010)
Gove: ‘More great heads and teachers controlling schools will bring better behaviour and teaching to thousands more children.’ (01 September 2010)
Children’s minister urges LAs to curb excessive restrictions on issues like haircuts, sleepovers and family holidays for foster children. (27 August 2010)
Nick Gibb congratulates thousands of primary school children, teachers and support staff on their hard work at Key Stage 1. (26 August 2010)
The pupil absence statistics for the spring term 2010 are published and Nick Gibb emphasises the Government’s commitment to tackling the causes of absenteeism. (26 August 2010)
Schools Minister Nick Gibb congratulates students on their GCSE and Diploma results and emphasised the Coalition Government’s commitment to closing the attainment gap. (24 August 2010)
Nick Gibb congratulated students on their A Level, AS Level and Advanced Diploma results and praised the hard work of schools and colleges. (19 August 2010)
Results of Key Stage 2 attainment test in science from sample schools published. (10 August 2010)
33 sample schools and 44 academy projects receive go-ahead for building plans. (6 August 2010)
The Chief Executive of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore, can envisage the day when there is a Premier League school for elite athletes. (4 August 2010)
Schools Minister Nick Gibb congratulates pupils on their work as results for provisional Key Stage 2 test results are published. (3 August 2010)
Dame Clare Tickell launches a call for evidence to inform the independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, with a link to the online consultation. (2 August 2010)
A statement from the Department in response to public comments regarding academies, free schools, faith schools and the curriculum. (30 July 2010)
A statement from the Department in response to public comments regarding the family justice system, Sure Start, childcare provision and the tax-benefit system. (30 July 2010)
Nick Gibb expresses concern over exclusion from schools statistics and speaks of the measures the Government is taking to address poor behaviour in schools (29 July 2010).
Tim Loughton responds to the National Audit Office (NAO) report on support provided by Cafcass for children in the family court system. (28 July 2010)
Michael Gove welcomes the publication of the SCR, confirms the right to home education and the need to learn from this tragic case (27 July 2010)
Government response to the Children, Schools and Families Committee’s NEET report, and the Committee's original report, as downloads. (26 July 2010)
Tim Loughton welcomes the Prime Minister’s launch of the National Citizen Service pilots for young people (22 July 2010).
New minister to work with DfE and BIS (22 July 2010).
Ministers confirm arrangements for the closure and decommissioning of ContactPoint (22 July 2010).
Government to remove bureaucracy surrounding children’s trusts (22 July 2010).
Nick Gibb welcomes Ofqual’s report on KS2 tests and confirms Government commitment to review National Curriculum tests. (19 July 2010)
Ministers today published the Department for Education’s (DfE) key policy commitments and invited the public to hold them to account on delivery. (13 July 2010)
Gove: No headteacher to earn more than the prime minister. (13 July 2010)
Michael Gove’s statement concerning Dr John Dunford OBE carrying out a review of the Children’s Commissioner for England. (12 July 2010)
Teather: ‘We want to make sure that the most vulnerable children get the best quality of support and care.’ (07 July 2010)
Children’s Minister calls for review of EYFS to ensure less bureaucracy and a greater focus on young children’s learning and development. (06 July 2010)
QCDA releases Key Stage 2 test results to schools that administered the tests. (06 July 2010)
Education Secretary sets out complete overhaul of capital investment in England’s schools. (05 July 2010 (Updated 12 July 2010))
End Year Flexibility Q&A includes: how the £1bn reduction will be made, why this is being done and what programmes will be affected. (05 July 2010)
Brand, website and signage details. (06 July 2010)
Letter from Michael Gove following the resignation of Kathleen Tattersall, Chair and Chief Regulator of Ofqual. (02 July 2010)
Family Justice Review Panel seeks views on how to make the family justice system work better. (02 July 2010)
New website gives public the opportunity to fight pointless regulation and unnecessary bureaucracy. (02 July 2010)
Review of social work sees launch of call for evidence which aims to find examples of good practice and how they were made possible. (01 July 2010)
Speech to Reform think tank highlights need for a curriculum focused on core knowledge and content and a reduction in bureaucracy. (01 July 2010)
Gove: ‘It is my own strong wish to establish, as soon as possible, a mutually beneficial, constructive and structured dialogue with key organisations’. (02 July 2010)
Children’s Minister Tim Loughton: ‘the system must work better so that their life chances and education do not suffer’. (28 June 2010)
Lord Hill: ‘I am delighted that so many schools have expressed an interest, and that over 900 outstanding schools are interested in becoming academies’. (25 June 2010)
The Secretary of State has made clear that initial capital to fund Free Schools will come from low-priority IT projects, and not from the free school meals programme. (25 June 2010)
Two-year pay freeze for all public sector workforces from 2011-12 but teachers’ pay uplift will be implemented from September 2010.
Commitment to make it easier to secure sites; funding for new schools; New Schools Network to be first point of contact for groups. (18 June 2010)
Education Secretary’s first speech to the National College sees him call for greater freedoms for heads and schools, improved teaching and a curriculum that compares with the best. (17 June 2010)
The Department has clarified the existing funding arrangements for home education and the provision of additional support, including college fees and GCSE courses. (17 June 2010)
Schools minister calls for the creation of excellent schools and reform of the inspection regime. (16 June 2010)
Letter from the Secretary of State for Education to local authorities outlining the Department's contribution to savings, and FAQs regarding free school meals. (16 June 2010)
Communication regarding scaling down ContactPoint operations. (16 June 2010)
DfE will ensure that all outstanding schools which apply can convert as soon as they have completed all the necessary legal steps. (14 June 2010)
Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2010: 89 people receive awards from across the Department’s spectrum of responsibilities. (14 June 2010)
Overview report and executive summaries of SCRs to be published, ContactPoint to be scrapped. (10 June 2010)
Nick Gibb: ‘Putting education in the hands of parents or professionals can raise standards in all our schools.’ (10 June 2010)
Expansion of eligibility for free school meals to end this year. (09 June 2010)
Government lifts restrictions that stopped state schools offering iGCSEs in key subjects. (07 June 2010)
Education Secretary Michael Gove writes to Ed Balls (Monday 7 June 2010) outlining budget-saving decisions.
Details of Secretary of State for Education, Ministers of State for Schools and Children and Families, as well as Parliamentary Under-Secretaries. (03 June 2010)
Education Secretary Michael Gove outlines the number of schools interested in becoming academies. (02 June 2010)
Secretary of State Michael Gove has announced to parliament today that the GTC will be scrapped. (02 June 2010)
Sarah Teather: ‘I was really impressed by Shadwell Children’s Centre where staff are working hand in hand with the local community to provide family support, health and childcare services.’ (28 May 2010)
Education Secretary writes to Chris Trinick Wednesday 26 May 2010 concerning QCDA's closure. (27 May 2010)
All primary, secondary and special schools were today invited to become academies – offering them greater independence and freedom. (26 May 2010)
Schools Minister Nick Gibb comments on data published today. (26 May 2010)
More freedoms for providers to run state schools. (26 May 2010)
£670 million of in-year savings to be found to help tackle £156 billion deficit. (24 May 2010)
Document setting out five years of partnership government. (20 May 2010)
The Department is reviewing BSF to ensure that when we build schools for the future, we do so in a more cost-effective and efficient fashion. (18 May 2010)
Michael Gove MP has been confirmed as the new Secretary of State for Education. (13 May 2010)