Education Policy Institute

A graphic featuring a black and white photo of Dr. Kerris Cooper, Senior Researcher, Early Years and Inequalities at the Education Policy Institute. Next to her photo is a quote that reads: “Efforts to tackle the disadvantage gap in education will only be successful within a wider effort to address the causes and effects of poverty. It is extremely positive that the Child Poverty Strategy recognises and begins to tackle the appalling numbers of children living in insecure temporary accommodation. Along with the lifting of the two-child limit, this directly addresses some of the unacceptable conditions children have experienced over the past decade.” A footer encourages viewers to read the full response on epi.org.uk.

"Efforts to tackle the disadvantage gap in education will only be successful within a wider effort to address the causes and effects of poverty."

Read EPI's response to the Government's Child Poverty Strategy: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

New from EPI: a summary paper on EdTech decision-making and inclusive practice. Drawing on roundtables with policymakers, education leaders, and MAT representatives, this paper offers a synthesis of expert insights on navigating the complex EdTech landscape.

Full paper: epi.org.uk/publications...

Teachers fear raid on school budgets to fund special needs reform Union threatens strike action and says that any fall in school spending would have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on pupils

"Raiding mainstream funding creates a twofold risk: it undermines the capacity to deliver the very inclusion reforms the government wants while simultaneously compromising current provision."

EPI comment on the Budget & SEND reform and funding in @thetimes.com

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

The World Tonight - Government backtracks on day-one unfair dismissal right - BBC Sounds Government U-turns on manifesto promise to give workers immediate unfair dismissal right

What does the Budget mean for SEND funding and provision?

EPI's Chief Executive Natalie Perera spoke to The World Tonight about SEND reform and why expecting costs to be absorbed by existing school budgets is unrealistic.

🎧 Listen back (35:20): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Warning of £20bn timebomb as Reeves switches Send funding in England to education department Councils welcome move but OBR says it is a significant fiscal risk and could lead to 4.9% real fall in spending per pupil

Read EPI's response to the Budget in the Guardian today: www.theguardian.com/education/20...

"While there is a clear and imminent need to address the rising costs of SEND provision, the Government must not cut school funding to meet these pressures."

Read EPI's response to the Budget 2025: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

EPI is searching for our next CEO 📣

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for education and social justice? Help EPI make the case for better outcomes by continuing to deliver world-class research and influence policy at the highest levels.

Find out more: epi.org.uk/jobs/chief-e...

New EPI analysis, part of a @nuffieldfoundation.org funded project, tracks student progress from school to the workplace. We found that GCSE attainment casts a long shadow, entrenching the earnings gap for disadvantaged pupils from the age of 16.

Read the full analysis: epi.org.uk/publications...

Looking for your first start in think tanks? @edupolicyinst.bsky.social are recruiting a Executive & Events Officer to join their comms, partnerships and events team! If you fancy broadening your skills, supporting policy events and having real impact - apply here:

bit.ly/484sfWw

A social media graphic announcing the departure of Natalie Perera from the Education Policy Institute. The graphic is split, with a black and white photo of Natalie Perera on the left. On the right, a teal background features a quote: "Establishing and leading the Education Policy Institute over the past decade has been an immense privilege. With a talented and passionate team, we have built an organisation that drives evidence, speaks truth to power and, most importantly, puts children and young people front and centre of our mission. The time feels right for me to step away, knowing that EPI will continue to flourish." The quote is attributed to "Natalie Perera, Chief Executive." At the bottom are the Education Policy Institute logo and a dark blue banner with a QR code and the text "Read the announcement on epi.org.uk".

EPI's Chief Executive, @natalieperera.bsky.social, will step down at the end of January after a decade at the helm. We are deeply grateful for her outstanding leadership and wish her the very best in her new role at @aqaeducation.bsky.social

Read the announcement: epi.org.uk/comments/nat...

'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.

Children Missing from Education - Education Policy Institute A new report by the Education Policy Institute finds that up to 300,000 children may be missing from education entirely. By comparing GP registrations with school registrations and data on pupils in r...

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...

A decade of degree apprenticeships - Education Policy Institute Ten years on from their launch, degree apprenticeships are delivering impressive outcomes for many young people, but they’re still not living up to their potential as a tool for social mobility.  Our ...

"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...

Youth degree apprenticeships: An alternative to university? - Education Policy Institute “Youth degree apprenticeships: An alternative to university?”, funded by AL Elevation, examines access, participation, and outcomes for young people aged 18–24 on level 6 degree apprenticeship courses...

To deliver on the potential of degree apprenticeships, we need a sharper focus on widening participation & supporting employers in low-completion sectors. Targeted outreach & funding incentives could help more disadvantaged young people access these pathways. 

Read more: epi.org.uk/publications...

Exploratory analysis of the early labour market outcomes of degree apprentices appears positive. One year after completing their course, the average young degree apprentice earned around double the salary of the average graduate (£36,785 vs £18,555) in the latest available data (2020-21).

The average degree apprentice was also a relatively high attainer during their time at school. Our analysis shows that degree apprentices have consistently had higher average attainment at GCSE than the UG cohort (where entry requirements have a wide variation across provider and course type).

Since their introduction, degree apprenticeships have grown rapidly, especially among 19–24-year-olds. But only around one in ten degree apprentices come from disadvantaged backgrounds; a lower share than among students at Russell Group universities.

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...

It's great to see the Government adopt EPI's 'months of learning' disadvantage gap measure for the first time in its CAR response. It's a key recognition of a measure that is intuitive, clear, and having a real impact across education, media, and policy.

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...

V levels can streamline, but beware a re-badging exercise The vision for a simpler skills system is welcome, but deep-rooted issues need addressing

"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...

Read the full report here: epi.org.uk/publications...

Remove the ‘before and after lunch’ eligibility criteria for children in the pre-school stage, which complicates registration processes and creates unnecessary barriers for families and providers.