Ambition in the schools white paper is clear, but its success will depend on the detail still to come and on support that extends beyond schools themselves. Delivering change will require coordinated action across services.
Read EPI’s response to the white paper: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...
“Without substantial increases in the number of funded training places each year, there will not be enough educational psychologists available to staff these services.”
In the Guardian today, @jojohutchinson.bsky.social comments on the govt's SEND reform plans ahead of the schools white paper.
@edupolicyinst.bsky.social has appointed a new chief executive, who will take over at the think tank in May
18.02.2026 11:05 — 👍 6 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
EPI is pleased to announce the appointment of @juliemcculloch.bsky.social as its new Chief Executive. Julie will take up the role at the beginning of May.
epi.org.uk/comments/jul...
EPI’s analysis and expertise fed into an important report from the @senedd.wales Children, Young People & Education Committee on teacher recruitment and retention.
It underscores the need to match teachers’ dedication with a system that fully supports them: business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHisto...
"If we build it – a stronger team around the child that doesn’t require an EHCP – they will come, and EHCPs will gradually revert to being a less frequently required backstop."
Read @jojohutchinson.bsky.social on SEND reform and the schools white paper: epi.org.uk/publications...
A split-screen graphic. On the left, a photo of a child wearing an orange backpack pressing the button at a pedestrian crossing. On the right, text on a light blue background reads: 'Comment: Securing real SEND progress in the Schools White Paper' by Jo Hutchinson. A banner at the bottom says 'Read the comment piece on epi.org.uk' next to a QR code.
With the schools white paper imminent, EPI’s @jojohutchinson.bsky.social lays out the case for an approach that balances fiscal reality with strategic vision - prioritising visible improvements to the experience of children and their families.
Full comment piece here: epi.org.uk/publications...
How are MATs using AI across teaching, learning, and administration?
Our latest report - supported by @nuffieldfoundation.org - finds that limited evidence on AI’s impact leaves multi‑academy trusts navigating a “wild west” market.
Read the full report: epi.org.uk/publications...
"We need to ensure children with SEND and mental health difficulties feel they belong in the mainstream system, while also securing adequate specialist places for those with the most complex needs."
EPI's @jojohutchinson.bsky.social spoke to Sky about the concerning rise in elective home education.
Insightful reporting from @jabedahmed.bsky.social w/ commentary from EPI's @jzuccollo.bsky.social:
"Teacher salaries are remarkably uniform across most of England, whereas housing costs are anything but. The current pay structure doesn’t capture the reality and disparity of local housing markets."
New exploratory analysis examined behaviour policies from 45 state schools across three London boroughs.
We found that written policies vary in ways that align, to an extent, with outcomes linked to pupil wellbeing.
Read the full analysis: epi.org.uk/publications...
- Is our curriculum unusually overloaded?
- What does a supportive accountability system look like?
- Does anyone get better bang for their buck out of their SEND system?
...now, thanks to @nuffieldfoundation.org's support, there's somewhere you can go to get the answers. www.ces.partners
What does the reliance on private providers in early education and care mean for children in England?
Dr Tammy Campbell analyses the latest DfE statistics to ask if this shift is desirable for public spending and children's experiences.
Read the full blog: epi.org.uk/publications...
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...
"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/...
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/...
Read EPI's response to the Budget in the Guardian today: www.theguardian.com/education/20...
27.11.2025 11:30 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
"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.
13.11.2025 14:48 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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...
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).
12.11.2025 09:59 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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).
12.11.2025 09:59 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
