Education catch-up commissioner quits over 'inadequate' Covid funding for schools
03 Jun Education
Education catch-up commissioner quits over 'inadequate' Covid funding for schools
Departure comes after government unveils funding package around one-tenth of recommended amount
Government not as prepared for a pandemic as it could have been, watchdog finds
19 May Education
Government not as prepared for a pandemic as it could have been, watchdog finds
Watchdog says £372bn costs to date will be increased by “medium and long-term” commitments and liabilities
Cabinet Office to review civil service’s approach to apprenticeships
05 May Education
Cabinet Office to review civil service’s approach to apprenticeships
Strategy eyes “focus on quality and rigour” that goes “beyond a numerical target”
Treasury is ‘institutionally biased’ against the young, children’s commissioner says
17 Feb Education
Treasury is ‘institutionally biased’ against the young, children’s commissioner says
Anne Longfield says processes for spending decisions “consistently discriminate” against children and parents
Most departments are failing to hit apprenticeship targets, Labour Party claims
15 Feb Education
Most departments are failing to hit apprenticeship targets, Labour Party claims
Parliamentary data shows new trainee numbers across the whole economy were down more than a quarter year-on-year between August and October
DfE 'unconcerned' about free school meal voucher scheme profit
05 Feb Education
DfE 'unconcerned' about free school meal voucher scheme profit
Department did not ask to see voucher provider Edenred's books or renegotiate contract
PM appoints ‘education recovery commissioner’ to lead pandemic catch-up
04 Feb Education
PM appoints ‘education recovery commissioner’ to lead pandemic catch-up
Kevan Collins hired to lead government work catching up on pupils’ lost learning during pandemic
Business secretary unveils plans for post-Brexit subsidy system for UK firms
03 Feb Education
Business secretary unveils plans for post-Brexit subsidy system for UK firms
Kwasi Kwarteng says local authorities, public bodies and devolved administrations will be empowered to make aid decisions by following a set of nationwide principles
DfE programme evaluating long-term outlook for online learning
02 Feb Education
DfE programme evaluating long-term outlook for online learning
Minister says pandemic has provided ‘valuable intelligence’ on the role technology can play in future
DfE laptops for home-schooling found to contain malware
26 Jan Education
DfE laptops for home-schooling found to contain malware
‘Small number’ of machines affected by what users say is a worm that contacts Russian servers
DfE has not tried to revise contract with free school meals voucher provider, perm sec says
25 Jan Education
DfE has not tried to revise contract with free school meals voucher provider, perm sec says
Officials found no “strong market alternative” to Edenred, permanent secretary says
Education secretary ‘absolutely disgusted’ by contractor’s school-meal parcel
13 Jan Education
Education secretary ‘absolutely disgusted’ by contractor’s school-meal parcel
Gavin Williamson says DfE will name and shame firms not delivering against its standards as voucher scheme is reintroduced
Ofqual chair steps down after 'difficult summer'
17 Dec 2020 Education
Ofqual chair steps down after 'difficult summer'
Roger Taylor hands in his notice, citing A-Level grades row
Susan Acland-Hood to stay on as DfE perm sec
07 Dec 2020 Education
Susan Acland-Hood to stay on as DfE perm sec
Ex-HM Courts and Tribunals Service chief brings 'a wealth of experience to the role', says cab sec Simon Case
DfE ‘doesn’t know’ if free school meals voucher company made profit
03 Dec 2020 Education
DfE ‘doesn’t know’ if free school meals voucher company made profit
NAO says contractor charged department face value for supermarket vouchers but obtained them at discount
DWP jobs boost confirmed in Spending Review
25 Nov 2020 Education
DWP jobs boost confirmed in Spending Review
Rishi Sunak provides funds to double number of work coaches in £1.4bn coronavirus support uplift
Government has ‘misread the mood of the country’ on free school meals says ex-PACAC chair
26 Oct 2020 Education
Government has ‘misread the mood of the country’ on free school meals says ex-PACAC chair
Bernard Jenkin says PM’s refusal to extend scheme had become ‘a touchstone of how little faith a lot of people now have in the government's conduct’
Officials win plaudits for statistical excellence
21 Oct 2020 Education
Officials win plaudits for statistical excellence
MHCLG, the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Ofsted and ONS teams lauded for work with data
Post-pandemic policymaking 'must go beyond following the science', professors say
02 Oct 2020 Education
Post-pandemic policymaking 'must go beyond following the science', professors say
British Academy project sets out ‘five principles to draw on "full breadth of knowledge" for policy
DfE seeks perm sec with 'political sensitivity and personal resilience' to succeed Slater
24 Sep 2020 Education
DfE seeks perm sec with 'political sensitivity and personal resilience' to succeed Slater
Up to £162,500 on offer for job vacated following a row over A-Level grades last month
Education secretary fails to back officials over A-Level grades row
17 Sep 2020 Education
Education secretary fails to back officials over A-Level grades row
Gavin Williamson would not be drawn on whether he was happy with the advice he had been given by senior DfE officials
A-Level row: 'It's unlikely we could ever have delivered this policy successfully,' Ofqual chair says
03 Sep 2020 Education
A-Level row: 'It's unlikely we could ever have delivered this policy successfully,' Ofqual chair says
Roger Taylor said it was Gavin Williamson's decision to use algorithm, but Ofqual is "ultimately responsible for the decisions that fall to us".
Officials are 'carrying the can for ministers' failure', says ex-civil service head – as unions blast Slater sacking
27 Aug 2020 Education
Officials are 'carrying the can for ministers' failure', says ex-civil service head – as unions blast Slater sacking
Boris Johnson accused of throwing civil servants "under the bus" by firing DfE perm sec
Slated for success: DfE perm sec Jonathan Slater on delivery, directions and dancing
27 Aug 2020 Education
Slated for success: DfE perm sec Jonathan Slater on delivery, directions and dancing

Moving to the education department brought Jonathan Slater back to a policy area he knows and loves. He speaks to Suzannah Brecknell about his key role in helping the frontline function