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This week's Roundup

4 changes4 actionsOfficial sources linked

Statutory & inspection
The shorter version of Part one has been removed from Annex A. All staff must now follow the same safeguarding expectations by reading the full 'Part one' of the guidance.
Member guidance
The detailed “what to do next” recommendation is available to community members.
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Who this affects
Governing bodies, proprietors, senior leadership teams, and all school and college staff (including those not working directly with children).
Official referenceUpdated 1 SeptGOV.UKKeeping Children Safe in Education
Statutory & inspection
The document clarifies the statutory responsibility of schools and colleges to keep children safe online as well as offline, linking these duties to Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). It introduces specific requirements for managing generative AI and defines the distinct roles of SLT, DSL, IT support, and governors.
Member guidance
The detailed “what to do next” recommendation is available to community members.
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Who this affects
Schools, colleges, governing bodies, proprietors, senior leadership teams (SLT), designated safeguarding leads (DSL), IT support (in-house or third-party), and governors.
Official referenceUpdated 16 SeptGOV.UKFiltering and Monitoring Core Standard
Leading the day-to-dayBy 1 September 2026
The 2019 statutory guidance has been updated and replaced by this revised version. The update removes guidance that is no longer applicable.
Member guidance
The detailed “what to do next” recommendation is available to community members.
Sign in or see membership
Who this affects
Governing bodies, trustees, proprietors, headteachers, principals, senior leadership teams, teachers, and school staff in maintained schools, academies, free schools, non-maintained special schools, and independent schools. It also applies to management committees of pupil referral units and school nurses.
Official referenceUpdated 1 SeptGOV.UKRSHE statutory guidance
Leading the day-to-dayBy 01 September 2026
New versions of the EYFS statutory frameworks have been published. The specific requirements for providers remain unchanged from the July 2026 information versions.
Member guidance
The detailed “what to do next” recommendation is available to community members.
Sign in or see membership
Who this affects
Early years providers, including childminders and group/school-based providers.
Official referenceUpdated 1 SeptGOV.UKEarly Years Foundation Stage framework

Act on this

The time-bound actions and consultations that need attention first.

RespondShaping the future of early years teachingby 24 Sept
RespondIncreasing the retention period for adoption recordsby 25 Sept
RespondTeachers’ Pension Scheme regulations: 2027 proposed amendmentsby 30 Oct

Reference libraryAll 54 statutory documents we watchView all

Education inspection frameworkUpdated to include inspection of education, skills and work activities in prisons and young offender institutions.
Updated18 Sept 2026
Academy Trust HandbookWe have updated the Academy Trust Handbook 2026 to clarify procurement requirements for energy and management information systems (MIS) in paragraphs 2.29 and 2.30 and reflected this in the ‘What has changed’ section.
Updated17 Sept 2026
Filtering and Monitoring Core StandardAdded information about schools' and colleges' statutory responsibility to keep children and young people safe online.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: The document clarifies the statutory responsibility of schools and colleges to keep children safe online as well as offline, linking these duties to Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). It introduces specific requirements for managing generative AI and defines the distinct roles of SLT, DSL, IT support, and governors.
Who's affected: Schools, colleges, governing bodies, proprietors, senior leadership teams (SLT), designated safeguarding leads (DSL), IT support (in-house or third-party), and governors.
Action needed: Available to community members.
Updated16 Sept 2026
Cyber Security Core StandardAdded information about schools' and colleges' statutory responsibility to keep children and young people safe online.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: A link to the Department for Education Cyber Security Hub has been added to the document to provide schools with additional information and resources for protection against cyber attacks.
Who's affected: All schools and colleges, specifically the senior leadership team (SLT) digital lead, IT support, data protection officers (DPO), headteachers/principals, and governing bodies or boards of trustees.
Action needed: Available to community members.
Deadline: 2030
Updated16 Sept 2026
Digital and Technology StandardsFiltering and monitoring: core standard - Added information about schools' and colleges' statutory responsibility to keep children and young people safe online.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: A link to the Department for Education Cyber Security Hub has been added to the cyber security core standard.
Who's affected: All schools and colleges, specifically those responsible for digital leadership and governance.
Action needed: Available to community members.
Deadline: 2030
Updated16 Sept 2026
Free school meals — guidance for schoolsUpdated the guidance document to add information about the one-off extension until 2 November 2026 for completing free school meals eligibility checks for the autumn 2026 school census. Added a link to the funding arrangements for school-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: A template letter has been added to the guidance to assist schools in communicating changes to free school meal eligibility criteria to parents.
Who's affected: School leaders, school staff, and governing bodies in local-authority-maintained schools, academies, free schools, and non-maintained special schools, as well as local authorities.
Action needed: Available to community members.
Updated16 Sept 2026
School Food StandardsUpdated to reflect that new school food standards will be implemented from 2027.
Updated14 Sept 2026
Keeping Children Safe in EducationThe September 2026 versions of 'Keeping children safe in education', 'Keeping children safe in education: part one' and 'Keeping children safe in education: part one – overview for all staff' are now in force, replacing previous versions. We have removed 'Regulated activity in relation to children: scope' pending an update.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: The shorter version of Part one has been removed from Annex A. All staff must now follow the same safeguarding expectations by reading the full 'Part one' of the guidance.
Who's affected: Governing bodies, proprietors, senior leadership teams, and all school and college staff (including those not working directly with children).
Action needed: Available to community members.
Updated1 Sept 2026
RSHE statutory guidanceThis revised statutory guidance came into effect on 1 September 2026. We have removed guidance that no longer applies.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: The 2019 statutory guidance has been updated and replaced by this revised version. The update removes guidance that is no longer applicable.
Who's affected: Governing bodies, trustees, proprietors, headteachers, principals, senior leadership teams, teachers, and school staff in maintained schools, academies, free schools, non-maintained special schools, and independent schools. It also applies to management committees of pupil referral units and school nurses.
Action needed: Available to community members.
Deadline: 1 September 2026
Updated1 Sept 2026
Early Years Foundation Stage frameworkNew versions of the frameworks have come into force. They were first published for information in July 2026. The requirements for providers have not changed since then.
What changed? AI summary · confirm against source
What changed: New versions of the EYFS statutory frameworks have been published. The specific requirements for providers remain unchanged from the July 2026 information versions.
Who's affected: Early years providers, including childminders and group/school-based providers.
Action needed: Available to community members.
Deadline: 01 September 2026
Updated1 Sept 2026
School inspection toolkit and operating guides
28 Aug 2026
Pupil premium — overview and current rates
24 Aug 2026
Suspensions & permanent exclusions
26 Jul 2026
Data Protection in Schools
9 Jul 2026
School uniform guidance
6 Jul 2026
Mobile phones in schools
29 Jun 2026
Careers guidance for schools
23 Jun 2026
Early Career Teacher Induction
9 Jun 2026
Academies Accounts Direction
25 Mar 2026
Working Together to Safeguard Children
18 Mar 2026
Understanding Ofsted report cards and grades
5 Feb 2026
Generative AI: Product Safety Standards
19 Jan 2026
Use of reasonable force / restrictive interventions
18 Dec 2025
Schools Financial Value Standard
16 Dec 2025
Children Missing Education
8 Sept 2025
Generative AI in Education
12 Aug 2025
School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document
18 Jul 2025
Managing Asbestos in Your School
11 Mar 2025
Alternative provision
5 Feb 2025
SEND Code of Practice
12 Sept 2024
Mandatory qualification for SENCOs
12 Sept 2024
Elective Home Education
19 Aug 2024
Prevent duty guidance
6 Mar 2024
Behaviour in schools
19 Feb 2024
The Reading Framework
22 Sept 2023
Searching, screening and confiscation
19 Jul 2023
School Admission Appeals Code
20 Jan 2023
Teaching online safety in schools
12 Jan 2023
Working together to improve attendanceGOV.UK has withdrawn this guidance (20 Sept 2022). It is listed for reference only — do not act on it without checking the current guidance.
4 Aug 2022
Health and Safety in Schools
5 Apr 2022
School Admissions Code
11 Mar 2022
Teachers' Standards
13 Dec 2021
Sexual Violence and Harassment Between ChildrenGOV.UK has withdrawn this guidance (1 Sept 2022). It is listed for reference only — do not act on it without checking the current guidance.
1 Sept 2021
School Complaints Procedures
15 Jan 2021
Governance GuideGOV.UK has withdrawn this guidance (7 Mar 2024). It is listed for reference only — do not act on it without checking the current guidance.
8 Oct 2020
Teacher Misconduct Procedures
20 May 2020
Mental health and behaviour in schools
12 Nov 2018
Equality Act 2010: advice for schools
28 Jun 2018
Charging for school activities
15 May 2018
Designated Teacher for Looked-After Children
26 Feb 2018
Supporting pupils with medical conditions
16 Aug 2017
School Premises Standards
9 Mar 2015
National Curriculum in England
2 Dec 2014
Promoting Fundamental British Values
27 Nov 2014

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Additional referencesOfficial bulletins, Ofsted, research bodies and ParliamentBrowse sources

Official bulletins

DfE, Ofqual & regulatorsGOV.UK

Key stage 4 performance, 202618 Sept 2026
Secondary school performance data in England: 202618 Sept 2026
Destinations of key stage 4 (KS4) and 16 to 19 (KS5) students: 202518 Sept 2026
Destinations of key stage 4 (KS4) and 16 to 19 (KS5) students: 202618 Sept 2026
Vocational and other qualifications quarterly: April to June 202617 Sept 2026

Ofsted news

OfstedOfsted on GOV.UK

Education inspection framework (EIF)18 Sept 2026
Ofsted16 Sept 2026
Ofsted workforce management information: 202617 Sept 2026
Register a supported accommodation service: guidance for applicants17 Sept 2026

Research & sector bodies

TRA · Chartered College · Sutton Trust

Professional Learning Quality LeadChartered College · 18 Sept 2026
Elite Group Education LtdChartered College · 11 Jun 2026
BeReadyChartered College · 7 Apr 2026
Research BoxChartered College · 4 Mar 2026
Two practical ways the Sutton Trust can support school leaders with attainment and post-18 progression this SeptemberSutton Trust · 10 Sept 2026

Parliament — Education Committee

Publications & reportsAll publications

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