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Changes in education 2025/26

Get up to speed on the key changes to government guidance that are likely to affect your school this academic year, and find resources to help you delve a bit deeper.

Last reviewed on 1 September 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 45473
Contents
  1. Updates to the governance guides
  2. New inspection framework expected in the autumn
  3. Teachers to receive 4% increase in pay award
  4. Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and other safeguarding updates
  5. Updated relationships and sex education (RSE) guidance
  6. Updated statutory guidance on reasonable force
  7. Academy Trust Handbook (ATH) 2025 published
  8. Safeguarding changes to EYFS framework
  9. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools bill
  10. Upcoming staffing and employment changes
  11. A new schools white paper

We've summarised the major changes to statutory guidance for the 2025/26 academic year, what's likely to change and what you need to do.

Some of these changes are yet to come into force, or the full details haven't been published yet. Select 'save for later' at the top of this article to get notified when we update it with new information or resources.

Updates to the governance guides

The governance guides for maintained schools and academy trusts have been updated.

The changes are minor, and include:

  • A requirement for chairs to sign off the PE and sport premium digital report
  • Mental health and wellbeing responsibilities outlined more clearly for boards
  • More guidance on policy expectations for supporting pupils in school with medical conditions
  • Clarification on what Ofsted will do when it receives a complaint about a school
  • School food standards added to 'statutory guidance and additional resources for trusts'

Ofsted will publish the outcome of its consultation on changes to school