8 November 2026 · Plans announced, not yet in force
8 November 2026 · Plans announced, not yet in force
Will pupils in England start GCSE courses later? The Department for Education wants schools to keep Years 7 to 9, known as Key Stage 3, broad and varied. Under the plans, schools would avoid starting GCSE courses early for large groups of pupils or routinely asking children to narrow their subject choices before Year 10.
The idea is to give children more time to explore subjects such as drama, music and languages while building confidence in speaking, reading and maths.
Teachers would still be able to offer more challenging work to pupils who are ready for it without narrowing their choices.
What does this mean for your family? There’s nothing you need to do now. This is an announcement about what the revised National Curriculum will say, not a new rule for schools.
If you home educate in England, you still don’t have to follow the National Curriculum.
Previous Updates
1
UK research · Report updated 29 October 2026
In the National Literacy Trust’s UK survey, 36.1% of 8- to 18-year-olds said they enjoyed reading in their free time, up from 32.7% in 2025. It’s an encouraging rise after several years of decline, although that’s still only a little over one in three.
What might this mean at home? If your child rarely picks up a book, try starting with something they already enjoy. A football match report, a comic, or a few pages of a story you read together can all be ways into reading. It doesn’t have to feel like a lesson.
2
13 October 2026 · Statutory guidance
The Department for Education published ten standards for services that help children and young people have their views heard. They’re aimed at advocacy providers and local authorities and sit alongside guidance for looked-after children, children in need and care leavers. This update is about how those advocacy services are provided; it doesn’t create a new right to an advocate for every child with SEND.
3
24 September 2026 · Training materials
The Department for Education published practical training materials for teachers and teaching assistants in mainstream primary and secondary schools. The examples show how staff can adapt classroom teaching to help more children take part and make progress. These are training resources, not a change to SEND or EHCP rights.
📖 Education Terms Explained (EHCP, SEND, CNIS, etc.)
Independent Advocacy
Helping a child or young person be heard
What is it?
An independent advocate supports a child or young person to understand decisions, express their views and have their rights considered.
Why might it matter?
Some children need additional support to take part in meetings or decisions affecting their education and care. Eligibility depends on their circumstances and the relevant advocacy arrangements.
👉 In simple terms: Someone independent who helps your child’s views and rights be heard.
EOTAS
Education Otherwise Than At School
What is it?
EOTAS is an arrangement for some children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) when it would be inappropriate for their special educational provision to be provided in a school or other educational setting.
Their education may instead be arranged in other ways to meet the provision set out in their EHCP.
EOTAS is not the same as elective home education (EHE). With EHE, parents choose to take responsibility for their child's education. With EOTAS, the local authority remains responsible for arranging the special educational provision specified in the child's EHCP.
👉 In simple terms: Education outside school because it has been formally agreed as the right provision.
AP
Alternative Provision
What is it?
Alternative Provision is education provided outside a child's usual school setting when mainstream education is not suitable for them at that time.
Why might it matter?
It may be used for children who have been excluded, are unable to attend school because of illness, or need a different type of educational setting or support.
👉 In simple terms: Education provided somewhere different when the usual school setting is not appropriate.
SAO
School Attendance Order
What is it?
A School Attendance Order is a legal order requiring a parent to ensure that their child is registered at the school named in the order.
Why might it matter?
A local authority can use the School Attendance Order process in certain circumstances when it is not satisfied that a child of compulsory school age is receiving a suitable education outside school. There are formal steps before an order is issued.
👉 In simple terms: A legal process that can result in a child being required to register at a named school.
EHCP
Education, Health and Care Plan
What is it?
An EHCP is a legal document that sets out the education, health and social care support a child or young person may need if they have significant additional needs.
Why might it matter?
An EHCP helps make sure schools, colleges and other services understand the support your child is entitled to receive.
👉 In simple terms: Think of it as a personalised support plan that helps different professionals work together.
SEND
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
What is it?
SEND is a broad term used to describe children and young people who need additional support because of learning differences, disabilities or medical needs.
Why might it matter?
Every child is different. Some children need only small adjustments, while others need more specialised support.
👉 In simple terms: It simply means a child may learn differently or need extra help.
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
What is it?
The SENCO is the teacher in a school who oversees support for pupils with additional needs.
Why might it matter?
If your child attends school and has SEND, the SENCO is often the first person parents speak to about support.
👉 In simple terms: They're the person who helps organise additional support in school.
EHE
Elective Home Education
What is it?
Elective Home Education means parents have chosen to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school.
Why might it matter?
Home education is a lawful choice in England. Parents have flexibility in how they educate their children, provided they receive a suitable education.
👉 In simple terms: Learning at home by choice.
CNIS
Children Not in School Register (England & Wales)
What is it?
The Children Not in School (CNIS) Register is a new system introduced by the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.
Local authorities will be required to keep a register of eligible children of compulsory school age who are not attending school, including many children who are electively home educated. Parents will also have duties to provide certain information for the register.
Why might it matter?
A new local-authority register for children of compulsory school age who meet the criteria for being recorded as not in school. For many home-educating families, it will mean providing specified information to their local authority once the relevant provisions are in force.
👉 In simple terms: It's a new system for recording children who are not attending school. It does not change parents' right to choose home education.
Ofsted
What is it?
Ofsted is the organisation responsible for inspecting schools and certain education providers in England.
Why might it matter?
Many parents worry that Ofsted also inspects home education.
They don't.
👉 In simple terms: Ofsted inspects schools—not families who choose to home educate.
LA
Local Authority
What is it?
Your Local Authority is your local council. It has legal responsibilities for education and children's services within your area.
Why might it matter?
If you home educate, your Local Authority may contact you to ask about the education your child is receiving.
👉 In simple terms: They're your local education team.
Quick, simple explanations for parents — no jargon.
Education is the foundation of growth, empowering individuals with essential knowledge and skills. It fosters understanding, promotes innovation, and shapes our communities for a brighter future.
Parent Confidence
Parent Confidence Guides
Now on the Free Resource Page
Practical support to help parents feel more confident in supporting their child’s learning.
Supporting Learning at Home
Learning does not only happen in classrooms. Many of the most meaningful learning experiences happen through everyday moments — through conversation, play, creativity, and exploration.
Explore the WhyPlayLearning resources to discover simple ways to support learning at home.
Final Note
Education is always evolving, but one thing remains the same:
Children learn best when they feel supported, understood, and encouraged to explore the world around them.