National Foundation for Educational Research

National Foundation for Educational Research NFER is a charity with a world reputation for providing independent and rigorous education research.

From 1 September, changes to free school meal eligibility and school uniform requirements aim to provide additional supp...
28/08/2026

From 1 September, changes to free school meal eligibility and school uniform requirements aim to provide additional support for families facing cost-of-living pressures.

These changes come at a time when our research has highlighted the wider effects financial pressures can have on pupils, families and schools.

Our research from 2024 has shown schools providing support that extends beyond education itself, including food parcels, subsidised breakfasts and help for families experiencing financial difficulties.

In our latest blog, Research Director Jenna Julius considers how far the new measures could help families, alongside the wider pressures that schools and families continue to navigate.

🔗 Read the blog: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/how-far-will-new-measures-help-families-facing-cost-of-living-pressures/

25/08/2026

Improving school attendance requires schools, families and the government to work together.

Speaking to BBC Guernsey, our Senior Research Manager, Dr Emma Moore discussed the significant time and resources schools are investing to support pupils back into regular attendance – from early intervention and pastoral support to flexible timetables and tailored provision.

Emma also highlighted the complex decisions some families face when school is affecting their child’s wellbeing, and the importance of schools and parents building strong relationships to understand barriers and find the right support.

🎧 Listen to the full interview below.

As pupils across the country receive their GCSE and Level 1 & 2 results today, we want to thank the teachers and school ...
20/08/2026

As pupils across the country receive their GCSE and Level 1 & 2 results today, we want to thank the teachers and school staff who have supported, encouraged and believed in them to help bring their students to this moment.

Whatever comes next, we wish every pupil the very best as they take their next steps.

A child’s experiences during their first years at primary school can be shaped by a wide range of circumstances.The firs...
19/08/2026

A child’s experiences during their first years at primary school can be shaped by a wide range of circumstances.

The first findings from Five to Twelve, a major new longitudinal study following children through primary education in England during the 2020s, explore children’s education, wellbeing, health and home lives.

Drawing on interviews with 8,632 families, the findings highlight differences associated with household income, parental education, eligibility for Free School Meals and special educational needs.

Most families regularly took part in home learning activities, while the findings also identified variations in children’s health, sleep, physical development and cognitive skills.

Three-quarters of children were predicted to meet the expected Key Stage 2 standards in maths and reading, although this varied between different groups of children.

By following the same children over time, the study will help to build a fuller understanding of how children’s experiences and outcomes develop throughout primary school.

We are pleased to support this study, which is led by the National Centre for Social Research (supported by the National Children's Bureau), and funded by the Department for Education.

Read the first findings in the link in the comments 👇

To everyone receiving their Level 3 results today, we understand the incredible amount of hard work and commitment that ...
13/08/2026

To everyone receiving their Level 3 results today, we understand the incredible amount of hard work and commitment that has brought you to this point.

We also want to recognise the teachers and staff across schools, colleges and workplaces whose dedication, encouragement and support have helped students throughout their journey and brought them to this important milestone.

Whatever your results and whatever comes next, we wish you every success as you take your next step.

Support staff are essential to school life and helping schools run smoothly and supporting pupils to learn and thrive.Ye...
12/08/2026

Support staff are essential to school life and helping schools run smoothly and supporting pupils to learn and thrive.

Yet our latest research shows that many schools are facing challenges recruiting and retaining these vital colleagues:

📊The support staff leaving rate reached 19% - the highest recorded since data collection began in 2011/12

📊74% of primary leaders and 77% of secondary leaders reported difficulties recruiting teaching assistants

📊Only 40% of support staff felt they had opportunities for career progression

While the support staff workforce grew by 7,000 in 2024/25, the findings highlight the importance of ensuring staff feel valued and have access to fair pay and meaningful opportunities to progress.

Read our full findings on school support staff and wider teaching workforce in our blog by Jack Worth, Education Workforce Lead in the link in the comments 👇

Supporting pupils experiencing persistent absence is a complex challenge, with every young person facing different circu...
07/08/2026

Supporting pupils experiencing persistent absence is a complex challenge, with every young person facing different circumstances and needs. 💜

Our new research highlights the wide range of approaches schools are using to support pupils, including pastoral and family-focused support, adjustments to learning and timetables, and specialist provision.

In our latest blog, Senior Research Manager, Dr Emma Moore explores what pupils, parents, carers and school staff told us about this support. She considers the importance of helping pupils feel safe, welcome and included, while supporting their social and academic reintegration into school.

The findings also demonstrate the value of collaboration between schools, families and wider services in helping young people attend and thrive.

Read the full blog via the link in the comments. 🔗

From supporting pupils to reconnect with school to responding to changing needs and pressures, the education sector is n...
05/08/2026

From supporting pupils to reconnect with school to responding to changing needs and pressures, the education sector is navigating a wide range of challenges.

Our work in July explored several important issues facing education: the relationship between pupil wellbeing and attendance, the pressures created by falling pupil numbers and rising SEND rates, and the importance of early language development.

We also began new research examining ethnic diversity across the education workforce and announced the next phase of the Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders study - helping to strengthen the evidence available to educators, researchers and policymakers.

Find out more via the link in the comments.

The first rungs of the career ladder are becoming harder for young people to reach. 🪜Many of the entry-level roles that ...
31/07/2026

The first rungs of the career ladder are becoming harder for young people to reach. 🪜

Many of the entry-level roles that once helped young people gain experience, develop workplace skills and progress into sustainable careers are declining.

At the same time, employers are increasingly seeking candidates who already have experience and a combination of technical and transferable skills.

In a new blog, our Research Director Luke Bocock explores how structural changes in the labour market are weakening established pathways from education into employment. With young people from disadvantaged backgrounds likely to face the greatest barriers.

Supporting young people to climb the career ladder may not be enough. We also need to consider how its first rungs are created and sustained.

Learn more 👉 https://www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/the-career-ladder-is-missing-its-first-rung/

NFER Direct 📧The latest edition of NFER Direct brings together our recent research and analysis on some of the key issue...
30/07/2026

NFER Direct 📧

The latest edition of NFER Direct brings together our recent research and analysis on some of the key issues within education, including:

🟣 The impact of falling primary pupil numbers
🟣 Pupil life satisfaction and school absence
🟣 The role of school belonging in supporting attendance
🟣 What the latest data tells us about teacher supply
🟣 Ongoing pressures across the school workforce

Read the latest insights https://r1.ddlnk.net/t/cr/AQiltBUQyKokGO_liBf7xTy0kigRMMM-qeEJECgb1t6rv43RwJR8gnGUqZ1AQg

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