Consultation Hub

The Department for Education published a consultation on our long-term vision for narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges. The consultation asked for feedback on our long-term ambition for all schools and colleges to meet the following core digital and technology standards by 2030:  

1. Broadband internet  

2. Wireless networks  

3. Network switches  

4. Digital leadership and governance  

5. Filtering and monitoring 

6. Cyber security 

A total of 210 responses were received. Of those who responded to the consultation, 72% of schools and colleges reported that they are already meeting or could meet the broadband internet, wireless networks, network switches and digital leadership and governance standards by 2030.  

Of those who responded to the consultation, 93% of schools and colleges reported that they are already meeting or could meet the cyber security standards by 2030 and 98% reported that they already meet the filtering and monitoring standards fully or to some extent. 

Some respondents identified specific areas of the standards that may be prohibitively expensive to meet.  

Based on the responses to the consultation, we will continue with our long-term ambition for all schools and colleges to meet the six-core digital and technology standards by 2030.  

We will review specific elements of the standards where respondents said the requirements may be difficult to meet. We will consider whether the standards need to be adjusted in these areas to ensure they are achievable and provide value for money. This will be balanced alongside the need to ensure all schools and colleges have reliable and safe technology.  

We will continue to develop our plan technology for your school support service, focusing on the core six standards and additional functionality to support Responsible Bodies in their strategic role.  

This call for evidence asked respondents to submit research that may inform updates to the evidence-base underpinning 3 NPQ frameworks.

The department received 159 individual submission responses. The 159 submission responses included 200+ different insights, which included a range of evidence studies and other sources of information. The department is appreciative and thankful to all individuals and organisations who took the time to formally respond and submit research for consideration. 

Please read the response document included on gov.uk for further information about the evidence that was received and the next steps for its use.

The department is now working closely with EEF and external experts to review the evidence and inform decision making when updating the frameworks. The department is openly engaging in multiple forums to ensure a wide range of views are considered when reviewing and updating the NPQ suite.

If you have any insights to share, or would like further information on potential opportunities for engagement, please contact npq.insights@education.gov.uk.

To what extent the draft guidance on the use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions in schools supported schools to:

• Meet the new statutory requirement to record every significant incident of use of force and report these incidents to the parents of the pupils involved.
• Proactively minimise the need to use reasonable force and other restrictive interventions through prevention, de-escalation and data analysis to support improvement planning.
• Support staff to understand when and how to use force or other restrictive interventions safely and lawfully.
• Support staff who work with pupils with SEND.
• Support staff to meet their safeguarding duties towards pupils and other staff.

The guidance was strong in many areas, particularly in supporting schools to develop policies on the use of reasonable force and restrictive practices. Areas for improvement included clearer terminology, more advice relating to the use of seclusion, and further support on training.

The guidance was updated to include clearer terminology and new dedicated advice on the use of seclusion in schools. We also introduced new legislation to mandate that schools must record and report the use of seclusion to parents, bringing our policy into alignment with existing plans to commence legislation mandating schools to record and report significant incidents involving the use of force. Support on training will be considered as part of the next phase of the work programme.