Consultation Hub

This site hosts consultations run by the Department for Education. Public participation is important to the development of our policies and guidance so please have your say.

Open Consultations

  • Setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB)

    This consultation is for anyone with an interest in the set up of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), which will have a remit for pay, conditions, training and career progression for school support staff in England.

    Closes 18 July 2025

  • Out-of-School Settings Safeguarding: Call for evidence

    The Department for Education is calling for evidence to help shape future safeguarding policy for the Out-of-School Settings (OOSS) sector. This diverse sector includes providers such as tuition centres, sports and arts clubs, youth groups (e.g. Scouts and Brownies), holiday camps/activity centres,...

    Closes 21 August 2025

Closed Consultations

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

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

You said

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. 

We did

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.

We asked

The Department for Education published a consultation asking for views on the proposed draft regulations to make changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) member contribution rates, Fair deal provisions and a few minor miscellaneous amendments to ensure the TPS regulations remain up to date.

You said

A total of 187 responses were received from individuals and organisations.

We did

The Department has looked closely at all the comments raised and the draft regulations will now form the basis of the final regulations. The draft regulations have been laid in Parliament and will be implemented on 1 April 2025.

We asked

This consultation invited views on two proposals:  

Part one: to remove the 50% cap on faith admissions for new and existing free schools, helping to encourage all faith groups and trusts to apply to open new faith free schools within the tenets of their faith. 

Part two: to allow new special academies and existing special academies registered with the Department for Education as having a faith ethos to apply to be designated as having a religious character.  

You said

A total of 3668 responses were received. Most respondents (66%) disagreed or strongly disagreed with both proposals.  

We did

We would like to thank all those who responded to the consultation. The government will not be moving forward with these proposals at this time and will continue to keep these policy areas under review.

The government has committed to remove barriers to opportunity and raise school standards. We believe work underway in other areas to this consultation will better support our mission, and we look forward to working in partnership with all types of school, including the important contribution of faith schools, in achieving our mission.