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 Activities

  • FE teacher initial training and development: call for evidence

    We're seeking evidence of relevant, high-quality theory and knowledge that underpins early career preparation for teachers in the Further Education sector.

    Closes 12 December 2025

  • Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways

    We're seeking views on the design and implementation of a third, vocational pathway at level 3 and two new pathways at level 2 in post-16 education.

    Closes 12 January 2026

  • SEND reform national conversation

    Tell us your views and experiences of the SEND system. We want to hear from everyone - from parents to those working in schools, colleges and early years - to help shape the system our children and young people deserve.

    Closes 14 January 2026

  • International Student Levy

    We are seeking views on the technical detail of the International Student Levy, to ensure its effective introduction and operation.

    Closes 18 February 2026

Closed Activities

  • Independent review for social work regulation: call for evidence

    This call for evidence provides you with an opportunity to share your views with the people conducting an Independent Review of Social Work Regulation. Dame Annie Hudson has been appointed to lead this Review. This Independent Review must explore the key factors government should consider in...

    Closed 26 November 2025

  • Revision of Ofsted Fees for Inspections of Independent Schools

    We're seeking views on p roposal to update The Independent Educational Provision in England (Inspection Fees and Savings Provisions) Regulations 2019.

    Closed 20 November 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,...

    Closed 21 September 2025

  • 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.

    Closed 18 July 2025

  • Space requirements in early years childcare settings in England

    We are seeking views on options for amending the indoor space requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory frameworks.

    Closed 11 July 2025

We Asked, You Said, We Did

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

We asked

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  

  1. Wireless networks  

  1. Network switches  

  1. Digital leadership and governance  

  1. Filtering and monitoring 

  1. Cyber security 

You said

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.  

We did

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.  

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

This consultation asked for views on proposals to reform the school accountability system in England. It asked for feedback on principles to guide accountability, the development of digital school profiles, and support and intervention for underperforming schools.

You said

The consultation received 859 responses via the Citizen Space portal and 11 responses by email. For those responding via Citizen Space 73% were responding as an individual with 27% responding on behalf of an organisation.

  • 73% agreed that the principles were helpful in improving school accountability
  • 77% agreed that school profiles should be the place for accessing up-to-date performance information
  • 51% agreed that structural intervention is necessary for schools identified by Ofsted as requiring special measures
  • 41% agreed that, until September 2026, schools found to require significant improvement should normally be subject to structural intervention
  • 66% agreed that targeted RISE intervention should be the default for these schools following September 2026
  • 48% agreed that RISE teams should engage with schools where there are concerning levels of pupil attainment

We did

We will proceed with implementing the proposals consulted on, subject to some refinements as set out in our full response to the consultation.