Year: 2025
December 2025 – Other News Highlights
UK government takes control of SEND budgets As we have previously reported, the pressure on the UK SEND schooling system is closing to breaking point. A major change announced in the Budget is the UK government taking greater central control of SEND funding. Relocating families may see tighter funding decisions, Read more
New OFSTED report cards – changing the face of English education
From November 2025, Ofsted is scrapping its infamous one‑word school ratings — “Outstanding,” “Good,” “Requires Improvement,” “Inadequate” — and replacing them with detailed, multi‑metric “report cards.” Under the new system, schools will be assessed across six core areas — including curriculum & teaching, achievement, attendance & behaviour, personal development & Read more
Is applying out of age group possible for state schools?
We are finding more relocating families requesting UK state school places outside their child’s normal age group — often due to differences in international curriculum, academic calendars, special educational needs, or because a child is working ahead of age peers. However, many families are unaware that these requests are not Read more
UK government to take direct responsibility for Send budget
The UK government has announced in the budget that it will take all Send spending away from local authorities by 2028 - a forecasted £6bn of extra costs. This has been welcomed by local authorities who have been struggling to afford Send payments with demand moving beyond the ring-fenced budget Read more
Home Schooling Revolution: New Rules You Need to Know
Education is a cornerstone of successful international assignments, and many relocating families — including those with strong faith backgrounds or facing short-term placements — rely on home schooling for flexibility. The UK’s proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill may significantly reshape this option for families moving to England. Under the Read more
School uniform – the hidden cost
The government has announced new measures aimed at reducing the cost of school uniforms for families across the country. A survey by survey by The Children’s Society found parents of secondary school children paid on average £422 per year, and parents of primary school children about £287. Uniform costs are Read more
The rising cost of school transport in England
Councils in England are steadily shouldering ever-larger bills for school transport, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). According to the Local Government Association (LGA), local authority spending on home-to-school transport for SEND pupils was about £1.73 billion in 2023-24 and is projected to hit nearly £2 Read more
What are V Levels
The UK Government has recently unveiled a bold reform of post-16 education: from 2027, V Levels will become the new standard Level 3 vocational qualification for 16- to 19-year-olds, designed to sit alongside existing A-Levels and T Levels. In broad terms, V Levels are intended to replace many of the Read more
End of UK government support for IB diploma in state schools
In October 2025, the UK Department for Education (DfE) confirmed it will remove the additional funding that state schools currently receive for running the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Funding will cease from the 2026–27 academic year, with a transitional period in 2026–27 to ease the shift. Schools will still be Read more
When can a family apply for a state school place?
For many families relocating to the UK, the timing of applying for—and securing—a place at a state school is often the most critical part of the move. Yet understanding exactly when an application can be submitted is far from straightforward. Government guidance states that families may apply for a state Read more