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National Foundation for Educational Research

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National Foundation for Educational Research

NFER is a charity with a world reputation for providing independent and rigorous education research.

04/09/2026

We’re looking forward to joining the Research ED National Conference in London tomorrow.

Our Research Director Jenna Julius will be holding a session exploring why pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are increasingly concentrated in a subset of mainstream schools and what this means for schools, pupils and their communities.

Drawing on our recent research, High-SEND schools: Patterns and pressures in mainstream provision, funded by The Nuffield Foundation, Jenna will explore the factors that can lead pupils with SEND towards particular schools, including schools’ reputations for inclusive practice and expertise, parental choice and pressures on capacity elsewhere.

The research found that pupils with SEND in high-SEND schools are less likely to move schools than their peers with SEND in other settings. While these schools can develop strong inclusive cultures and considerable expertise, many are also facing increased pressures on staffing, funding and leadership capacity.

Jenna’s session will consider what these patterns tell us about how responsibility for supporting pupils with SEND is shared across the mainstream school system and what may be needed to create a more sustainable and inclusive approach.

Find out more here 👉 https://www.nfer.ac.uk/events/researched-national-conference-2026/

📍 Parliament Hill School, London
📅 Saturday 5 September (9am – 4:30pm)

Find out more about our recent research into High-SEND schools and patterns and pressures in mainstream provision at the link in our comments.

03/09/2026

The House of Lords Public Services Committee has published a policy letter to the government following its inquiry into falling primary school rolls.

The Committee’s findings draw on evidence from our research, and we were pleased to contribute further evidence to the inquiry.

Our Research Director Jenna Julius also spoke to the
Committee about some of the challenges associated with falling pupil numbers, including the implications for school funding and educational provision and the potential impact on disadvantaged pupils.

You can see footage from Jenna's final recommendation below. 👇

02/09/2026

What can the evidence tell us about how cost-of-living pressures are being felt in schools?

Our 2024 research found:

🟣 Around 40% of primary teachers reported an increase in pupils arriving without adequate clothing compared with the previous year.

🟣 Around a third reported an increase in pupils arriving at school hungry.

🟣 More than 70% of school leaders reported providing or supporting access to food parcels, food banks or food vouchers.

Read more 👉
https://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/the-ongoing-impact-of-the-cost-of-living-crisis-on-schools/

These findings highlight the role schools are playing in responding to needs that extend beyond education itself.

With changes to free school meal eligibility and school uniform requirements coming into effect from September, Research Director Jenna Julius considers how far the measures could help families and the wider challenges that remain.

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

01/09/2026

“These measures have the potential to provide practical help, but they should be seen as part of a wider response to the financial pressures facing families.”

New measures coming into effect from September aim to help families with the costs associated with school, including expanded free school meal eligibility and changes to school uniform requirements.

Research Director Jenna Julius explores what these changes could mean in practice and considers them alongside our wider 2024 research into the pressures facing pupils, families and schools.

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

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.

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.

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 👇

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.

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 👇

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The Mere, Upton Park
Slough
SL12DQ

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5:15pm
Tuesday	8am - 5:15pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:15pm
Thursday	8am - 5:15pm
Friday	8am - 5:15pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/thenfer

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