National Foundation for Educational Research

15/06/2026

🏫 Does feeling like you belong at school make a big difference to improving attendance?

With absence rates remaining a big challenge for schools, could strengthening pupils’ sense of belonging be part of the solution?

In a new blog, Jenna Julius, Research Director, and Emma Moore, Senior Research Manager, explore what the evidence tells us about the links between school belonging, life satisfaction and attendance.

Their findings show that while belonging matters, it is only one part of a much bigger picture when it comes to improving attendance.

Read the full blog via the link in the comments 👇

12/06/2026

📢 The latest workforce data reveals a more nuanced picture of teacher supply in England.

There are now 4,654 more teachers above the Government's 2023/24 baseline target, but understanding the state of teacher supply requires looking beyond a single measure.

In a new blog, our Education Workforce Lead Jack Worth examines five key metrics to provide a fuller picture of teacher supply in England.

While recent data shows positive signs, including improved teacher retention and falling unfilled vacancies, the data also highlights areas that require continued attention.

Looking across all five measures emphasises the importance of sustaining a healthy supply of high-quality teachers to support schools and pupils.

Read the full blog via the link in the comments. 👇

03/06/2026

🆕 Low life satisfaction more strongly associated with school absence for girls than boys 🏫

Our new research shows that lower life satisfaction among pupils in England is associated with higher school absences, with stronger links seen among girls and persistently absent pupils.

The findings come at a time when absence rates remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, averaging 8.4% in secondary schools in 2024/25 compared with 5.5% in 2018/19, despite considerable efforts from schools and government to improve attendance.

The research also indicates that improving school belonging and life satisfaction may help reduce absence but are likely to make only a modest contribution on their own. It emphasises the need for a wider response combining school-based action with mental health support, family support and other public services.

Find out more via the link in the comments. 👇

29/05/2026

The latest edition of NFER Direct has been sent to inboxes today. 📧

The May edition features further information on our latest SEND research, the impact of post-16 subject choice availability and the latest on teacher supply.

Read it here 👇

NFER Direct is our monthly e-newsletter covering the latest news, research, sector insights, and upcoming events.

20/05/2026

🆕 New research on uneven distribution of SEND pupils in schools in England 🧒🏫

Increasing proportions of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are becoming concentrated in a small number of mainstream schools in England, placing growing pressure on those schools and raising questions about fairness across the system.

Our new research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, also reveals that while some schools are developing deep expertise in inclusion, this concentration is creating pressures that many say are difficult to sustain.

It is also limiting the extent to which expertise in SEND is being developed more widely across the system.

Find out more via the link in the comments. 👇

13/05/2026

Our Chief Executive, Carole Willis, has given her reaction to the announcement of SEND system reforms in today's King's Speech.

Read the full response 👉 http://bit.ly/4fkheW1

Late last year, we published research which explored the uneven distribution of pupils with SEND across England's mainstream schools.

Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4ti20oY

12/05/2026

🏫 New research on the further education sector in England reveals restrictions on subject choice 🏫

Our latest research into the further education sector in England has found that some areas of the country, both rural and densely populated, are subject to 'cold spots' where some post-16 subjects are not offered by any provider. This is especially seen in subjects such as A-Level Dance and Music Technology, which are unavailable to students in around half of England’s local authorities.

The research, commissioned by the Association of Colleges, has also found that areas with a greater number of smaller providers - which is particularly driven by a higher share of provision being delivered by school sixth forms - tend to offer a narrower range of subjects and run smaller, less efficient classes, particularly in humanities and social sciences.

Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/48TNoE0

07/05/2026

If you're at the Schools & Academies Show at the Excel today, come and visit Alex and Sian from our Products Team to have a chat and learn more about all things research and assessment! 👋

📍 Stand I9

30/04/2026

🏫 Is the teacher supply challenge finally over? 👨‍🏫👩‍🏫

Last week, the postgraduate trainee teacher recruitment targets for 2026/27 were reduced by 28% for primary and 21% for secondary, with the government stating that improvements in teacher retention and falling pupil roles were significant factors.

Our Education Workforce Lead, Jack Worth, discusses what this means for teacher supply, both in terms of this year's recruitment targets and future policy direction.

Read the blog 👉 https://bit.ly/48AeqA1

22/04/2026

🗣️ "As we have highlighted before, demographic change will require significant cost-saving measures in many schools, particularly given the challenging financial position a lot of schools already face.

"It is therefore vital that schools are supported by government, local authorities and trusts to manage and minimise the risks of adverse impacts on pupils. This is particularly true because schools with more disadvantaged pupils are more likely to be affected."

Our Senior Economist, Michael Scott, has responded to the National Audit Office's report on the impact of changing demand for school places.

Full response 👉 https://www.nfer.ac.uk/press-releases/nfer-comments-on-national-audit-office-report-on-declining-pupil-numbers/