Natalie Perera
@natalieperera.bsky.social
1.9K followers 340 following 54 posts
CEO, Education Policy Institute Charity Trustee and former civil servant.
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natalieperera.bsky.social
In sunny Bournemouth to speak on a @nasuwt-official.bsky.social panel on education funding. @edupolicyinst.bsky.social events kick off from 11.30 tomorrow!
natalieperera.bsky.social
And so it begins. We're kicking off the 2025 Party Conference this weekend at #LDConf in Bournemouth. I'm doing a panel on Sunday with @nasuwt-official.bsky.social. We've then got a great line up of EPI events with our partners on Monday. Join us if you can!
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
Heading to @conference.libdems.org.uk over the weekend? Join EPI on Monday 22nd September as we dig into the big questions shaping education policy. We’ll be running events throughout the day. Find out more here: epi.org.uk/events/

#LDConf
Graphic titled EPI at Liberal Democrat Conference 2025. Logos of Association of Colleges, AQA, Independent Schools Council, and LSE appear at the top. Programme for Monday 22nd September 2025:

11:30–12:30: What would a Curriculum and Assessment system that delivers for everyone actually look like? (in partnership with AQA), Durley Suite, Bournemouth International Centre.

13:00–14:00: Empowering Places, Empowering People: the role of colleges in regional skills growth (in partnership with the Association of Colleges), Durley Suite, Bournemouth International Centre.

18:15–19:15: The role of state-independent partnerships in delivering teaching excellence through shared expertise (in partnership with the Independent Schools Council), Westbourne Suite, Bournemouth International Centre.

19:45–21:00: Happy and healthy children: the wellbeing reception (in partnership with LSE), Bryanstone Suite, Marriott. Invite only, with contact email reception@epi.org.uk
natalieperera.bsky.social
I love this article. We're all wobbly sometimes schoolsweek.co.uk/how-can-main...
natalieperera.bsky.social
The @edupolicyinst.bsky.social was up bright and early today to bring you everything you need to know about Level 3 results day today 👇
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
Following today’s publication of Level 3 results across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, EPI has released its analysis of this year’s key trends — here are the headline takeaways 📈
A split-screen graphic. On the left, a close-up photo of a student writing in an exam setting, with another student blurred in the background. On the right, a teal background with the Education Policy Institute logo, the heading “Analysis,” and the title “Level 3 Results Day 2025” followed by the names Robbie Cruikshanks, Robbie Maris, and Sam Tuckett. At the bottom, a dark blue button reads “Read the full analysis on epi.org.uk” with a QR code beside it.
Reposted by Natalie Perera
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
The Education Policy Institute’s Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the Government's spending review. Read the full statement: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...
Graphic from the Education Policy Institute. On the far left is a large teal opening quotation mark. Beneath it is a black-and-white head-and-shoulders photo of Natalie Perera outlined with a teal circle; her name and title, “Chief Executive,” appear in bold black and teal text below the photo.

To the right, in large black font, are four paragraphs of her quotation:

“Today’s announcement signals a significant cash increase in school funding. However, given that the overall budget is rising by £4.7 bn in cash terms only by 2028-29, once inflation is considered, this increase leaves less flexibility for schools than they might have hoped.”

“[…] The government must consider how funding is targeted, ensuring it reaches the schools and pupils who need it most.”

“The most pressing challenge is the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and today’s settlement doesn’t appear to leave adequate funding to deliver the much-needed reforms in this area […]”

    “[…] The Government must prioritise publishing a child-poverty strategy and this should include funded commitments, including removing the two-child benefit cap, that will genuinely lift children out of poverty.”

A dark navy vertical bar runs down the right edge; at its top is the Education Policy Institute logo, and at the bottom is an oversized white closing quotation mark.
Reposted by Natalie Perera
johngroberts.bsky.social
The EPI's director of SEND Jo Hutchinson said we are having problems with inclusion in mainstream and this is seen through high and increasing numbers of pupils having unexplained school moves or exits from the school system and attendance problems driving wider disadvantage gaps.
Reposted by Natalie Perera
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
🔊Comment: EPI's CEO @natalieperera.bsky.social
responds to the 2025/26 teachers' pay award.
natalieperera.bsky.social
Thoughtful piece here by Diana Sutton on the importance of ESOL funding and provision, in the wake of Labour's immigration plans feweek.co.uk/why-labours-...
natalieperera.bsky.social
ICYMI last week, we published a thoughtful analysis on the gender gap and why we need to be worried about both boys AND girls. As ever, it poses a number of questions we need t explore around safety and belonging.
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
There’s been growing concern about boys falling behind in school. We previously reported that the GCSE gender gap is narrowing, but new data paints a more complex picture.

In this thread, we explore what’s behind the shift—and why it may be too soon to celebrate.
🧵
natalieperera.bsky.social
And this report from @ippr.bsky.social and @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social sets out recommendations for improving and scaling professional development.
ippr.org
🧑‍🏫 | NEW REPORT: Schools face a workforce crisis. The attainment gap is the widest in a decade. The solution? Invest in teachers.
Our report with @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social sets out a smart, scalable plan to reach 290,000 teachers and improve outcomes for pupils.
www.ippr.org/articles/a-s...
natalieperera.bsky.social
Our latest report highlights the stark and growing gaps in the experience, expertise and stability of teaching between disadvantaged and more affluent schools. In order to make progress in closing the gap, govt needs to turbo charge financial incentives & access to professional development.
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
📊 New report: Disadvantage gaps in the teaching workforce

We examined three critical aspects of workforce characteristics: experience, subject expertise, and stability (including both turnover & staff absences), comparing the most & least affluent school quintiles (by free school meal eligibility).
natalieperera.bsky.social
Just to be clear, David has stepped down. I'm still here......
natalieperera.bsky.social
And, 5 years on from lockdown, @mrjpandrews.bsky.social speaks to More or Less about the impact on learning and inequalities.
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
Our Head of Analysis @mrjpandrews.bsky.social speaks on BBC More or Less about the impact of lockdown on pupils, the attainment gap, and regional variations across England.

You can listen the full interview 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
More or Less - How did lockdown impact children? - BBC Sounds
Five years on, Tim Harford looks at the data on the effect of lockdown.
www.bbc.co.uk
Reposted by Natalie Perera
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
Our Chief Executive, @natalieperera.bsky.social speaks on BBC Breakfast today about findings from our latest report on the disadvantage gap, highlighting that absence is a leading cause of the performance gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.
natalieperera.bsky.social
Today, @edupolicyinst.bsky.social published a groundbreaking report on the impact of school absences on the disadvantage gap. I was pleased to talk to the Today Programme about some of these issues and challenges.
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
📻On BBC Radio 4 Today, our Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social discusses the findings from our latest report on rising levels of school absence and the widening disadvantage gap for pupils.

You can listen the full interview here at 44.30👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Today - 17/03/2025 - BBC Sounds
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
natalieperera.bsky.social
So excited to share the cover of my talented cousin's new children's book - out on 5th June and absolutely stunning. 🤩🤩
trulyjwrites.bsky.social
🐚🎉🐚🎉 COVER REVEAL!

So delighted to be able to share this with you! This is my debut middle grade childrens novel, due out on 5th June 2025.

A magical seaside read with themes of family, environment and heritage. Thanks to @trindles_ for the beautiful cover art.

bit.ly/43KMcRr

#childrensbooks
natalieperera.bsky.social
I'm at #ASCL2025 where @tomrees.bsky.social cites @edupolicyinst.bsky.social research on the variation of SEND identification as he sets out the challenges facing the SEND system
natalieperera.bsky.social
Happy International Women's Day, especially to the amazing team of women in @edupolicyinst.bsky.social. Thank you for your passion and your power 🤩🤩
natalieperera.bsky.social
Lovely to be in Durham today, partnering with Durham University and the North East Combined Authority to talk about how we can better understand and tackle regional educational inequalities. And the sun has come out!
natalieperera.bsky.social
We're recruiting! A great opportunity to work in our lovely charity, helping with our events and fundraising efforts, as well as with my diary!
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
💼JOB OPPORTUNITY: Executive and Events Officer

We’re looking for a talented and motivated candidate to join our Communications, Events and Partnerships team as an Executive and Events Officer.

More information on the role and how to apply👇
epi.org.uk/jobs/executi...
Executive and Events Officer - Education Policy Institute
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) is a leading independent public policy research institute.  We produce influential, authoritative, data-driven research that is both timely and influential to poli...
epi.org.uk
Reposted by Natalie Perera
edupolicyinst.bsky.social
🗣️Comment: Latest Ofsted inspections and report card proposals

Our Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the latest announcements.