National Foundation for Educational Research
@thenfer.bsky.social
Global independent provider of research, assessment and information services for education. Follow @nferclassroom.bsky.social too if you're working in schools.
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🆕 | New research, funded by Gatsby Education, has highlighted that disadvantaged apprentices are significantly more likely to withdraw from their apprenticeship programmes.
Find out more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/press...
Find out more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/press...
You can now watch the recording of this free #Skills2035 webinar back on our website 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
We are co-hosting a free webinar, which will look into our recent #Skills2035 Programme and discuss practical approaches, models & tools schools can use to prepare students with essential employment skills.
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
February 6, 2026 at 3:06 PM
You can now watch the recording of this free #Skills2035 webinar back on our website 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
Taking place very shortly! 👇
We are co-hosting a free webinar, which will look into our recent #Skills2035 Programme and discuss practical approaches, models & tools schools can use to prepare students with essential employment skills.
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
February 4, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Taking place very shortly! 👇
We are co-hosting a free webinar, which will look into our recent #Skills2035 Programme and discuss practical approaches, models & tools schools can use to prepare students with essential employment skills.
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
February 2, 2026 at 5:06 PM
We are co-hosting a free webinar, which will look into our recent #Skills2035 Programme and discuss practical approaches, models & tools schools can use to prepare students with essential employment skills.
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
📆 4th February
⏰ 16:30 - 17:30
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/what-...
We are co-hosting a free webinar, which will look into research from our recent #Skills2035 Programme and discuss how the tertiary education system can best prepare young people for the future of work.
📆 11 February
⏰ 16:00 - 17:00
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/the-t...
📆 11 February
⏰ 16:00 - 17:00
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/the-t...
January 30, 2026 at 4:52 PM
We are co-hosting a free webinar, which will look into research from our recent #Skills2035 Programme and discuss how the tertiary education system can best prepare young people for the future of work.
📆 11 February
⏰ 16:00 - 17:00
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/the-t...
📆 11 February
⏰ 16:00 - 17:00
Find out more and register 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/the-t...
📫 The first edition of NFER Direct for 2026 has now been sent to subscribers.
For the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming work and our international work, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
For the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming work and our international work, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
January 30, 2026 at 10:49 AM
📫 The first edition of NFER Direct for 2026 has now been sent to subscribers.
For the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming work and our international work, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
For the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming work and our international work, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
🗣️ “Young people who already face the greatest barriers in education & employment, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are most likely to struggle to complete apprenticeships.”
Our Co-Head of Policy & Practice, Jude Hillary, reacts to our new apprenticeship withdrawals research.
[1/2]
Our Co-Head of Policy & Practice, Jude Hillary, reacts to our new apprenticeship withdrawals research.
[1/2]
January 29, 2026 at 9:38 AM
🗣️ “Young people who already face the greatest barriers in education & employment, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are most likely to struggle to complete apprenticeships.”
Our Co-Head of Policy & Practice, Jude Hillary, reacts to our new apprenticeship withdrawals research.
[1/2]
Our Co-Head of Policy & Practice, Jude Hillary, reacts to our new apprenticeship withdrawals research.
[1/2]
🆕 | Our latest research (funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social) has showcased the switch from apprenticeship frameworks to standards is a key factor in explaining the substantial decline in the apprenticeship achievement rate over the last decade. 👇
Find out more 👉 nfer.ac.uk/publications...
Find out more 👉 nfer.ac.uk/publications...
January 28, 2026 at 12:55 PM
🆕 | Our latest research (funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social) has showcased the switch from apprenticeship frameworks to standards is a key factor in explaining the substantial decline in the apprenticeship achievement rate over the last decade. 👇
Find out more 👉 nfer.ac.uk/publications...
Find out more 👉 nfer.ac.uk/publications...
📩 The first edition of our NFER Direct newsletter for 2026 will be published later this week.
For a summary of the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming events, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
For a summary of the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming events, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
January 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM
📩 The first edition of our NFER Direct newsletter for 2026 will be published later this week.
For a summary of the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming events, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
For a summary of the latest news and commentary from our research experts, plus details of upcoming events, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.
Our new research shows that 61% of apprentices who were scheduled to achieve their apprenticeship in the 2023/24 academic year did so, an increase of 6% from the previous year. 🧵 [1/3]
January 27, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Our new research shows that 61% of apprentices who were scheduled to achieve their apprenticeship in the 2023/24 academic year did so, an increase of 6% from the previous year. 🧵 [1/3]
🆕 | New research, funded by Gatsby Education, has highlighted that disadvantaged apprentices are significantly more likely to withdraw from their apprenticeship programmes.
Find out more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/press...
Find out more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/press...
January 27, 2026 at 7:01 AM
🆕 | New research, funded by Gatsby Education, has highlighted that disadvantaged apprentices are significantly more likely to withdraw from their apprenticeship programmes.
Find out more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/press...
Find out more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/press...
We will be launching new research tomorrow, funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social, which investigates factors associated with apprenticeship withdrawal.
Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for updates. 🔜
Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for updates. 🔜
January 26, 2026 at 4:11 PM
We will be launching new research tomorrow, funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social, which investigates factors associated with apprenticeship withdrawal.
Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for updates. 🔜
Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for updates. 🔜
Reposted by National Foundation for Educational Research
The pipeline of new secondary school teachers will shrink after next year, following a short-term gain in numbers, @thenfer.bsky.social analysis suggests
The supply of secondary teachers ‘will fall after next year’
The pipeline of new secondary teachers will increase in the short term but drop off in 2027-28 and beyond, NFER analysis suggests
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The pipeline of new secondary school teachers will shrink after next year, following a short-term gain in numbers, @thenfer.bsky.social analysis suggests
✍️ | In a new blog, @jackworth.bsky.social uses insights from our redeveloped teacher supply forecast and simulation model to look at what the implications of different STRB recommendations might be for teacher recruitment and retention trends.
Read more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/what-s...
Read more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/what-s...
January 23, 2026 at 1:25 PM
✍️ | In a new blog, @jackworth.bsky.social uses insights from our redeveloped teacher supply forecast and simulation model to look at what the implications of different STRB recommendations might be for teacher recruitment and retention trends.
Read more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/what-s...
Read more 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/what-s...
👋 Calling all Teachers and School leaders! 💻
Tomorrow (21 Jan) is our first free NFER Online Assessments (NOA) Demonstration webinar of 2026. 🐼
The short session will provide an introduction to the NOA platform, and much more.
⏰ 10:00am
Find out more and sign up 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/nfer-...
Tomorrow (21 Jan) is our first free NFER Online Assessments (NOA) Demonstration webinar of 2026. 🐼
The short session will provide an introduction to the NOA platform, and much more.
⏰ 10:00am
Find out more and sign up 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/nfer-...
January 20, 2026 at 6:52 PM
👋 Calling all Teachers and School leaders! 💻
Tomorrow (21 Jan) is our first free NFER Online Assessments (NOA) Demonstration webinar of 2026. 🐼
The short session will provide an introduction to the NOA platform, and much more.
⏰ 10:00am
Find out more and sign up 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/nfer-...
Tomorrow (21 Jan) is our first free NFER Online Assessments (NOA) Demonstration webinar of 2026. 🐼
The short session will provide an introduction to the NOA platform, and much more.
⏰ 10:00am
Find out more and sign up 👉 www.nfer.ac.uk/events/nfer-...
Reposted by National Foundation for Educational Research
Statutory year 8 English & maths tests will be part of the #curriculum reforms, but should it screen or diagnose? David Simcock – @thenfer.bsky.social – on why diagnostic assessment matters, plus practical insights on CATs & reporting: buff.ly/AKf5gjx #schools #education #teaching #edusky
Year 8 diagnostic tests: Making them worthwhile - SecEd
The DfE is planning diagnostic statutory year 8 English and maths tests. Explore the challenges of effective assessment
buff.ly
January 18, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Statutory year 8 English & maths tests will be part of the #curriculum reforms, but should it screen or diagnose? David Simcock – @thenfer.bsky.social – on why diagnostic assessment matters, plus practical insights on CATs & reporting: buff.ly/AKf5gjx #schools #education #teaching #edusky
In our latest blog post, first published in @teachsecondary.bsky.social and @headteacherupdate.bsky.social, Assessment Expert, David Simcock discusses the forthcoming diagnostic Maths and English tests in Year 8 and what they might look like.
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4a0zVLk
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4a0zVLk
January 19, 2026 at 11:50 AM
In our latest blog post, first published in @teachsecondary.bsky.social and @headteacherupdate.bsky.social, Assessment Expert, David Simcock discusses the forthcoming diagnostic Maths and English tests in Year 8 and what they might look like.
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4a0zVLk
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4a0zVLk
The @theeef.bsky.social have today published our review of seven studies that tracked pupil attainment during and after Covid-19, including recommendations for future research during wide-spread prolonged educational disruptions.
Find out more 👉 bit.ly/49WUpVm
Find out more 👉 bit.ly/49WUpVm
January 15, 2026 at 10:41 AM
The @theeef.bsky.social have today published our review of seven studies that tracked pupil attainment during and after Covid-19, including recommendations for future research during wide-spread prolonged educational disruptions.
Find out more 👉 bit.ly/49WUpVm
Find out more 👉 bit.ly/49WUpVm
Current policy could result in high numbers of physics teachers being recruited up to 2028/29, but this is still set to be below DfE targets.
Our new teacher supply forecast and simulation model has analysed the impact of four different policy scenarios.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
Our new teacher supply forecast and simulation model has analysed the impact of four different policy scenarios.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
January 14, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Current policy could result in high numbers of physics teachers being recruited up to 2028/29, but this is still set to be below DfE targets.
Our new teacher supply forecast and simulation model has analysed the impact of four different policy scenarios.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
Our new teacher supply forecast and simulation model has analysed the impact of four different policy scenarios.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
Physics teacher trainee numbers rose by 36% in 2025, but continue to be below target. So how can it be further improved?
In a new blog post, funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social, our Education Workforce Lead, @jackworth.bsky.social, looks at a number of policy scenarios.
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
In a new blog post, funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social, our Education Workforce Lead, @jackworth.bsky.social, looks at a number of policy scenarios.
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
January 13, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Physics teacher trainee numbers rose by 36% in 2025, but continue to be below target. So how can it be further improved?
In a new blog post, funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social, our Education Workforce Lead, @jackworth.bsky.social, looks at a number of policy scenarios.
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
In a new blog post, funded by @gatsbyed.bsky.social, our Education Workforce Lead, @jackworth.bsky.social, looks at a number of policy scenarios.
Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4qQIb6o
In its evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body last October, the DfE proposed a teacher pay increase of 6.5% over the next three academic years.
In our latest blog post, @jackworth.bsky.social discusses what this and more recent events could mean for recruitment and retention.
bit.ly/3KMbSWU
In our latest blog post, @jackworth.bsky.social discusses what this and more recent events could mean for recruitment and retention.
bit.ly/3KMbSWU
What should happen to teachers’ pay from 2026?
In this blog post, Education Workforce Lead Jack Worth discusses what has happened to teacher pay since 2010 and what the Department of Education is proposing to do next.
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
In its evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body last October, the DfE proposed a teacher pay increase of 6.5% over the next three academic years.
In our latest blog post, @jackworth.bsky.social discusses what this and more recent events could mean for recruitment and retention.
bit.ly/3KMbSWU
In our latest blog post, @jackworth.bsky.social discusses what this and more recent events could mean for recruitment and retention.
bit.ly/3KMbSWU
🗣️ Our Chief Executive, Carole Willis, recently spoke on The Rest is Money podcast about our Skills Imperative 2035 research programme and the role of schools and employers in developing the future workforce.
Listen via the following links 👇
🟣 Apple: bit.ly/4bmebe3
🟣 Spotify: bit.ly/4aMkffK
Listen via the following links 👇
🟣 Apple: bit.ly/4bmebe3
🟣 Spotify: bit.ly/4aMkffK
January 6, 2026 at 2:41 PM
🗣️ Our Chief Executive, Carole Willis, recently spoke on The Rest is Money podcast about our Skills Imperative 2035 research programme and the role of schools and employers in developing the future workforce.
Listen via the following links 👇
🟣 Apple: bit.ly/4bmebe3
🟣 Spotify: bit.ly/4aMkffK
Listen via the following links 👇
🟣 Apple: bit.ly/4bmebe3
🟣 Spotify: bit.ly/4aMkffK
✍️ Assessment expert, David Simcock, has written a blog post for @seced.bsky.social about the introduction of new diagnostic maths and English tests for year 8.
Click on the link in the post below to read the blog. 👇
Click on the link in the post below to read the blog. 👇
Statutory year 8 English & maths tests will be part of the #curriculum reforms, but should it screen or diagnose? David Simcock – @thenfer.bsky.social – on why diagnostic assessment matters, plus practical insights on CATs & reporting: buff.ly/wQX0W96 #schools #education #teaching #edusky
Year 8 diagnostic tests: Making them worthwhile - SecEd
The DfE is planning diagnostic statutory year 8 English and maths tests. Explore the challenges of effective assessment
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 11:53 AM
✍️ Assessment expert, David Simcock, has written a blog post for @seced.bsky.social about the introduction of new diagnostic maths and English tests for year 8.
Click on the link in the post below to read the blog. 👇
Click on the link in the post below to read the blog. 👇
Our CEO, Carole Willis, is a guest on the new episode of The Rest Is Money, hosted by @stephmcgovern.bsky.social.
Carole discusses the findings from our recent #Skills2035 Programme & the extensive changes required to build a system of lifelong learning.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧
Carole discusses the findings from our recent #Skills2035 Programme & the extensive changes required to build a system of lifelong learning.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧
December 29, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Our CEO, Carole Willis, is a guest on the new episode of The Rest Is Money, hosted by @stephmcgovern.bsky.social.
Carole discusses the findings from our recent #Skills2035 Programme & the extensive changes required to build a system of lifelong learning.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧
Carole discusses the findings from our recent #Skills2035 Programme & the extensive changes required to build a system of lifelong learning.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧
📩 The final NFER Direct for this year has now been sent to subscribers, and it features new commentary on teachers' pay from 2026, skills of the future workforce, and much more.
To read the newsletter or subscribe to future editions, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP
To read the newsletter or subscribe to future editions, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP
December 22, 2025 at 12:06 PM
📩 The final NFER Direct for this year has now been sent to subscribers, and it features new commentary on teachers' pay from 2026, skills of the future workforce, and much more.
To read the newsletter or subscribe to future editions, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP
To read the newsletter or subscribe to future editions, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP
Teachers pay has grown slower than average earnings in real terms since 2010. The DfE has recommended a rise for teachers of 6.5% between 2026/27 and 2028/29, but new OBR forecasts suggest that might not be enough to maintain competitiveness.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/3KMbSWU
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/3KMbSWU
December 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Teachers pay has grown slower than average earnings in real terms since 2010. The DfE has recommended a rise for teachers of 6.5% between 2026/27 and 2028/29, but new OBR forecasts suggest that might not be enough to maintain competitiveness.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/3KMbSWU
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/3KMbSWU