A pressing topic on the agenda today, as EPI and @teachfirst.bsky.social brought together policymakers, school leaders and sector experts to discuss persistent disadvantage in schools, marking a new report drawing on research commissioned from EPI. Full report: www.teachfirst.org.uk/reports/clas...

Last night we celebrated ten years of EPI - great to have the Secretary of State @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social join us and speak about evidence-based policy and the focus on disadvantage that sits at the heart of our work. Thanks to @aqaeducation.bsky.social for partnering with us and hosting.

EPI is proud to launch the Early Years Observatory (EYO) - a dedicated hub for data, policy analysis, and commentary on the lives of children under five in England. To mark the launch, we’ve published new analysis, commentary, and explainers, with more rolling out regularly. A thread 🧵

EPI is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Rose Luckin to its Board of Trustees. Rose is a leading expert on technology in education, Professor Emerita at UCL, and Founder and CEO of Educate Ventures Research (EVR). Read the announcement: epi.org.uk/comments/ros...

Great to be joined by so many colleagues for today's launch of our latest report with @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social: Beyond Teacher Assessed Grades: Post 16 Education Choices and COVID-19 🧵

Ambition in the schools white paper is clear, but its success will depend on the detail still to come and on support that extends beyond schools themselves. Delivering change will require coordinated action across services. Read EPI’s response to the white paper: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

"If we build it – a stronger team around the child that doesn’t require an EHCP – they will come, and EHCPs will gradually revert to being a less frequently required backstop." Read @jojohutchinson.bsky.social on SEND reform and the schools white paper: epi.org.uk/publications...

With the schools white paper imminent, EPI’s @jojohutchinson.bsky.social lays out the case for an approach that balances fiscal reality with strategic vision - prioritising visible improvements to the experience of children and their families. Full comment piece here: epi.org.uk/publications...

How are MATs using AI across teaching, learning, and administration? Our latest report - supported by @nuffieldfoundation.org - finds that limited evidence on AI’s impact leaves multi‑academy trusts navigating a “wild west” market. Read the full report: epi.org.uk/publications...

New exploratory analysis examined behaviour policies from 45 state schools across three London boroughs. We found that written policies vary in ways that align, to an extent, with outcomes linked to pupil wellbeing. Read the full analysis: epi.org.uk/publications...

What does the reliance on private providers in early education and care mean for children in England? Dr Tammy Campbell analyses the latest DfE statistics to ask if this shift is desirable for public spending and children's experiences. Read the full blog: epi.org.uk/publications...

"Efforts to tackle the disadvantage gap in education will only be successful within a wider effort to address the causes and effects of poverty." Read EPI's response to the Government's Child Poverty Strategy: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

New from EPI: a summary paper on EdTech decision-making and inclusive practice. Drawing on roundtables with policymakers, education leaders, and MAT representatives, this paper offers a synthesis of expert insights on navigating the complex EdTech landscape. Full paper: epi.org.uk/publications...

"While there is a clear and imminent need to address the rising costs of SEND provision, the Government must not cut school funding to meet these pressures." Read EPI's response to the Budget 2025: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

EPI is searching for our next CEO 📣 Are you an experienced leader with a passion for education and social justice? Help EPI make the case for better outcomes by continuing to deliver world-class research and influence policy at the highest levels. Find out more: epi.org.uk/jobs/chief-e...

New EPI analysis, part of a @nuffieldfoundation.org funded project, tracks student progress from school to the workplace. We found that GCSE attainment casts a long shadow, entrenching the earnings gap for disadvantaged pupils from the age of 16. Read the full analysis: epi.org.uk/publications...

EPI's Chief Executive, @natalieperera.bsky.social, will step down at the end of January after a decade at the helm. We are deeply grateful for her outstanding leadership and wish her the very best in her new role at @aqaeducation.bsky.social Read the announcement: epi.org.uk/comments/nat...

Exploratory analysis of the early labour market outcomes of degree apprentices appears positive. One year after completing their course, the average young degree apprentice earned around double the salary of the average graduate (£36,785 vs £18,555) in the latest available data (2020-21).

The average degree apprentice was also a relatively high attainer during their time at school. Our analysis shows that degree apprentices have consistently had higher average attainment at GCSE than the UG cohort (where entry requirements have a wide variation across provider and course type).

Since their introduction, degree apprenticeships have grown rapidly, especially among 19–24-year-olds. But only around one in ten degree apprentices come from disadvantaged backgrounds; a lower share than among students at Russell Group universities.

EPI's latest report, "Degree Apprenticeships: An alternative to university?", funded by AL Elevation, finds that despite having high achievement rates and leading to competitive salaries, degree apprenticeships are not sufficiently inclusive.

Our Co-Director for Early Years and Wellbeing, @drtammycampbell.bsky.social, spoke to the Education Committee for the first session of its new inquiry into how the Gov't can improve support for children and families during the early years. Watch back here: committees.parliament.uk/work/9309/ea...

Today’s Curriculum and Assessment Review highlights mixed opinions on the Phonics Screening Check. This aligns with EPI research, which found mixed views - as well as no positive evidence that the Check's introduction improved later reading results: epi.org.uk/publications...

It's great to see the Government adopt EPI's 'months of learning' disadvantage gap measure for the first time in its CAR response. It's a key recognition of a measure that is intuitive, clear, and having a real impact across education, media, and policy.

The Government's response to the CAR sets out a "sensible direction of travel". The focus on oracy & accountability reforms is a positive step. However, the forthcoming white paper must be even more ambitious on SEND to deliver a system that works for all. Full comment: epi.org.uk/comments/gov...

How can we best support schools that are facing ever-tightening budgets? Join EPI and Capita on Monday 24th Nov to discuss the financial challenges schools face, the role of tech, and how policy can better respond to the diverse needs of schools. More info & register: epi.org.uk/events/how-a...

How does your background shape HE progression and secure job outcomes? The answer varies significantly across the four UK nations. Our new blog explores these national gaps, drawing on our @nuffieldfoundation.org funded project with @ox.ac.uk SKOPE. Read the full blog: epi.org.uk/publications...

The Government's Post-16 education & skills white paper is a step towards more flexible pathways for young people. We welcome the potential of these reforms, and continue to call for a 16-19 Student Premium to ensure young people get the support they need. Full comment: epi.org.uk/comments/com...

Read the full report here: epi.org.uk/publications...

Rounding off today’s panels with @aqaeducation.bsky.social We're joined by @robeastaway.bsky.social, Sarah Porretta (@youngenterprise.bsky.social), Baroness Spielman, and @schwitzer.bsky.social to discuss what’s needed from the curriculum and assessment system to help every child excel in maths.