New research report - Action Tutoring Year 6 Mathematics Programme Quasi-Experimental Impact Evaluation

We've published a new evaluation today which has explored the effectiveness of @actiontutoring.org.uk's volunteer-led tutoring aimed at disadvantaged pupils in primary schools.

Find out more 👉 bit.ly/3Q6gSrL

🗣️ | Our Senior Research Manager Matt Walker discussing our recent research on the distribution of SEND pupils across England’s mainstream schools at today’s @nuffieldfoundation.org event 👇🏻

High-SEND schools: Understanding the uneven distribution of pupils with SEND across England’s mainstream schools This interim report presents emerging insights into the uneven distribution of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across mainstream schools in England.

This afternoon from 2pm, three research teams, including one from NFER, will be presenting new findings on SEND at a @nuffieldfoundation.org event 👉 bit.ly/4vsdSpF

Our research explored the unequal distribution of pupils with SEND across England’s mainstream schools 👉 bit.ly/4ti20oY

Image promoting The Unlocking Youth Transitions Data series.

Learn more about the project and webinars 👇

bit.ly/41timP9

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Group of diverse secondary school pupils walking down a corridor.

As part of our ongoing research project with @adr-uk.bsky.social exploring evidence gaps in the field of youth transitions, we're hosting three webinars over the next two weeks that will offer insights on research design, using datasets & analysing social background.

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New blog post - Inclusion bases: Can they help solve the SEND crisis?

Inclusion bases: Can they help solve the SEND crisis? 🏫

In this blog post, Matt Walker discusses the challenges currently facing schools and whether this key reform could help going forward.

Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4sjl7gP

Our recently published Impact Review highlights the ways our research and influencing work in 2025 contributed to understanding and improving education.

Read the full review 👉 bit.ly/3NDbHyJ

image shows a teacher and several pupils in uniform, all smiling, colourised in purple

NEW POST: Matt Walker of the @thenfer.bsky.social discusses their research into the benefits and risks of Mainstream Inclusion Bases: Can they help solve the SEND crisis? www.specialneedsjungle.com/inclusion-ba...

Research Digest April 2026 The fifth issue of our Research Digest summarises recent reports and blogs, highlighting key findings and recommendations for policy makers and classroom practice.

📰 Latest Research Digest now available 📰

Our fifth research digest, which summarises the research and insights from the past few months, is now available to download from our website. This includes our full programme of Education Workforce research.

Read the summary 👉

New blog post - How DfE can meet 6,500 teacher target without missing the point

New blog post on securing teachers in the most needed areas

Our Education Workforce Research Lead, Jack Worth, discusses four ways which the Government could ensure they attract teachers in the areas they are most needed.

Read the post 👉 https://bit.ly/4tpRpI5

We would like to wish everyone a pleasant Easter weekend, particularly those working in and for schools and colleges. For a summary of the research we've recently published, take a look at our latest NFER Direct newsletter 👉 https://bit.ly/2MyAIsP

How DfE can meet 6,500 teacher target without missing the point Education Workforce Lead Jack Worth outlines four ways in which the Government can ensure they attract teachers in the areas where they are most needed.

New blog post on securing teachers in the most needed areas

Our Education Workforce Research Lead, Jack Worth, discusses four ways which the Government could ensure they attract teachers in the areas they are most needed.

Read the post 👉 bit.ly/4tpRpI5

NFER Impact Review 2025

We've published our latest Impact Review, the annual overview of the research insights we've generated to improve the lives of children and young people.

Download the full review 👉 bit.ly/3NDbHyJ

Could clear workforce roles help attract and retain more FE teachers? The government wants 6,500 more teachers in schools and colleges, but the FE workforce is a patchwork of roles and titles that may be complicating recruitment, progression and retention. Our Research ...

🏫 Recent analysis of the #FE workforce, funded by
@gatsbyed.bsky.social, found significant variety and variability in the job roles and sub-roles reported across colleges.

Our latest blog post, suggests that a more streamlined approach could support recruitment and retention. 👇

bit.ly/41Az0MC

📩 The latest edition of our NFER Direct newsletter has now been sent to subscribers, and it features details of our Education Workforce research programme, new SEND research, and much more...

To read the newsletter, or to subscribe to future issues, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP

State of the Education Workforce 2026: Summary A new Education Workforce 2026 Summary Report has been published, which is the culmination of a four-part research series on the education workforce covering early years staff, support staff, school t...

Having explored in detail the current state of the early years, school support staff, further education and school teacher workforces, we have brought together the key findings from our education workforce research programme into a summary report.

Find out more 👇 www.nfer.ac.uk/press-releas...

How DfE can meet 6,500 teacher target without ‘missing the point’ Hitting the target is one thing, but the government must also ensure that the right teachers are brought into the system, says the NFER’s Jack Worth

The DfE hitting its 6,500 new teacher target is one thing, but it must also ensure to attract teachers in the areas they are most needed, explains @thenfer.bsky.social’s @jackworth.bsky.social

We're thrilled to be heading up this incredibly exciting project alongside The HG Foundation, which can only happen thanks to partners like @thenfer.bsky.social!

For more from our Education Workforce research which we've published over the past few weeks, visit the following links 👇

🟣 Early years: bit.ly/4bG3B04
🟣 School support staff: bit.ly/4bcSWtw
🟣 FE teachers: bit.ly/47Crbtd
🟣 School teachers: bit.ly/4buVTqP
🟣 Summary report: bit.ly/4881nFD

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“The Government has set out ambitious plans to strengthen the education system — from expanding early years provision to delivering its pledge to recruit 6,500 new teachers. “We have found there is a wide range of differing challenges facing groups within the education workforce. A comprehensive, targeted approach that recognises the distinct challenges each workforce faces will be essential if the Government is to achieve its ambitions for a stronger, more sustainable education system.” Jack Worth Education Workforce Lead

🗣️ "A comprehensive, targeted approach will be essential if the Government is to achieve its ambitions for a stronger, more sustainable education system.”

@jackworth.bsky.social shares his thoughts following the publication of our Education Workforce summary report. 👇

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The Early Years Workforce in England Annual Report 2026 This report provides an overview of the early years workforce in England and identifies risks and challenges for recruitment and retention. It is funded by the Nuffield Foundation as part of an expanded series of annual labour market reports.

For more from the individual reports, please visit the following links 👇

🟣 Early years: bit.ly/4bG3B04
🟣 School support staff: bit.ly/4bcSWtw
🟣 FE staff: bit.ly/47Crbtd
🟣 School teacher: https://bit.ly/4buVTqP

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New research report - The Education Workforce in England: Summary Report 2026

🆕 | NFER publishes final report into the state of the education workforce in England in 2026.

We've now published an overview report which brings together the key findings from the four reports we've published over the past few weeks.

Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4881nFD

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We will be publishing a summary report tomorrow, highlighting the current state of the education workforce in England. This is the fifth and final report in a series funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org

Keep a look out for updates on our website and social media channels.

Young adults' skills have significantly improved since 2012, but 8.5 million adults in England still need support New research has revealed a striking divide in England's adult skills landscape.

Our new research has revealed a striking divide in England's adult skills landscape, with 8.5 million adults in England still in-need of support.

The report does however show a significant improvement in the skills of young adults skills since 2012.

Find out more 👇 www.nfer.ac.uk/press-releas...

📩 The next edition of our NFER Direct e-newsletter will be published at the end of this week.

For a summary of the latest news and commentary from our research experts, visit bit.ly/2MyAIsP to subscribe.

Teacher recruitment and retention improving but shortages persist in some subjects Our latest Annual Teacher Labour Market in England report shows that recruitment into initial teacher training (ITT) increased significantly in 2025/26, and that fewer teachers are also leaving the wo...

Our annual review of the Teacher Labour Market in England shows that recruitment into initial teacher training (ITT) increased significantly in the 2025/26 academic year, and that fewer school teachers are leaving the workforce each year.

Find out more 👇 www.nfer.ac.uk/press-releas...

Success of SEND reforms will hinge on whether staff can cope Matt Walker discusses the government's proposed SEND reforms, including the introduction of individual support plans.

✍️ New blog post on proposed SEND reforms in the Schools White Paper 📄

Senior Research Manager Matt Walker discusses the possible introduction of individual support plans (ISPs) for all pupils with SEND, and the potential challenges.

Read the post 👇

Teacher recruitment and retention improving but shortages persist in some subjects Our latest Annual Teacher Labour Market in England report shows that recruitment into initial teacher training (ITT) increased significantly in 2025/26, and that fewer teachers are also leaving the wo...

Find out more about the findings from our latest School Teacher Labour Market in England Annual Report 👇

www.nfer.ac.uk/press-releas... [2/2]

🗣️ “Following more than a decade of persistent teacher recruitment and retention challenges, it is encouraging to see some signs of improvement."

@jackworth.bsky.social shares his thoughts on our latest School Teacher Labour Market in England Annual Report, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org 👇 [1/2]

Teacher recruitment: Positive signs for 2026/27 but subject shortages persist - SecEd NFER reports improving teacher recruitment & retention but warns of subject shortages and falling competitiveness in pay

#Teacher recruitment: Chemistry & maths forecast to be above target for 2026/27. But languages, biology, D&T lagging behind. @jackworth.bsky.social @thenfer.bsky.social warn govt must boost bursaries & protect pay to meet future staffing needs in secondary #schools buff.ly/eJxnP85 #teaching