Education Blog

The Schools in England Blog

Expert guides, exam tips and practical advice from experienced educators. Everything parents and students need to navigate England's school system.

35 Articles
5 Topics
3 Expert Authors
A Year 6 child writing in a SATs exam paper at a bright primary school classroom in England Exams & Qualifications
A Parent's Guide to SATs: Why They Matter at Year 2 and Year 6
Everything parents need to know about SATs in England: what Year 2 and Year 6 tests involve, how results work, and how to support your child without adding stress.
IC
Imogen Clarke
8 min
Children engaged in outdoor learning activities in a woodland Forest School setting in England SEND & Alternative Education
Forest Schools: Why Outdoor Learning Is Becoming a Trend in England
Discover what Forest Schools are, how they work, and why outdoor learning is booming across England. A guide for parents considering this nature-based approach.
ER
Emmett Richardson
9 min
Flat lay of British school uniform items including blazer, shirt, tie and shoes with a price tag visible Practical Advice
The Cost of School Uniforms: New Laws and How to Find Second-Hand Options
Discover how much school uniforms cost in England, what the 2021 Uniform Act requires schools to do, and practical ways to reduce costs including grants and second-hand schemes.
CW
Christopher Walton
8 min
Aerial map of a British suburb showing school catchment area boundaries with coloured zones English Education System
Catchment Areas Explained: How Your Postcode Determines Your School Choices
Understand how school catchment areas work in England — how distance is measured, what the priority order means, and how to check if your postcode qualifies.
CW
Christopher Walton
9 min
Exterior of a prestigious British private school with a financial document overlay representing VAT on fees Education Trends
The Impact of VAT on Private School Fees: 2025/2026 Update
The UK removed the VAT exemption for private schools in January 2025. Find out how much fees have risen, which schools were most affected, and what it means for 2026.
CW
Christopher Walton
10 min
British sixth-form students in three different learning environments representing A-Levels, BTECs and T-Levels Exams & Qualifications
A-Levels vs. BTECs vs. T-Levels: Which Path Is Right for Your Teenager?
Compare A-Levels, BTECs and T-Levels in 2026. Understand assessment styles, UCAS points, university acceptance and which pathway suits your teenager best.
CW
Christopher Walton
9 min
A specialist teacher supporting a student with dyslexia using colourful learning aids in a modern English classroom SEND & Alternative Education
Dyslexia and ADHD in the Classroom: How English Schools Support Neurodiversity
Learn how English schools identify and support pupils with dyslexia and ADHD, from SEN Support to exam access arrangements and practical advice for parents.
ER
Emmett Richardson
9 min
A healthy school lunch tray representing free school meals in England Practical Advice
Free School Meals: Who Is Eligible and How to Apply in 2026
Understand the 2026 eligibility criteria for Free School Meals in England. Learn who qualifies, how to apply, and why registering unlocks vital Pupil Premium funding.
ER
Emmett Richardson
6 min
Diverse students of different ages walking in a modern British school corridor English Education System
What are Key Stages? A Guide to KS1, KS2, KS3, and KS4
Confused by KS1, KS2, KS3, and KS4? Our plain-English guide explains the Key Stages of the English education system, school years, ages, and critical assessments.
IC
Imogen Clarke
6 min
A secondary school teacher collecting mobile phones from students at a classroom door phone storage holder Education Trends
Mobile Phone Bans in UK Schools: What the Latest Government Guidance Says
The UK government's 2024 statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools explained. What schools must do, exemptions for medical needs, and what the evidence says about phone bans.
CW
Christopher Walton
7 min
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