An evaluation of the impact of Aila, an AI-powered lesson assistant that support teachers with lesson planning and resource creation, on teacher workload.

NFER Co-Head of Policy and Practice Jude Hillary has responded to the Chancellor’s announcement on apprenticeships and the re-introduction of the Union Learning Fund.

NFER responds to Government plans for new vocational GCSEs from 2029, highlighting opportunities, work experience, subject choice and inequality.

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

NFER conducted a randomised controlled effectiveness trial into the Mathematical Reasoning is a programme designed by the University of Oxford to improve the maths attainment of Year 2 pupils (ages si...

As Parliament returns from recess, there is no shortage of policy challenges confronting Andy Burnham’s new government. To spell out the difficult choices that lie ahead, Resolution Foundation and UK ...

PISA 2025 provides an internationally comparable perspective on the knowledge, skills and experiences of Scotland’s 15 year olds. This is a summary of the key insights from the 2025 study.

NFER’s evaluation of the Enrichment Partnerships Pilot explores how the programme was delivered, its impact on enrichment opportunities and pupil participation, and lessons for future delivery.

NFER’s Research Director, Jenna Julius, will be holding a session to discuss high-SEND schools at the researchED Annual National Conference in London.

NFER Research Director Jenna Julius examines how changes to free school meals and school uniform requirements may help families facing cost-of-living pressures and what more is needed.

NFER Research Director Jenna Julius examines how changes to free school meals and school uniform requirements may help families facing cost-of-living pressures and what more is needed.

NFER Research Director Jenna Julius examines how changes to free school meals and school uniform requirements may help families facing cost-of-living pressures and what more is needed.

YouTube video by NFER

The 2026 National Reference Test results are out. They show a long-term trend of slightly improved attainment in GCSE maths, but not in English language. To ensure standards are maintained, we told ex...

Education Workforce Lead Jack Worth examines the latest teacher workforce trends, highlighting improvements in recruitment and retention alongside ongoing pressures on support staff.

Five to Twelve is a new longitudinal study that aims to understand educational and wellbeing outcomes and how they are linked to social inequalities. It follows children through primary education in E...

Education Workforce Lead Jack Worth examines the latest teacher workforce trends, highlighting improvements in recruitment and retention alongside ongoing pressures on support staff.

Senior Research Manager Dr Emma Moore blogs about the complex challenge of tackling persistent absence in English secondary schools,

NFER Co-Head of Policy and Practice Jude Hillary has responded to plans to broaden access to technical education, highlighting the need for careful planning, investment and support for schools and col...

Deteriorating pupil wellbeing is likely to be a major factor influencing school attendance, according to new research, with increased social media use and online bullying linked to the decline.

This study explored the link between pupil wellbeing and school attendance through 10 secondary school case studies, examining the causes of persistent absence and the effectiveness of school support in helping pupils return to education.

The government has announced significant changes to FSM eligibility from September onwards. But what do these changes mean for schools, and what are the wider implications for understanding how the a...

NFER research finds NELI Preschool helped children make two additional months’ language progress, with benefits across backgrounds and settings.

NFER research finds NELI Preschool helped children make two additional months’ language progress, with benefits across backgrounds and settings.

NFER research finds all pupils benefit from language teaching in the early years – and it could have a real impact on their later education

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) and Ipsos have been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver the next phase of the Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders study...

In a new blog, we explore how rising SEND rates and falling pupil numbers are affecting primary schools in England. This analysis examines where these trends overlap and what they could mean for schoo...

A major new research project will provide an updated and expanded analysis of ethnic diversity across England's education workforce.

NFER responds to Government's acceptance of 2026 and 2027 teacher pay recommendations