School Attendance
14 October 2026

Blog: The Attendance Challenge

Improving school attendance starts with understanding what lies behind absence, writes Senior Research Manager Dr Emma Moore who discusses our latest research into this ongoing challenge.
Read more
Lorna Cocking
12 October 2026

NFER Chair of Trustees Lorna Cocking MBE steps down

Lorna Cocking MBE has stepped down as Chair of NFER’s Board of Trustees, after more than a decade of valued contribution to our organisation.
Read more
NFER Tests Additional Needs
01 October 2026

NFER Tests updated with new national benchmarks

NFER has today launched new restandardisation for NFER Tests, providing schools with updated benchmarks based on a nationally representative sample of 177,000 pupils. 
Read more
NFER Apprenticeship Research
28 September 2026

NFER response to the Chancellor’s announcement on apprenticeships and the re-introduction of the Union Learning Fund

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.
Read more
Gcse Entries 3
24 September 2026

NFER statement on new vocational GCSEs

NFER Co-Head of Policy and Practice, Jude Hillary, has responded to Government plans for new vocational GCSEs from 2029, highlighting opportunities, work experience, subject choice and inequality.
Read more
NRT Test Markers
14 September 2026

National Reference Test dates announced for 2027

The dates of the annual National Reference Test (NRT) have been announced by Ofqual. It will be held between 22 February and 05 March 2027.
Read more