30 July 2026
Blog: The career ladder is missing its first rung
NFER Research Director Luke Bocock discusses how the decline of entry-level jobs is making it harder for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to begin and build sustainable careers.
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28 July 2026
NFER comment on the Prime Minister’s plans for technical education reforms
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 colleges.
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28 July 2026
Blog: Tackling absence isn’t just about getting pupils through the gates
Senior Research Manager Dr Emma Moore blogs about the complex challenge of tackling persistent absence in English secondary schools,
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23 July 2026
New research suggests pupil wellbeing challenges fuelling persistent school absence rates
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.
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20 July 2026
It’s time to start planning for changes to FSM eligibility
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 attainment of disadvantaged pupils is changing?
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16 July 2026
NFER responds to new National Pupil Projections
NFER Senior Economist Michael Scott has responded to National Pupil Projections showing primary and secondary pupil numbers in England are forecast to fall further and faster than expected.
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