Department for Education Legislation
50 statutory instruments made by the Department for Education, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.
The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (England) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Education Act 2002
The 2025 order established new pay and conditions for school teachers in England, based on an independent review body's recommendations and in accordance with the Education Act 2002, replacing the 2024 order.
The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (England) Order 2025, effective September 1st, 2025, sets the pay and working conditions for school teachers in England.
It incorporates recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB), a process mandated by the Education Act 2002.
The order references a separate document detailing the specific pay and conditions and revokes the 2024 order.
The order extends to England and Wales, applying specifically to teachers in England.
The Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Economic Development and Construction Act 2009
The order amended nine Combined Authorities Orders, granting them additional powers to fund technical education qualifications and pathways to occupational competence, while excluding specific age groups and apprenticeship training.
This order amends existing orders governing nine Combined Authorities in England, granting them powers under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to provide financial resources for approved technical education qualifications and steps towards occupational competence.
These powers are not applicable to apprenticeships or individuals under 19 or under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.
The order received approval from each House of Parliament and involved prior public consultation.
The Childcare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Childcare Act 2006
The 2025 regulations amended existing childcare legislation, updating early years frameworks, assessment methods, and data collection processes, and introduced the Experience-Based Route for early years practitioners.
The Childcare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2025 amend four existing pieces of legislation: the Local Authority Targets (Well-Being of Young Children) Regulations 2007, the Early Years Foundation Stage (Learning and Development Requirements) Order 2007, the Childcare (Provision of Information About Young Children) (England) Regulations 2009, and the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations 2012.
Key changes include updating references to assessment scales, incorporating revised versions of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory frameworks, and introducing the Experience-Based Route (EBR) for early years practitioners.
The amendments aim to improve data collection, strengthen safeguarding, and streamline the regulatory framework for childcare in England.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
The regulations amended existing legislation to reflect the abolition of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the transfer of its functions to the Secretary of State.
These regulations amend several existing UK statutory instruments to reflect the abolition of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the subsequent transfer of its functions to the Secretary of State.
Specifically, the regulations replace references to the Institute with the Secretary of State in the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 and amend the Apprenticeships (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2017, removing the Institute’s power to charge fees for evaluating apprenticeship assessments.
Additionally, they remove the Institute from listings of public bodies in the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017 and the Trade Union (Deduction of Union Subscriptions from Wages in the Public Sector) Regulations 2024.
The regulations came into force on July 2nd, 2025.
The School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Education Act 1996
The 2025 regulations amended the 2007 School Travel Regulations to update the definition of 'child with no fixed abode', addressing legislative changes caused by the revocation of the 2006 regulations.
These regulations amend the 2007 School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) Regulations to update the definition of 'child who has no fixed abode'.
The amendment replaces the previous definition, which referenced a now-revoked regulation, with a gender-neutral version mirroring the original wording.
The regulations came into force on June 30th, 2025, and apply to England and Wales.
The Higher Education (Registration Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Higher Education and Research Act 2017
The 2025 regulations amended the 2019 Higher Education (Registration Fees) (England) Regulations, increasing registration fees for English higher education institutions by 3.9%, effective August 1st, 2025.
The Higher Education (Registration Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective July 1st, 2025, amend the 2019 regulations to increase registration fees for English higher education institutions by 3.9%, aligning with inflation.
The new fees, payable from August 1st, 2025, are based on the number of full-time equivalent students and are determined by a revised fee schedule.
The regulations are supported by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and Treasury consent, aiming to fund the Office for Students' oversight of higher education in England.
The Apprenticeships (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Children and Learning Act 2009
The 2025 regulations amended the 2017 Apprenticeships (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, reducing the minimum duration for apprenticeship practical periods and training from 12 to 8 months.
The Apprenticeships (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective August 1st, 2025, amend the 2017 regulations to shorten the minimum duration of practical training periods for English apprenticeships from 12 to 8 months.
This applies to both standard and alternative apprenticeship arrangements.
The regulations were made by the Minister of State at the Department for Education and extend to England and Wales.
No significant impact on the public, private, or voluntary sectors is anticipated.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (Commencement) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
The regulations brought into force various provisions of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025, transferring functions and property to the Secretary of State and abolishing the Institute.
These regulations set the commencement dates for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025.
Key provisions, including the transfer of the Institute's property, rights, and liabilities to the Secretary of State, come into effect the day after the regulations are made.
Further provisions, including the transfer of functions and the abolition of the Institute, take effect on June 1st, 2025, at 2:00 a.m.
The regulations aim to streamline governance and clarify responsibilities, but potential negative consequences such as increased bureaucracy or disruption to existing structures are possible.