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Strengthening oversight of partnership delivery in higher education : Government consultation : January 2025

Guidance
Initial teacher training
(ITT): accreditation for the
academic year 2026 to
2027
Find out about eligibility and how to
become an accredited provider of ITT for
the academic year 2026 to 2027.
From:
Department for Education
Published
26 February 2025
Applies to England
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Home Education, training and skills Teaching and leadership
Teacher training and professional development Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
Contents
Accreditation process—
Eligibility criteria—
Application guidance—
Application timeline for academic year 2026 to 2027—
Contact—
This guidance is for organisations who wish to apply to
become an accredited ITT provider and deliver from
the academic year 2026 to 2027.
Information will be made available in Autumn 2025 for
organisations seeking accreditation from the academic
year 2027 to 2028.
Accreditation process
Organisations who deliver ITT leading to qualified
teacher status (QTS) must be accredited by the
Department for Education (DfE). Since September
2024, all accredited ITT providers have been
delivering courses that incorporate the new quality
requirements, embedded into the  current ITT criteria.
This targeted accreditation round will provide an
opportunity for eligible organisations to demonstrate
their ability to meet the new quality requirements and
provide a smooth transition from any existing
partnership arrangements.
DfE ran an expression of interest (EOI) exercise in
November 2024 for eligible organisations to register
their interest in the accreditation round. Eligible
organisations who did not submit an EOI are not
prevented from making an application.
The assessment for this accreditation process will
include a written and verbal submission. Further
information relating to the application process will be
issued directly to applicants in due course.
Eligibility criteria
You can only provide courses that lead to a
recommendation for QTS if you are accredited by the
DfE.
To be eligible to apply in this accreditation round to
deliver in the academic year 2026 to 2027, applicants
must meet all the following criteria:
have previously held accreditation to deliver ITT
leading to QTS
be delivering as a lead partner during academic year
2024 to 2025
have not received two consecutive ‘requires
improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ judgements from
Ofsted in the previous inspection cycle (2021 to
2024)
Application guidance
All potential applicants must complete the ‘Apply for
Initial Teacher Training Accreditation’ form to declare
their intended year of delivery. Forms must be
received by 11:59pm on 16 March 2025.
Submission of the form will generate an application
reference code which applicants must note and use in
all future communications throughout this accreditation
process.
On 7 March 2025, following eligibility checks,
organisations for 2026 to 2027 delivery who have
submitted the form will be sent an applicant pack. The
pack will contain further information on next steps and
guidance to support their written and verbal
submissions.
For the written submission, applicants will submit a
curriculum portfolio to demonstrate how their
curriculum meets the quality requirements in
the ITT criteria. The submission window will remain
open for one calendar month between March and April
2025.
For the verbal submission, all applicants will receive an
invitation to interview using MS Teams. At interview,
applicants will be asked to deliver a presentation to the
panel, and to answer a range of questions to further
demonstrate how they meet the quality requirements,
building on evidence supplied in the written
submission.
Following both the written and verbal submissions, an
assessment will be made and moderated by panels
of ITT experts.
Application timeline for academic
year 2026 to 2027
Date Activity
26
February
2025
‘Apply for Initial Teacher Training
Accreditation’ form opens
7 March
2025
Written submission window opens
16
March
2025
‘Apply for Initial Teacher Training
Accreditation’ form closes
6 April
2025
Written submission window closes
28 April
2025
Verbal submission window opens
9 May
2025
Verbal submission window closes
By 30
June
2025
Outcomes of the accreditation round for
academic year 2026 to 2027 delivery
published
Contact
If you are an eligible provider and have any queries
concerning the ITT accreditation round, including any
accessibility requirements, email
itt.accreditation@education.gov.uk
If you are a potential candidate wishing to gain qualified
teacher status (QTS), visit Get into Teaching.
Published 26 February 2025
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Explore the topic
Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
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Initial teacher training (ITT) : accreditation for the academic year 2026 to 2027 : Find out about eligibility and how to become an accredited provider of ITT for the academic year 2026 to 2027 : 26 February 2025

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National pupil projections
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Home Find statistics and data National pupil projections
Produced by Department for Education
This annual release provides national projections for the
number of pupils in schools in England by type of school
and age.
These statistics are calculated based on the Office for
National Statistics (ONS) population estimates and
projections, monthly birth registration data up to and
including 2023, and school census data up to and
including January 2025. 
The pupil projections use the most recent ONS data
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rebased back to 2011 to take account of the 2021
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ONS latest mid-2022 based projections (opens in new
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These mid-2022 based projections include the results of
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assumptions, and alternative scenarios (variant
projections). These ONS projections assume a higher
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longer life expectancy than in the previous (2021-based
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The latest long-term international migration provisional
release was published after the ONS population
estimates and projections used in our modelling. It
showed that for the calendar year ending December
2024 indicated long-term net migration is down by
almost 50% compared to December 2023. This follows
a 20% reduction seen in year ending June 2024
(compared to the year ending June 2023), which is taken
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National pupil projections
data and continue to use the principal projection variant,
as the impact of using the low migration variant is
minimal and there is still uncertainty around future
migration.
For more information, please see the methodology
document.
All projections are subject to uncertainty as they depend
on the information available at any given moment in time
and cannot allow for future changes in demographic
behaviour. 
Due to the increased uncertainty in long-term net
migration assumptions, pupil projections in this release
are published up to 2030, rather than up to 2035 as
would be the standard. The previous model published in
2024 only projected to 2028 due to increased
uncertainty in longer term fertility assumptions at that
time, therefore there are some references to 2028 in this
publication when making comparisons.
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Headline facts and figures - 2025
Number of pupils
4,205,117
in nursery & primary schools by 2030, an
expected fall of 300,000 from the population
in 2025
Number of pupils
3,135,086
in secondary schools by 2030, an expected
fall of 97,000 from the population in 2025
The population attending primary and nursery schools peaked in 2019 and the
figures have been gradually falling since then. This is primarily due to the
number of births generally falling since 2012. 
Since 2018, the population in secondary schools had been steadily increasing
by around 2% a year until 2023 where it then slowed down to a 1.3% increase in
2024. The latest census shows a 0.1% decrease in 2025. Projections data
indicate that the secondary school population is likely to have plateaued
between 2024 and 2025, will remain at a similar level until 2026, and is then
projected to start declining slowly. This is two years earlier than the peak
projected last year but may be subject to change if pupil numbers bounce back,
fluctuate, or plateau for a few years.
The population in state-funded special schools has seen year on year increase
of 6% between 2018 and 2022 and 5% since 2023. Projections data indicate
that numbers are expected to peak in 2026 - 2027.
The number of children in alternative provision schools dropped substantially in
2021 (by 18%) and 2022 (by a further 9%) as the pandemic reduced the
opportunities to refer children. Figures returned to the approximate pre-
Summary Table
nursey and primary schools 2030 proj…
secondary schools 2030 projection
pandemic levels in 2024 and increased a further 5% in 2025. Projected figures
are  expected to peak in 2026 – 2027 then gradually fall. However, the level of
change seen in 2021 and 2022 that is used in the modelling means that this
projection is more uncertain than usual. 
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If you have a specific enquiry about National pupil projections statistics and data:
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Guidance
Universal Credit if you
have children
English Cymraeg
If you’re responsible for a child, you may
be entitled to an extra amount of Universal
Credit and support with childcare costs.
From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
17 November 2025
Last updated
4 December 2025 — See all updates
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Guidance for Northern Ireland
Related content
Collection
Universal Credit:
information for employers
Universal Credit: for
claimants who receive a
Migration Notice letter
Universal Credit:
information for stakeholders
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Home Welfare Universal Credit
Contents
Extra amount for children—
Extra amount if your child has a disability—
Support with childcare costs—
What you need to do to get Universal Credit—
Foster carers—
Family and friends (kinship) carers—
Extra amount for children
If you get Universal Credit, you could get an extra
amount to help support your children if they normally
live with you.  
Universal Credit pays the extra amount for your first
and second children. You are only entitled to extra
payments for third or subsequent children if exceptions
apply.
The 2-child limit will end from April 2026
Until then, you are only entitled to payments for third
and subsequent children if exceptions apply.
The benefit cap will stay the same.
Children aged up to 16
You can get the extra amount for your children until the
31 August after their 16th birthday.  
You may stop getting the extra child amount if, for
example, your child:  
leaves full-time, non-advanced education or
approved training  
no longer lives with you 
goes into local council care (except for respite
care)  
is in prison, or in custody awaiting trial or sentence
Young people aged 16 to 19
You will continue to get payments for a young person
and partners
Universal Credit: detailed
information for claimants
Universal Credit:
information for landlords
How Universal Credit works with other benefits and
payments for children
—
aged 16 to 19 in your household if they are either:  
in full time non-advanced education like GCSEs, A
levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, SVQs or NVQs up
to level 3  
doing an approved training course that is unpaid and
not part of a job contract   
An education course is considered full-time if it
involves at least 12 hours a week of lessons and
practical work during term time. It does not have to
lead to a formal qualification.  
Before your child reached 19, they must have started,
been enrolled in, or accepted a place on the education
or training.  
You cannot get Universal Credit payments for young
people who are on advanced courses. 
Find out what types of courses are counted as ‘non-
advanced’ and ‘advanced’ education for Universal
Credit.
Approved training
The course or training must not be paid for by your
child’s employer or included in a job contract, for
example an apprenticeship.
Check with your child’s training provider if you’re not
sure whether their training is approved.
Reporting your child’s education or training
details 
Changes to your child’s education will affect how much
Universal Credit you are paid.  
For example, you should report a change using
your Universal Credit account straight away if your
child:  
changes their course or training  
finishes their course or training early  
If you’ve told us your child’s course end date
The extra amount of Universal Credit for your child will
stop when their course ends. The course end date is
the date your child is no longer enrolled on, or
accepted for, their course.  
If their course end date is not correct, or they are now
enrolled on or accepted for a different course, you
must let us know. Tell us the correct date by reporting
a change of circumstances under ‘children and other
people who live with you’ using your Universal Credit
account.    
If we do not have a course end date
We may occasionally contact you to check your child is
still in education or training if we do not know when their
course will end.  
When your child turns 19
Payments for young people who are still on eligible
education courses or training continue until the 31
August after their 19th birthday.  
After this, if your child is continuing their course or
training, they might be able to apply for Universal Credit
as a student.  
If your child is 18 or over and not in education or
training 
If your child is no longer enrolled on, or accepted for,
eligible education or training, they can apply for
Universal Credit themselves.  
Extra amount if your child has a
disability
You might get an extra monthly amount if any of your
children are disabled. You’ll get this extra amount no
matter how many children you have.   
The disabled child addition will be paid at either a lower
or higher rate. 
The lower rate is for a child who:  
receives any rate of either part of Disability Living
Allowance (DLA), except the highest rate of the care
part  
receives any rate of either part of Personal
Independence Payment (PIP), except the enhanced
rate of the daily living part  
The higher rate is for a child who:  
receives the highest rate of the care part of DLA  
receives the enhanced rate of PIP daily living part  
is blind or severely sight impaired  
Support with childcare costs 
You can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs
if you’re working.  
You might also be able to get help if you must pay
childcare costs upfront and if one of the following
applies: 
you’re starting work 
you’re increasing the hours you work, for example
you’ve moved from part-time work to full-time work 
Find out more about Universal Credit support with
childcare costs. 
What you need to do to get Universal
Credit 
If you have children and make a Universal Credit claim,
you will need to nominate a main carer. If you are a
lone parent, you will automatically be the main carer.  
If you’re not the main carer, and not working full-
time, you’re usually expected to look for full-time work.
If you’re the main carer, what’s expected of you in
return for getting Universal Credit will depend on the
age of the youngest child in your household:
Age of
your
youngest
child
Your responsibilities
Under 1  You will not be expected to look for
work.
Age 1  You will not be expected to look for
work. The only work-related activity you
will be expected to do is to have
regular appointments to discuss a
future move into work.
Age 2  You will not be expected to look for
work. The work-related activities you
will be expected to do are having
regular appointments with Universal
Credit and work preparation activities,
such as writing your CV.
Age
between
3 and 12
 You will be expected to work up to 30
hours a week, or spend up to 30 hours
a week on work-related activities such
as applying for jobs.
Age 13
and
above
 You will be expected to work up to 35
hours a week, or spend up to 35 hours
a week on work-related activities such
as applying for jobs.
Your work-related activities will depend on your
individual circumstances, and may be further reduced
or removed if you have a health condition, disability, or
other caring responsibilities. Find out more about when
your work-related activities may be reduced. 
Claimant commitment 
A claimant commitment is your record of the
responsibilities that you have accepted in return for
receiving Universal Credit, and the consequences of
not meeting them. Your Universal Credit payments
could be stopped or reduced if you do not meet your
responsibilities. This is called a sanction.  
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple both of you
will need to accept a claimant commitment. You will
each have your own claimant commitment, and yours
may be affected if your partner starts work or their
circumstances change. 
Report a change of circumstances 
You must report changes to your circumstances as
soon as they happen, so you keep getting the right
amount of Universal Credit each month.  
Report a change of circumstances by signing into your
online Universal Credit account and selecting ‘report a
change’.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may
not automatically share information across the different
benefits it manages. If you claim multiple benefits, you
might need to report any changes separately for each
one, following the specific reporting processes for
each benefit. 
Foster carers 
Extra amount of Universal Credit 
If you’re a foster carer, you cannot get the extra
amount of Universal Credit for the child you are
fostering, including the disabled child extra amount. 
Support with childcare costs 
If you are in paid work outside of your fostering role,
Universal Credit may help cover your childcare costs.
What you need to do to get Universal Credit
If you’re the main foster carer in a fostering couple, or
a lone foster carer, the following will apply. 
If the child is under one year old
You will not need to do any work-related activity or
attend appointments. You can choose to do activities
to prepare for work. 
If the child is aged one to 16
You will only need to attend appointments to talk about
future work plans. You can choose to do activities to
prepare for work. If the child has care needs, your
work-related activities, including appointments, could
be reduced or removed.  
If you’re between placements 
If you had a placement in the last 8 weeks and expect
to have another soon, you will only need to attend
appointments to talk about future work plans. You need
to show that you plan to continue fostering.  
Family and friends (kinship) carers 
You are a family and friends carer if you are caring for
a child because: 
they have no parents 
their parents are unable to care for them 
if you did not care for them, they would likely be
looked after by a local council because of concerns
about their welfare 
In England and Wales a family and friends carer is also
known as a connected person or kinship carer. In
Scotland they are known as a connected persons carer
or informal kinship carer.   
Extra amount of Universal Credit 
If you’re a kinship carer of a non-looked after child, you
will usually get the extra amount for children, including
any disabled child extra amount, if the child normally
lives with you. 
If you’re a kinship carer of a looked after child, you will
not normally get the extra amount for children, or the
disabled child extra amount, if the child does not
normally live with you. 
Support with childcare costs 
If you’re already working or choose to start work,
Universal Credit may help cover your childcare costs.
What you need to do to get Universal Credit 
As a family and friends or kinship carer, you do not
need to work or do work-related activity if both the
following apply: 
the child joined your household within the past 12
months 
the child is aged between one and 16 years old 
At the end of the 12-month period, the work-related
activities you need to do will be based on the youngest
child’s age.  
If you’re not already working, you must attend
appointments to discuss plans for a future move into
work.  
How Universal Credit works with other
benefits and payments for children  
Tax-Free Childcare scheme
If you claim Universal Credit, you cannot open a Tax-
Free Childcare account until you close your Universal
Credit claim.
Child Benefit
Universal Credit is paid separately to Child Benefit.
Child Benefit will only affect your Universal Credit
payments if the benefit cap applies.
Child Maintenance Service payments 
Any Child Maintenance Service payments you receive
will not affect your Universal Credit payments. 
Your Universal Credit payments could be reduced if
you owe money for child maintenance.
Published 17 November 2025
Last updated 4 December 2025
4 December 2025
The Universal Credit extra amount for children '2-child limit' will end
from April 2026. It remains in place until then.
17 November 2025
First published.
Get emails about this page
Contents
Explore the topic
Universal Credit
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News
Guidance and regulation
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Disabled people
Driving and transport
Education and learning
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Environment and countryside
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Policy papers and
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All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where
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Universal Credit if you have children : Last updated 4 December 2025

National Behaviour Survey : Findings from academic year 2024 to 2025 : November 2025

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