Department for Education

The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy in England. DfE is a ministerial department, supported by 14 agencies and public bodies.

Website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

Ministers

• The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP
  Secretary of State for Education
• The Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP
  Minister of State (Minister of State for Schools)
• The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP
  Minister of State (Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education)
• Claire Coutinho MP
  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing)
• Baroness Barran MBE
  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for the School System and Student Finance)

Petitions linked to this department

Sorted by date, most recent first

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• Add Welsh, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic languages to English national curriculum
  Open from Wednesday 1st October 2025 to Wednesday 1st April 2026
  82 signatures

• Do not fine parents for children missing school for family funerals abroad
  Open from Monday 29th September 2025 to Sunday 29th March 2026
  87 signatures

• Reduce the school week to three days a week
  Open from Friday 26th September 2025 to Thursday 26th March 2026
  313 signatures

• Create an independent early years funding review
  Open from Thursday 25th September 2025 to Wednesday 25th March 2026
  5,912 signatures

• Stop medical appointments counting against school attendance
  Open from Thursday 25th September 2025 to Wednesday 25th March 2026
  2,171 signatures

• Commission independent inquiry into delays in SEND education provision
  Open from Thursday 25th September 2025 to Wednesday 25th March 2026
  36,383 signatures

• Fund free uniform for children who get free school meals
  Open from Wednesday 24th September 2025 to Tuesday 24th March 2026
  45 signatures

• make level 3 painting and decorating available again
  Open from Friday 19th September 2025 to Thursday 19th March 2026
  31 signatures

• Review of Gender Identity and LGBT Education in Schools
  Open from Thursday 18th September 2025 to Wednesday 18th March 2026
  1,420 signatures

• Criminalise & legally require schools to tackle bullying in & out of school
  Open from Wednesday 17th September 2025 to Tuesday 17th March 2026
  18,892 signatures

• Fund security guards and CCTV on school premises & introduce new protocols
  Open from Tuesday 16th September 2025 to Monday 16th March 2026
  107 signatures

• Review Child Maintenance Service to disincentivise parents withholding custody
  Open from Tuesday 16th September 2025 to Monday 16th March 2026
  66 signatures

• Ban schools from giving after-school detentions
  Open from Thursday 11th September 2025 to Wednesday 11th March 2026
  144 signatures

• Require that schools allow uniform purchase from any supplier
  Open from Wednesday 10th September 2025 to Tuesday 10th March 2026
  93 signatures

• Work with the devolved governments to create UK-wide Civic Curriculum
  Open from Friday 5th September 2025 to Thursday 5th March 2026
  31 signatures

• Ban suspensions of primary school aged children with additional needs
  Open from Thursday 4th September 2025 to Wednesday 4th March 2026
  512 signatures

• Review school absence fines & CAP peak pricing of activities in school holidays
  Open from Wednesday 3rd September 2025 to Tuesday 3rd March 2026
  276 signatures

• Review, reform & means-test the state pension & scrap tuition fees
  Open from Friday 29th August 2025 to Saturday 28th February 2026
  50 signatures

• Provide maintenance loans to distance learners
  Open from Friday 29th August 2025 to Saturday 28th February 2026
  80 signatures

• Add Economics & Business to national curriculum (for entrepreneurial skills)
  Open from Thursday 28th August 2025 to Saturday 28th February 2026
  25 signatures

• Commit funding support to the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) program until 2029
  Open from Tuesday 26th August 2025 to Thursday 26th February 2026
  29 signatures

• Ban isolation rooms/booths in schools
  Open from Friday 22nd August 2025 to Sunday 22nd February 2026
  701 signatures

• Pass a law that schools cannot prohibit the use of personal devices
  Open from Thursday 21st August 2025 to Saturday 21st February 2026
  447 signatures

• Require all schools to provide mental health services to GCSE students
  Open from Wednesday 20th August 2025 to Friday 20th February 2026
  48 signatures

• Establish National Taskforce to Deliver Inclusive, Joined up SEND Reform
  Open from Tuesday 19th August 2025 to Thursday 19th February 2026
  448 signatures

• Require nurseries to allow funded childcare hours at all times & boost funding
  Open from Tuesday 19th August 2025 to Thursday 19th February 2026
  72 signatures

• Fund provision of holiday childcare & after school clubs for children with SEND
  Open from Monday 18th August 2025 to Wednesday 18th February 2026
  39 signatures

• Deduct neo-natal leave from return to work date for childcare funding purposes
  Open from Tuesday 12th August 2025 to Thursday 12th February 2026
  82 signatures

• Make Universities free for all
  Open from Friday 8th August 2025 to Sunday 8th February 2026
  211 signatures

• Body cameras for all social workers to enhance accountability
  Open from Thursday 7th August 2025 to Saturday 7th February 2026
  458 signatures

• Set minimum number of citizenship lesson hours, increase resources & training
  Open from Thursday 7th August 2025 to Saturday 7th February 2026
  112 signatures

• Introduce specific safeguarding regulation for extracurricular activities
  Open from Thursday 7th August 2025 to Saturday 7th February 2026
  1,034 signatures

• Extra Financial Support by the Government for Students in Further Education
  Open from Thursday 7th August 2025 to Saturday 7th February 2026
  21 signatures

• Allow all schools to choose their own holiday dates
  Open from Thursday 7th August 2025 to Saturday 7th February 2026
  69 signatures

• Require schools to include both skirts and trousers in female uniform policy
  Open from Thursday 7th August 2025 to Saturday 7th February 2026
  1,906 signatures

• Ban OFSTED visits at the beginning of term and end of the academic school year
  Open from Wednesday 6th August 2025 to Friday 6th February 2026
  24 signatures

• Make Government & Politics a compulsory, core subject in schools
  Open from Wednesday 6th August 2025 to Friday 6th February 2026
  122 signatures

• Make it statutory guidance not to remove break-times for neurodivergent children
  Open from Wednesday 6th August 2025 to Friday 6th February 2026
  49,482 signatures

• Review and reform education system based on Finland's to improve accessibility
  Open from Wednesday 6th August 2025 to Friday 6th February 2026
  167 signatures

• Fund screening for dyslexia, Irlen Syndrome, and neurodivergence in schools
  Open from Tuesday 5th August 2025 to Thursday 5th February 2026
  94 signatures

• New Disclosure and Safeguarding Mechanism for At-Risk Children
  Open from Tuesday 5th August 2025 to Thursday 5th February 2026
  110,021 signatures

• Allow parents to take children out of school for educational, overnight trips
  Open from Tuesday 5th August 2025 to Thursday 5th February 2026
  129 signatures

• Halt the Pylon Network Expansion & support underground & undersea cabling
  Open from Thursday 31st July 2025 to Saturday 31st January 2026
  2,533 signatures

• Fund school bus service for all Primary & Secondary state schools students
  Open from Thursday 31st July 2025 to Saturday 31st January 2026
  250 signatures

• Include AI in school IT curriculum
  Open from Thursday 31st July 2025 to Saturday 31st January 2026
  23 signatures

• Allow children 16+ to work full time instead of mandatory education
  Open from Wednesday 30th July 2025 to Friday 30th January 2026
  41 signatures

• Implement the requirement for consent of both parents for child school enrolment
  Open from Tuesday 29th July 2025 to Thursday 29th January 2026
  17 signatures

• Require schools to allow students to wear skirts
  Open from Tuesday 29th July 2025 to Thursday 29th January 2026
  179 signatures

• Give all British Citizens Overseas Access to Home Fees at English Universities
  Open from Tuesday 29th July 2025 to Thursday 29th January 2026
  77 signatures

• Fund increased wage for Teaching Assistants
  Open from Monday 28th July 2025 to Wednesday 28th January 2026
  70 signatures

• Continue to support fostering for looked after children in compulsory education
  Open from Monday 28th July 2025 to Wednesday 28th January 2026
  185 signatures

• Review & amend school attendance guidance on the “S” code & introduce a new code
  Open from Friday 25th July 2025 to Sunday 25th January 2026
  27 signatures

• Free childcare entitlements for adopted children while parent on adoption leave
  Open from Thursday 24th July 2025 to Saturday 24th January 2026
  99 signatures

• Teach the full history of South Asian people who fought for Britain
  Open from Thursday 24th July 2025 to Saturday 24th January 2026
  65 signatures

• Free school meals for all children

• Free school meals for all children
  Open from Thursday 24th July 2025 to Saturday 24th January 2026
  461 signatures

• Funding and guidance for Equal Holiday Club Access for All SEN Children
  Open from Tuesday 22nd July 2025 to Thursday 22nd January 2026
  274 signatures

• Ensure the Reception Baseline Assessment can be carried out screen free
  Open from Monday 21st July 2025 to Wednesday 21st January 2026
  54 signatures

• Require schools to let children use the toilet at all times in the school day
  Open from Friday 18th July 2025 to Sunday 18th January 2026
  19,728 signatures

• Match the funding rate of childminders of 2-4 yr olds with current under 2s rate
  Open from Thursday 17th July 2025 to Saturday 17th January 2026
  979 signatures

• Review duration of A-Level exams
  Open from Thursday 17th July 2025 to Saturday 17th January 2026
  25 signatures

• Mandate and fund air conditioning units in all English state-funded schools
  Open from Thursday 17th July 2025 to Saturday 17th January 2026
  29 signatures

• Fund free music tuition for all secondary school children aged 11-16 in England
  Open from Wednesday 16th July 2025 to Friday 16th January 2026
  912 signatures

• Cancel SLC debt for educators with degrees earned before teacher apprenticeships
  Open from Wednesday 16th July 2025 to Friday 16th January 2026
  41 signatures

• Create a statutory body to oversee university academic appeals
  Open from Monday 14th July 2025 to Wednesday 14th January 2026
  17 signatures

• Fund, distribute and mandate storybooks on online safety for all school children
  Open from Friday 11th July 2025 to Sunday 11th January 2026
  108 signatures

• Make secondary schools teach about endometriosis, vaginismus & hormonal cycle
  Open from Friday 11th July 2025 to Sunday 11th January 2026
  1,477 signatures

• Review the SEND Tribunal so special schools can refuse placements
  Open from Monday 7th July 2025 to Wednesday 7th January 2026
  120 signatures

• Make Play and Continuous Provision statutory in England's Key Stage 1 Curriculum
  Open from Thursday 3rd July 2025 to Saturday 3rd January 2026
  106,082 signatures

• Fund more financial support for legal guardians of children and young people
  Open from Thursday 3rd July 2025 to Saturday 3rd January 2026
  110 signatures

• Replace GCSE and A-Level memory-based exams with open-book formats
  Open from Wednesday 2nd July 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2026
  89 signatures

• Exempt students with learning disabilities from VAT on private school fees
  Open from Wednesday 2nd July 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2026
  40 signatures

• Ban ultra-processed (NOVA 4) foods from all school meals
  Open from Wednesday 2nd July 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2026
  108 signatures

• Fund Rent payments for Working Care Leavers in Supported Accommodation
  Open from Tuesday 1st July 2025 to Thursday 1st January 2026
  223 signatures

• Require schools to use world maps that reflect a country/continents true size
  Open from Tuesday 1st July 2025 to Thursday 1st January 2026
  27 signatures

• Fund/establish free virtual school for those unable to attend mainstream school
  Open from Tuesday 1st July 2025 to Thursday 1st January 2026
  33 signatures

• Reinstate funding for all Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships
  Open from Tuesday 1st July 2025 to Thursday 1st January 2026
  18 signatures

• Full public funding for Level 7 Apprenticeships for people aged 22+
  Open from Tuesday 1st July 2025 to Thursday 1st January 2026
  46 signatures

• Require neurodiversity education for children in schools
  Open from Monday 30th June 2025 to Tuesday 30th December 2025
  348 signatures

• Introduce a ‘School Allergy Safety Bill’ to Protect School Pupils with Allergies
  Open from Monday 30th June 2025 to Tuesday 30th December 2025
  13,967 signatures

• Require schools to notify parents if a pupil is distressed by results feedback
  Open from Friday 27th June 2025 to Saturday 27th December 2025
  2,820 signatures

• Issue new guidance on teachers’ early retirement rights
  Open from Thursday 26th June 2025 to Friday 26th December 2025
  5,198 signatures

• councils and landlords to provide stable, fair housing for people in recovery.

• Scrap RPI +3% interest on plan 2 & postgrad student loans & charge RPI only
  Open from Friday 20th June 2025 to Saturday 20th December 2025
  85 signatures

• Allow parents to take their children out of school for 5 school days in a year
  Open from Monday 16th June 2025 to Tuesday 16th December 2025
  561 signatures

• Issue guidance so schools cannot give homework overnight
  Open from Monday 16th June 2025 to Tuesday 16th December 2025
  72 signatures

• Make GCSE study leave a requirement in state schools in England
  Open from Monday 16th June 2025 to Tuesday 16th December 2025
  36 signatures

• Hold a UK-wide review of student loans
  Open from Friday 13th June 2025 to Saturday 13th December 2025
  39 signatures

• Fund more support for children with SEN & allow term-time holidays
  Open from Friday 13th June 2025 to Saturday 13th December 2025
  80 signatures

• Review extra time practices in secondary schools for GCSE and A levels
  Open from Thursday 12th June 2025 to Friday 12th December 2025
  36 signatures

• Expand menstrual health education & early screening for conditions
  Open from Wednesday 11th June 2025 to Thursday 11th December 2025
  203 signatures

• Update school uniform guidance to prioritise comfort for students in England
  Open from Monday 9th June 2025 to Tuesday 9th December 2025
  356 signatures

• Reform SEND Education: Implement a Needs-Based Tiered School System in England
  Open from Monday 9th June 2025 to Tuesday 9th December 2025
  128 signatures

• Raise the age of compulsory education in England to Six & reform Early Education
  Open from Friday 6th June 2025 to Saturday 6th December 2025
  778 signatures

• Require schools to allow students refill water bottles and use the toilet
  Open from Thursday 5th June 2025 to Friday 5th December 2025
  131 signatures

• Reduce the school week to four days a week
  Open from Wednesday 4th June 2025 to Thursday 4th December 2025
  126,013 signatures

• Stop fines for taking children out of school on holiday
  Open from Wednesday 4th June 2025 to Thursday 4th December 2025
  777 signatures

• Ensure GCSE students have access to formulae and equation sheets post 2027
  Open from Tuesday 3rd June 2025 to Wednesday 3rd December 2025
  41 signatures

• Amend Law so Definitions of Man & Woman Include Transgender and Intersex People
  Open from Monday 2nd June 2025 to Tuesday 2nd December 2025
  2,180 signatures

• Review Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill’s impact on non-school settings
  Open from Friday 30th May 2025 to Sunday 30th November 2025
  597 signatures

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