Best Starting Points
These official GOV.UK sections are useful starting points for public education information, from birth and childcare through schools, apprenticeships, higher education and adult learning.
Important
This site is an independent signposting portal. It is not official government advice. Always check original GOV.UK, Department for Education, Ofsted, local authority, school, college or university sources before making decisions.
Education is devolved. A number of the official links on this page relate specifically to England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate education systems and guidance in a number of areas.
Current Education Updates – August / September 2026
Education Information & Public Services
1. Early Years and Child Development
Support from pregnancy, birth, early development and starting school.
2. Childcare and Free Hours
Find childcare, free early education, Tax-Free Childcare and funded places.
3. Find Nursery, Childminders and Early Education
Search for registered childcare, nursery places and early years support.
4. Find and Compare Schools
Search schools, compare results, Ofsted reports and financial information.
5. School Admissions and Appeals
Apply for school places, understand admissions and appeal decisions.
6. Attendance, Absence and Home Education
School attendance rules, term-time absence and elective home education.
7. SEND, EHCP and Extra Support
Special educational needs, EHCPs, local offers and support routes.
8. Safeguarding and Child Protection
Information about keeping children safe in education and reporting concerns.
9. School Meals, Transport and Uniform Help
Free school meals, school transport and local support schemes.
10. Exams, Results and Qualifications
GCSEs, A levels, exam results, qualifications and exam regulation.
11. Colleges, Sixth Forms and T Levels
Post-16 education, colleges, sixth forms, T Levels and study choices.
12. Apprenticeships and Skills
Earn while you learn, find apprenticeships and develop work skills.
13. Careers Advice and Courses
Find careers advice, course search, job profiles and training options.
14. University and Student Finance
Student finance, university applications and higher education guidance.
15. Adult Learning and Retraining
Adult courses, basic skills, career changes and lifelong learning.
16. Ofsted and Inspection
Inspection reports for schools, nurseries, colleges and children's services.
17. Complaints and Appeals
Complain about schools, colleges, apprenticeships, SEND or education services.
18. Education Data and Statistics
School performance, DfE statistics, datasets and official education data.
19. School Funding and Accountability
Find school finances, funding data, academies and public accountability information.
20. Education Laws and Rights
Key education law, equality duties, SEND rights and attendance duties.
Public Education Help Checklist
- Start with GOV.UK childcare, parenting, education and learning pages.
- Use your local council for school admissions, SEND local offer, transport and free school meals.
- Use school performance tables and Ofsted reports before choosing a school or college.
- Check SEND support, EHCP rights and SEN complaints routes if extra help is needed.
- Check legal aid, Citizens Advice or specialist charities for serious education disputes.
- Use National Careers Service for courses, apprenticeships and adult learning.
- Use DfE statistics and financial benchmarking for public accountability.
- Use the correct complaints route: school, local authority, academy trust, DfE, Ofsted or ombudsman.