NFER has today launched new restandardisation for NFER Tests, providing schools with updated benchmarks based on a nationally representative sample of 177,000 pupils. 

NFER Co-Head of Policy and Practice Jude Hillary has responded to the Chancellor’s announcement on apprenticeships and the re-introduction of the Union Learning Fund.

NFER Co-Head of Policy and Practice, Jude Hillary, has responded to Government plans for new vocational GCSEs from 2029, highlighting opportunities, work experience, subject choice and inequality.

The dates of the annual National Reference Test (NRT) have been announced by Ofqual. It will be held between 22 February and 05 March 2027.

NFER Research Director Jenna Julius examines how changes to free school meals and school uniform requirements may help families facing cost-of-living pressures and what more is needed.

This report represents an overview of the findings of the testing process for the 2026 National Reference Test, which was taken by a random sample of around 13,000 year 11 students from over 330 schools in February and March 2026.