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Natalie Perera

@natalieperera

Chief External Affairs and. Communications Officer, AQA Charity Trustee and former civil servant.

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20.08.2024
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Latest posts by Natalie Perera @natalieperera

Details of one of the best roles in the sector below. 100% recommend and happy to have a chat with interested (and serious!) candidates.

25.11.2025 11:27 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I've received so many warm messages from across the sector today, thank you to everyone who's been in touch. Establishing & leading EPI has been a huge privilege and I couldn't have done it without an incredibly talented team. I'm sad to leave my beloved EPI, but excited for this next phase!

17.11.2025 21:23 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Very pleased to see the DfE adopt our measure of the disadvantage gap. Calculating it each year, for each phase, is a labour of love but it has been game-changing in improving focus and understanding of the gap.

05.11.2025 12:24 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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In sunny Bournemouth to speak on a @nasuwt-official.bsky.social panel on education funding. @edupolicyinst.bsky.social events kick off from 11.30 tomorrow!

21.09.2025 10:16 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

And so it begins. We're kicking off the 2025 Party Conference this weekend at #LDConf in Bournemouth. I'm doing a panel on Sunday with @nasuwt-official.bsky.social. We've then got a great line up of EPI events with our partners on Monday. Join us if you can!

17.09.2025 10:12 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

I love this article. We're all wobbly sometimes schoolsweek.co.uk/how-can-main...

14.08.2025 10:11 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The @edupolicyinst.bsky.social was up bright and early today to bring you everything you need to know about Level 3 results day today πŸ‘‡

14.08.2025 09:51 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Graphic from the Education Policy Institute. On the far left is a large teal opening quotation mark. Beneath it is a black-and-white head-and-shoulders photo of Natalie Perera outlined with a teal circle; her name and title, β€œChief Executive,” appear in bold black and teal text below the photo.

To the right, in large black font, are four paragraphs of her quotation:

β€œToday’s announcement signals a significant cash increase in school funding. However, given that the overall budget is rising by Β£4.7 bn in cash terms only by 2028-29, once inflation is considered, this increase leaves less flexibility for schools than they might have hoped.”

β€œ[…] The government must consider how funding is targeted, ensuring it reaches the schools and pupils who need it most.”

β€œThe most pressing challenge is the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and today’s settlement doesn’t appear to leave adequate funding to deliver the much-needed reforms in this area […]”

    β€œ[…] The Government must prioritise publishing a child-poverty strategy and this should include funded commitments, including removing the two-child benefit cap, that will genuinely lift children out of poverty.”

A dark navy vertical bar runs down the right edge; at its top is the Education Policy Institute logo, and at the bottom is an oversized white closing quotation mark.

Graphic from the Education Policy Institute. On the far left is a large teal opening quotation mark. Beneath it is a black-and-white head-and-shoulders photo of Natalie Perera outlined with a teal circle; her name and title, β€œChief Executive,” appear in bold black and teal text below the photo. To the right, in large black font, are four paragraphs of her quotation: β€œToday’s announcement signals a significant cash increase in school funding. However, given that the overall budget is rising by Β£4.7 bn in cash terms only by 2028-29, once inflation is considered, this increase leaves less flexibility for schools than they might have hoped.” β€œ[…] The government must consider how funding is targeted, ensuring it reaches the schools and pupils who need it most.” β€œThe most pressing challenge is the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and today’s settlement doesn’t appear to leave adequate funding to deliver the much-needed reforms in this area […]” β€œ[…] The Government must prioritise publishing a child-poverty strategy and this should include funded commitments, including removing the two-child benefit cap, that will genuinely lift children out of poverty.” A dark navy vertical bar runs down the right edge; at its top is the Education Policy Institute logo, and at the bottom is an oversized white closing quotation mark.

The Education Policy Institute’s Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the Government's spending review. Read the full statement: epi.org.uk/comments/epi...

11.06.2025 12:59 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Solving the SEND Crisis - Committees - UK Parliament A number of recent reports have set out in detail the extent of the crisis in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, which is letting down children and their families, creating ...

EPI's Director for SEND and Additional Needs @johutchinson.bsky.social gave evidence to the Education Select Committee inquiry β€œSolving the SEND Crisis” this morning. Watch the full session: committees.parliament.uk/work/8684/so...

10.06.2025 10:38 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The EPI's director of SEND Jo Hutchinson said we are having problems with inclusion in mainstream and this is seen through high and increasing numbers of pupils having unexplained school moves or exits from the school system and attendance problems driving wider disadvantage gaps.

10.06.2025 09:10 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ”ŠComment: EPI's CEO @natalieperera.bsky.social
responds to the 2025/26 teachers' pay award.

22.05.2025 13:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thoughtful piece here by Diana Sutton on the importance of ESOL funding and provision, in the wake of Labour's immigration plans feweek.co.uk/why-labours-...

18.05.2025 16:43 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

ICYMI last week, we published a thoughtful analysis on the gender gap and why we need to be worried about both boys AND girls. As ever, it poses a number of questions we need t explore around safety and belonging.

13.05.2025 08:42 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

And this report from @ippr.bsky.social and @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social sets out recommendations for improving and scaling professional development.

29.04.2025 08:59 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Our latest report highlights the stark and growing gaps in the experience, expertise and stability of teaching between disadvantaged and more affluent schools. In order to make progress in closing the gap, govt needs to turbo charge financial incentives & access to professional development.

29.04.2025 08:13 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

🀣🀣🀣

19.03.2025 21:15 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Just to be clear, David has stepped down. I'm still here......

19.03.2025 21:05 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

The Perera / Laws era has come to an end after nearly a decade at EPI and over 13 years in total. But we are extremely privileged and excited to have Professor Sir Chris Husbands as our new Chair!

19.03.2025 18:17 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Thanks Julian!

17.03.2025 14:19 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

And, 5 years on from lockdown, @mrjpandrews.bsky.social speaks to More or Less about the impact on learning and inequalities.

17.03.2025 13:16 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Our Chief Executive, @natalieperera.bsky.social speaks on BBC Breakfast today about findings from our latest report on the disadvantage gap, highlighting that absence is a leading cause of the performance gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

17.03.2025 11:31 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Today, @edupolicyinst.bsky.social published a groundbreaking report on the impact of school absences on the disadvantage gap. I was pleased to talk to the Today Programme about some of these issues and challenges.

17.03.2025 13:04 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

So excited to share the cover of my talented cousin's new children's book - out on 5th June and absolutely stunning. 🀩🀩

15.03.2025 15:21 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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I'm at #ASCL2025 where @tomrees.bsky.social cites @edupolicyinst.bsky.social research on the variation of SEND identification as he sets out the challenges facing the SEND system

15.03.2025 10:38 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Happy International Women's Day, especially to the amazing team of women in @edupolicyinst.bsky.social. Thank you for your passion and your power 🀩🀩

08.03.2025 14:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Lovely to be in Durham today, partnering with Durham University and the North East Combined Authority to talk about how we can better understand and tackle regional educational inequalities. And the sun has come out!

27.02.2025 13:25 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

We're recruiting! A great opportunity to work in our lovely charity, helping with our events and fundraising efforts, as well as with my diary!

26.02.2025 17:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ—£οΈComment: Latest Ofsted inspections and report card proposals

Our Chief Executive @natalieperera.bsky.social responds to the latest announcements.

03.02.2025 11:02 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

For anyone looking for education policy people on Bluesky (and if you're missing let me know!)

go.bsky.app/PHBkF8y

01.02.2025 07:32 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 14 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

While early intervention is key, there also needs to be a safety net for older children, we agree that the govt should extend the Pupil Premium to 16-19 year olds epi.org.uk/publications...

18.01.2025 12:00 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1