Policy network

This group brings together over 200 policy leads and practitioners from a range of educational institutions. Collectively, we horizon scan and spark collaborative, solutions-focused discussions around the opportunities for policy reform across the education landscape. The network meets regularly to hear from senior policymakers in the education and skills sector, discuss topical news, and share ideas for reform. The network also receives an exclusive monthly newsletter with updates from members, Edge, and the wider sector giving you one place to find all the education news you need.

For more information or to get involved, contact policynetwork@edge.co.uk

Recent Sessions

Party conference plans (September 2026)

A collaborative discussion to share tips and insights ahead of the 2026 political party conference season, including how members can best engage policymakers.

Education and skills in the devolved nations (July 2026)

We were joined by a panel from Medr, Skills Development Scotland, and the Department for the Economy NI to discuss the policy landscape across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Unpacking Parliament - The Passage of Legislation (June 2026)

Our expert panel, including a member of the House of Lords, explored how a bill is drafted, amended, and passed into law as an Act of Parliament.

Unpacking Parliament - Select Committees (April 2026)

We explored select committees and how organisations can contribute to their inquiries. With three clerks and specialists from relevant committees.

Switching Lenses 👓 Mental Health Policy (January 2026)

Continuing our Switching Lenses series this session examined mental health policy and its implications on education/skills, including the Milburn Review.

Level 3 and Below Consultation (December 2025)

The meeting examined the Level 3 and Below Consultation, shared relevant research, and discussed shared messaging.

Chat with Sir David Bell, Vice-Chair of Skills England (October 2025)

Edge Policy Network and Skills Shortages Analysis Group were joined by Sir David Bell, with his insights on the current policy landscape.

Plans for party conferences (September 2025)

An informal discussion, sharing our plans for party conferences 2025 and tips for engaging policymakers during such a busy time.

Learning from Past Policy (July 2025)

We revisited 14-19 Diplomas, the lessons for T Levels and the past 40 years of youth employment policy (and what this means for the Youth Guarantee). We were joined by Edge's Andrea Laczik, and Jack Farnhill-Bain from ERSA.

Switching Lenses 👓 Migration policy (April 2025)

We continued our Switching Lenses series, this time examining migration policy, where we heard insights on where there is opportunity for coordination with education and skills.

APPGs Unpacked (March 2025)

We were joined by secretariats of some of the leading APPGs in the education and skills space to share advice on how to set up an APPG, and the challenges and opportunities they bring.

Switching Lenses 👓 Justice (February 2025)

The first in our Switching Lenses series, exploring policymaking in other sectors to see what we can learn from their approaches to challenges – the successful and the unsuccessful – and identify common ground with the education and skills sector.

Meet the SpAds (November 2024)

We were joined by a group of former SpAds spanning different remits, departments, and governments to hear about what the job entails and tips for engagement for policy professionals.

Curriculum and assessment review - with Sammy Wright (October 2024)

A discussion on shared messaging for input into the Curriculum and Assessment Review, with insight from Sammy Wright, author of Exam Nation.

Getting the most out of Party conferences (September 2024)

An informal discussion, sharing our plans for party conferences 2024 and tips on how to get the most out of this manic period.

Book Club: Improving Education Policy Together by Nansi Ellis and Gareth Conyard (July 2024)

Our first book club discussion, joined by Nansi Ellis and Gareth Conyard to discuss their book Improving Education Policy Together with advice for the Network on how education policy can be done well.

Manifesto Analysis (June 2024)

A look at the key education and skills commitments made in the main parties’ manifestos.

Empowering youth voice through policy (April 2024)

A discussion on how to how to centre young people in our policy work, with presentations from Felix Von der Geest, a member of Edge's Youth Network, and Youth Employment UK, about their Youth Voice Census.

Reflections on the autumn budget (March 2024)

Reflections on the Budget and advice on how to make the best case for funding asks within a tight fiscal climate.

In conversation with Baroness Alison Wolf (February 2024)

A fireside chat with Baroness Alison Wolf, touching on the impact of her 2011 report, her work with the Prime Minister, and her views on the future of technical education.