Accessibility statement

This service is not part of GOV.UK website. There is a separate accessibility statement for the main GOV.UK website.

Using this service

This website is run by the Department for Education. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • get from the start of the service to the end using just a keyboard
  • get from the start of the service to the end using speech recognition software
  • listen to the service using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/ has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

This website is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2.1 AA Standard.

Feedback and contact information

Contact us at programme.improvement@education.gov.uk if you have an accessibility query including:

  • If you have difficulty using this service.
  • If you need any part of this service in a different format like large print, audio recording or braille.

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within two working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact us at programme.improvement@education.gov.uk.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Department for Education is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2.1 AA Standard.

How we tested this website

We tested user journeys for both authenticated and non-authenticated users.

Each page was reviewed against WCAG 2.1 guidelines, utilising accessibility software to ensure users with disabilities can view and interact with page content.

In order to comply with the current legislation, the standard browser used for testing was Edge.

The following disabilities are considered during testing:

  • Keyboard Only User: The user has a motor impairment that limits them to using only a keyboard to operate a computer.
  • Voice Activation User: The user has a motor impairment that limits them to using only voice commands to operate a computer via assistive technology such as a microphone and dictation software.
  • Screen Reader User: The user has a visual impairment that limits them to using accessibility software such as a screen reader to operate a computer via keyboard control and feedback via audible descriptions of visual elements.
  • Low Vision User: The user has a visual impairment that limits their access to content presented at 100% magnification. The user utilises system/browser controls or accessibility software to increase screen magnification.
  • Learning Difficulties User: The user has a learning disability that limits their access to content that is presented in a way that requires a high level of literacy.

Testing was carried out using the following software:

  • Dragon NaturallySpeaking (V15.71), a voice recognition (speech to text) program which requires minimal user interface from a mouse or keyboard.
  • JAWS (2023), a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse.
  • Zoomtext (2023), a magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. It enlarges and enhances everything on screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and reads screen content.

At the time of testing, these were the Department’s supported versions of accessibility software. Responsibility cannot be accepted for any issues encountered by users running earlier versions of this software.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 5/6/23. It was last reviewed on 5/6/23. This website was last tested on 28/4/23. The test was carried out by J. Dickinson.