Government launches education white paper for English schools

The Department for Education has launched a white paper setting out its long-term vision for the English school system.

Entitled ‘Opportunity for All: strong schools with great teachers for your child’ the white paper will be the foundation for this government’s future education legislation.

Introducing the document, Nadhim Zahawi, education secretary said:

“I want every child to get a great education and the right support, in the right place, and at the right time. That means that we need to go from roughly seven in ten children achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by the end of primary school to nine in ten children by 2030, and improve the national GCSE average grade in both English language and in maths.

“This white paper sets out how we will achieve that. We will build on the strengths of great teachers, leaders and other professionals, and cement the improvements that we have already made.”

Included among the proposals in the white paper:

• Specialist training to drive better literacy through a new National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy; a new National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership; and up to £180m investment in the early years workforce, including training for early years practitioners to support literacy and numeracy teaching.
• Better behaviour and higher attendance through more effective use of data, including an annual behaviour survey and a national data system to drive up attendance and make it easier for agencies to protect vulnerable children.
• A Parent Pledge that a school will provide evidence-based support if a child falls behind in English or Maths and keep parents informed about their progress
• A fully trust led system with a single regulatory approach, to drive up standards through the growth of strong trusts and the establishment of new ones, including trusts established by local authorities.
• A clear role for every part of the school system, with local authorities empowered to champion the interests of children and a new collaborative standard requiring trusts to work constructively with all other partners.
• Education Investment Areas to increase funding and support to areas in most need, plus extra funding in priority areas facing the most entrenched challenges.

Prospect’s Education and Children’s Services Group is engaging with the Department for Education on the white paper to ensure our members’ interests and views are being heard.

If you have any feedback on the education white paper that you would like to share with us, please email: [email protected]