-
reinforces improving pupil outcomes across England is at the
heart of Government priorities
- Focus on strong multi-academy trusts and good behaviour
management with mobile-free school days
- Governance of multi-academy trusts to emphasise requirement
for parents or carers on boards
Improving outcomes for young people – wherever they live – has
been hailed by Education Secretary as central
to the Government’s plans for building back better from the
pandemic today (16 June).
Speaking at the Festival of Education, he explained how the
Government will level up opportunity for young people, through
strong multi-academy trusts, high-quality teacher training, good
behaviour management and investment to help pupils catch-up.
The Education Secretary reiterated the importance of good
behaviour, including his calls to ban mobile phones during the
school day. He confirmed that a consultation on changes to
guidance on behaviour, discipline and exclusions will be set out
later this year.
The speech follows the announcement to boost high-quality
tutoring to help pupils catch-up on lost learning due to the
pandemic, as part of the Government’s long-term plans for
education recovery, backed by more than £3 billion so far.
Strong multi-academy trusts have proven their ability to secure
the best outcomes for young people as they recover from the
impact of the pandemic. The department is continuing to
strengthen the oversight and governance of trusts, including by
reinforcing expectations about the role of parents and carers on
boards.
Speaking at the Festival of Education, Education
Secretary
said:
“We are just as determined as ever to make sure that every child
gets the world-class start in life that we expect and that they
deserve (…)
“I want to be clear - improving outcomes for pupils is our number
one priority and as we build back better from Covid, it’s more
critical than it has ever been.”
He went on to set out the achievements of top state schools
rivalling independent schools, saying:
“Our leading academy trusts and free schools now deliver an
unrivalled education (…) but we must go further and faster if we
are to complete the revolution, end the postcode lottery and
truly level up the whole nation.”
The Education Secretary also confirmed his intention for exams to
go ahead in 2022, with plans being developed to ensure grades are
fair for students, and restated confidence that grades determined
by teachers this summer will reflect the abilities and hard work
of young people.
Young children’s development has been particularly affected by
the pandemic, and confirmed
plans for an exceptional Year 2 phonics screening check in the
autumn term to help ensure all young pupils grasp the basics of
reading, as part of the full return of primary assessments in the
next academic year.
He also praised the work of teachers and staff during the
pandemic, and outlined the Government’s ambitious long-term plans
and investment in teacher training and development. These include
reforming early career development support, providing half a
million teacher training opportunities and introducing Teaching
School Hubs alongside a new Institute of Teaching.
