ASCL comment on measures in new Schools Bill

Commenting on the Department for Education press release about measures in the new Schools Bill,Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“While we think the Schools Bill and the recent white paper lack ambition in their entirety, we do welcome some of the specific measures which are planned.

“There has long been a problem with unregistered schools in terms of both a legal grey area over exactly what constitutes a school, and a lack of robust investigatory powers to gather evidence that a school is operating illegally. This situation represents a safeguarding risk to young people who may be receiving education in an establishment which is not operating at the standards required of schools. Action to tighten the law is long overdue and much needed. We are pleased that the Schools Bill includes measures to address this situation.”