Eight Key Takeaways from Bridget Phillipson's First Sector Address
1. Ofsted's Expanded Role
In her first live Q&A session with ther education sector, Bridget Phillipson emphasised integrating Ofsted’s school inspections with broader child services and promised a reform to the way inspections are scored and presented, as well as suggesting MATs will soon be inspected by the body.
2. Curriculum Review
A comprehensive review is planned, aiming to balance high standards with curriculum breadth, stating it “has to be done across the span of compulsory education, rather than thinking out different parts of the system”.
3. Acknowledging Existing Work
The review will build on current educational expertise and initiatives, with Phillipson noting that the new government did not want to undo the years of hardwork put in by sector professionals and experts.
4. Maintaining Consistent Standards
When asked about Labour's plans for MATs, essentially a Conservative invention, Bridget Phillipson stated that the government wanted to ensure all schools "no matter the name above the door" improved and were held to the same high standards.
5. Support Staff Progression
Acknowledging the critical work they do and the value attributed to them by teaching staff, the new EdSec promised to re-establish the support staff negotiating body.
6. Behaviour Management
Phillipson wants a holistic review of behavior policies, considering mental health impacts, amongst others, with a view to driving down absenteeism in schools.
7. Fiscal Challenges
When questioned on the current SEND and Early Years crises, Phillipson mentioned the "dire" financial inheritance from the last government, and promised a focus on efficient resource use and stressed the importance of regaining the sector's trust.
8. A Commitment to Collaboration
Acknowledging her own north-east upbringing and praising her former teachers, Bridget Phillipson pledged to work closely with educators and sector professionals, while admitting the potential for mistakes and stating she could not promise to deliver things that may not be possible.
With over 3,000 questions posited to the new Eduation Secretary and, after introductions, only abot half an hour to get through them, this session was never going to be able to cover everything that attendees wanted. What it did do, though, was reenforce Phillipson's desire to work with the sector as well as for it, while attempting to temper the expectations of a workforce clearly disillusioned and weary from the previous government.
[This list above was ammended from a School's Week article found here.]