Federations: What you need to know The introduction of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill into the House of Commons signals a significant shift in England’s education policy. It offers, prima facie, a renewed focus on collaboration, equity, and local governance. By empowering local authorities to open schools, ending the automatic academisation of failing schools, and the ‘concept of a plan’ …
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: A Transformative Shift in English Education Policy
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill:A Transformative Shift in English Education Policy The UK government this week unveiled its Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a legislative proposal that has sent shockwaves of sorts through the sector, designed to reshape the landscape of education governance, teacher pay, school admissions, and children’s welfare in schools. Containing significant changes aimed at promoting equity, standardisation, …
Ofsted Annual Report 2023/24: Driving Change in Education
Ofsted’s Annual Report 2023/24: Driving Change in Education The 2023/24 Ofsted Annual Report represents a transformative chapter in the evolution of England’s education and social care landscape. After a period of unease and scrutiny for the divisive organisation, and under the leadership of Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, the report reflects the outcomes of the most extensive consultation in …
Labour Party Education Reforms: Points from the 2024 Conference
Labour Party Education Reforms:Major Talking Points from the 2024 ConferenceThe 2024 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool has brought a renewed focus on education, with the party outlining its vision for tackling critical challenges facing schools in England. From introducing free breakfast clubs to addressing the systemic issues within Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, the Labour Party education agenda …
Bridget Phillipson’s Faces First Education Questions from MPs
Bridget Phillipson Faces First Education Questions from MPs Bridget Phillipson and her ministerial team faced their first round of questions from MPs yesterday after Labour’s victory in the July election. The topics, centered around some of the most pressing issues in education today, included SEND education, the ongoing funding challenges, private schools, and the relationship between the government and teachers’ unions. …
DfE Academy Trust Handbook 2024
DfE Publishes Academy Trust Handbook 2024The Department for Education has today published it’s annual Academy Trust Handbook in time for the new academic year 2024/25. Acting as a guide for academy trusts, the guide covers myriad topics such as trust funding agreements, the need for effective governance, safeguarding, and much more, laying out its points in a ‘must’ and ‘should’ …
Private Schools and VAT: Labour Publishes New Details on Policy
Private Schools and VAT: Labour Publish New Details on PolicyLabour has today published new details on it’s oft-controversial plan to change the way VAT is applied to private schools. Perhaps not coincidentaly following on from the news that there is a “£20 billion black hole” in the country’s finances, the policy is intended to generate significant revenue but has in …
PAG named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ 2024
PAG named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ 2024 PAG is incredibly proud to announce that we have been named on the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™. The Best Workplaces for Women™ list recognises companies in the UK that are committed to ensuring a reasonable balance of women and men across the organisation; removing barriers to women’s career …
Multi-Academy Trust Trends 2023-24
Multi-Academy Trusts: Trends and Insights from 2023-24In recent years, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in the UK have navigated through mixed signals regarding their growth and expansion. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the MAT program, a somewhat divisive Conservative invention, the new Labour government’s stance is leaning towards a focus on raising educational standards rather than structural changes en masse. Even so, there …
Eight Key Takeaways from Bridget Phillipson’s First Sector Address
Eight Key Takeaways from Bridget Phillipson’s First Sector Address1. Ofsted’s Expanded RoleIn 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 ReviewA comprehensive review …