COBIS has sent a letter of welcome to the new Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, which you can read here.

Ms Phillipson appeared in a recent live stream Q&A hosted by the Department for Education, which COBIS has summarised below.

She stated a number of times that her goal is to break down barriers to education, and increase opportunities for children to thrive. She praised the state school she attended as a young girl from a single-parent family in the North, and the opportunities her education gave her as an adult.

She was asked about funding and priorities before questions went to the general public.

Funding

She shared the Chancellor’s quote that this is the ‘worst inheritance’ since World War II, and they recognise they are facing an immense challenge. Pay for teachers is an issue, as is funding for schools, and they have a lot to do.

Priorities

She is keen to ensure more funding for EYFS provision and establishing nurseries and more nursery placements.

Teacher recruitment and retention were identified as a significant issue, and the new government  are aiming for 6,500 new teachers. She did say retention is the priority, as the sector is filled with excellent, hardworking people, who need to be encouraged to stay in the sector (more on this later).

She is aware that child poverty needs to be addressed. Tackling child poverty is wider than education and they are working across the government to fight it.

Questions from Attendees

What is your vision for SEND provision, which is under great pressure?

She agrees that there are many pressures in the system, and they will have a sharp focus in SEND support. She wants to restructure the department to focus on SEND and ensure mainstream schools are better enabled to provide for SEND students. She states that there are ‘no quick fixes’ and that people know that. They will be consulting and listening before they make changes.

Are there plans to change EYFS funding entitlements?

There are plans to change. They want more nurseries within primary schools to make sure there are enough places, and to better integrate EYFS into the wider education system. EYFS brings value and makes a difference to life chances, and she stated we need ‘a sea change’ in approach, to make sure parents can access entitlements and placements.

Does the Government plan to revisit the role of Ofsted?

Yes! They want to see an end to one-word judgements. They want to move to a system that recognises strengths and areas for improvements and how they can be supported to be improved. She stated there is a need for reform and push to continue to improve.

Are there plans to address underfunding in colleges and HE?

She stated that they ‘can’t make commitments they can’t deliver on’. Colleges drive growth and jobs, and are a vital part of the sector. She feels there is more we can do over time with reform.

What are your plans for multi academy trusts?

She stated that they want to drive standards no matter the school, and reforming Ofsted is part of this. They want to make sure that regardless of the name above the door, that a school is delivering high quality education.

How will you support funding for TAs and support staff?

She shared that TAs and support staff are crucial and that teachers can’t do it without them. Labour aim to bring back the school support staff negotiating body, to make sure their voice is heard. They are looking into opportunities around training and progression. People are under pressure and they recognise this.

How quickly will the curriculum review start – how do you see it unfolding?

She said it is only right that we look at curriculum and assessment as a whole, and that it is possible and essential that we drive high standards. We need to make sure children are prepared for life, and they want to deliver reform that stands the test of time. There will be an expert-led review, and they will take the time and do it right. They want the review to build on expertise that is already out there, knowing what works and expanding range of opportunity. It will not be a dramatic change of direction, but will build on what’s already there – a knowledge rich curriculum – and keep pace with changing times.

A question on student mental health and the impact on education provision (absences, expulsions, classroom disruption, teacher resources and training etc)

This is something they want to look at in more detail. She reminds us she is 12 days in. They know that schools are under pressure, and the impact behaviour can have on individuals and classrooms. Young people are finding life hard, and it is impacting their education. They want to look at this carefully and get their response right.

Teacher retention – How do we make sure people joining the sector want to stay?

She stated that there are a lot of factors affecting teacher retention, including pay and a high workload forcing people out. She said they recognise the role we each have, and that it is up to the government to create conditions that alleviate the pressures that schools are under, to tackle child poverty, and mental health support.  She said she knows it all feels so difficult right now to work in education. They want to show they value and invest in people. They know pressures are high in the sector, and are determined to get it right.

Will budget be made available to Local Authorities for education funding?

She said that Local Authorities are under a lot of pressure, not just when it comes to education. They want to make long-term decisions that will endure, not quick decisions. They are working with colleagues from different departments to address the challenges. She stated that the situation they have inherited is ‘dire’, and they want to make actual progress, not just hand out money.

What makes you optimistic?

She is continually impressed by the dedication and commitment school staff have in challenging circumstances, and that they are delivering excellent results.