Faith groups run some of the best schools in the country, including in some of the most disadvantaged areas. Current rules mean that religious free schools are only allowed to offer 50% of places to pupils based on faith. Some …
As we have improved the curriculum and reformed GCSEs and A levels, we have worked closely with Ofsted to make sure all children and young people benefit from an ambitious, broad and rounded curriculum. This framework reflects that approach and I am particularly pleased to see this alongside the enhanced focus on personal development. Together, a rounded curriculum and personal development will help prepare young people for adult life.
Our school sixth forms and colleges have a vital role to play in making sure people have the skills they need to get on in life. That is why we have protected the base rate of funding for 16 to 19 year olds until 2020. We continue to allocate further funding for specific needs such as an extra £500m for providers to support disadvantaged students.
Edward Timpson’s review of exclusions practice, published just this week, highlights widespread good practice in the use of exclusions and confirms that only a small minority of schools ‘off-roll’ pupils. In response, we have committed to holding schools accountable for the pupils they exclude to prevent any falling through the cracks. We will continue working with Ofsted to define and tackle the practice, which remains illegal.
Today, Thursday 9 May, the Times published a front page headline saying that millions of children attend schools in Britain with dangerous levels of air pollution. Air pollution and climate change is a prominent issue in our society, which …
Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation Today, Thursday 9 May, the department has launched a new service to tackle child sexual exploitation as well as other criminal threats to children such as gangs, modern slavery and trafficking. This was covered by TES …
As the report notes, this government acknowledges the importance of computing – to create a workforce that has the knowledge and skills we need to drive the future productivity and economy of this country. That is why we made computing a compulsory part of the national curriculum.
Exclusion should not be considered the end point for any child; it has to be the start of something new and positive – with alternative provision offering smaller class sizes and tailored support.
Over a quarter of a million pupils with complex needs have benefitted from tailored Education, Health and Care Plans since 2014, giving them the support they need to fulfil their potential. The high needs budget has also gone up to £6 billion this year, from £5 billion in 2013.
Today our blog looks at further coverage on our early years workforce announcement, as well as a new Universities UK report on BAME attainment.
We want to create opportunity for everyone. Employment has risen in every UK region under this government, wages are outstripping inflation, the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has narrowed and the proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds in education or apprenticeships is at its highest ever.