As we approach the end of 2021, thoughts turn to what 2022 may bring to the world of education. We've experienced a hiatus in longer term education policy under this Government, through the combination of an Education Secretary who seemed illprepared for the role and the cataclysmic impact of Covid-19.
Our new Secretary of State, Nadhim Zahawi, has largely kept his powder dry, but recent decisions such as delaying the removal of BTEC funding perhaps indicates he is willing to listen and is prepared to be pragmatic when required. The long awaited publication of a new schools whitepaper early in 2022 gives Mr Zahawi the opportunity to determine education policy for the rest of this parliament and potentially beyond.
Arguably not since the reign of Michael Gove has any Education Secretary set a clear vision for the English education landscape. Gove had a marmite-like reception, but at least it was clear what he wanted to achieve. Mr Zahawi has the opportunity to do the same, backed by a fresh ministerial team and without Nick Gibb, whose influence on championing a very traditional approach to curriculum was very significant.
Mr Zahawi has already indicated the whitepaper will focus on further improving standards in literacy and numeracy. What we await to see is what’s beyond this, such as further drive to complete Gove’s academisation policy or further changes to teacher training and working conditions.
I expect further encouragement for schools to become academies, but through incentives rather than compulsion, building on recent work to encourage C of E and Roman Catholic schools to join/form multiacademy trusts. Although 52% of pupils attend academies, only 39% of schools are academies (78% of secondaries but only 37% of primaries). As Church schools are the largest providers of primary education, conversion here would create significant momentum towards full academisation.
At NCEAT, we anticipate other like-minded schools joining us in our Trust. The response of our schools in supporting their local communities in the last 18 months has been magnificent, but the pandemic has stretched the education sector to its limit. In the face of this, it won’t be surprising if more schools decide their future lies in being part of a Trust rather than as standalone schools. Together we can support educational recovery from Covid-19 through collaboration within a MAT structure which is greater than the sum of its individual schools.
