Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
The Academies Act passed into law earlier this week, paving the way for hundreds of schools to become academies. The government has been criticised for rushing the legislation through Parliament using procedures usually reserved for national emergencies. Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, has said, “Whatever people’s views on academies may be, by by-passing the usual democratic process, the legitimate and essential right to debate such an important issue is removed”. However, schools that want to become academies will welcome the swiftness of the legislation, which means that they can proceed quickly to become academies and obtain the freedoms associated with conversion.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010
The government has announced that it will clarify the law on the use of force in the classroom. New guidance will explicitly say that teachers can use force to physically remove disruptive pupils from the class or prevent them from leaving the room to maintain discipline. Head teachers will also be given more powers to search pupils, not only for weapons, but also for drugs, alcohol and mobile phones. Teaching unions have broadly welcomed the proposals. However, teachers will only be able to use reasonable force so the decision on whether physical contact is legal will ultimately remain with the courts, potentially still leaving teachers vulnerable to allegations of assault.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Friday, July 16th, 2010
The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, recently announced that hundreds of school rebuilds which have not reached financial close will not go ahead under Building Schools for the Future (BSF).
The Coalition argues that in the current economic climate, whichever party is in government would have to cancel many BSF projects in order to help reduce the national deficit. However, teaching unions are up-in-arms at the decision. Christine Blower, General-Secretary of the NUT, has said “poor learning environments have a negative impact on the education of children and young people”.
Despite imminent cuts in public funding across the board, unions are likely to insist that new school buildings are money well-spent, even in a recession. It will also leave the government open to legal challenges from a raft of local authorities unhappy at the decision to cut BSF funding.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
In the Emergency Budget, the Chancellor, George Osborne, said that education spending could fall by 25% over the next four years.
Whilst the Coalition had promised to protect front line spending on schools for one year, teaching unions are already opposing the ‘back office’ cuts, which they say will still have a detrimental effect on childrens’ education. Furthermore, in light of imminent cuts, it is difficult to see how the Government will make its flagship policies a reality.
It remains to be seen whether the Government will have sufficient funding to pay for all ‘outstanding’ schools to become academies and allow parents and teachers to establish hundreds of their own ‘free schools’.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Home Secretary Teresa May today announced that the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration process is to be put on hold whilst the scope of the scheme is reviewed.
Whilst the review is a major step, one must question whether it goes far enough. There is little doubt that the registration requirements impacted upon too many people, but the management of the information held by the ISA and its role in barring individuals also requires review. A failure to automatically tell employers when their staff are barred, and an extremely low threshold for when employers are under a legal obligation to refer conduct to the ISA, are of serious concern to employers. If a review of the process is to be undertaken at all, then a full and thorough review of all aspects of the ISA’s role is in order. It is disappointing that the government’s plans do not suggest a more complete review.
Posted by Dai Durbridge
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Tags: Charities, Education, employment, ISA, Public Sector
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Friday, June 11th, 2010
‘Outstanding’ schools who want to become academies may no longer need to consult with the local authority, parents and other stakeholders. The new Academies Bill does would not require schools to consult on becoming an academy. However, schools would still have the option to consult if they wished to do so.
The government appears to hope that removing the requirement to consult will help successful schools to become academies quickly, even by as soon as this September. However, schools which do not consult could run the risk of legal challenges by the local authority or parents who may argue successfully that they had a ‘legitimate expectation’ that the school would seek their views. Despite the duty to consult apparently being lifted, it remains to be seen whether governing bodies will decide that it is safer to consult stakeholders in order to avoid potential delays to becoming an academy as a result of long drawn-out and costly legal challenges.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Friday, June 4th, 2010
This week, Michael Gove announced that over 1000 schools have expressed interest in becoming academies. The government’s Academies Bill, introduced last week, enables all maintained schools to apply to become academies. It also promises automatic approval of academy status for those schools judged “Outstanding” by Oftsed.
To date, 626 “outstanding” schools have registered their interest in converting to academies. Despite their existing success, they are presumably tempted by the promise of greater independence.
Rapid expansion of the academy population currently looks inevitable and the government has been keen to emphasise the types of freedoms that academies will enjoy, such as the freedom to adapt the National Curriculum and vary the length of the school day. However, governors and the wider school community may still need to be convinced of the benefits of conversion, not least because of its historic association with failing schools.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Monday, May 24th, 2010
The new government is expected to give all ‘outstanding’ schools the automatic right to become an academy.
Many schools rated highly by Ofsted are already planning to take up the offer quickly, with the first schools due to become academies by this September. Academies are independent of local authorities and can employ their own staff and set their own admissions policy.
For successful schools, these freedoms are likely to be appealing. The policy is also very attractive for the new government in light of reduced public spending. Under Labour, schools gained autonomy by becoming an academy, but the scheme typically included new buildings and capital assets, such as ICT. However, by allowing existing schools to become academies, the government can ensure that many successful head teachers get the independence they say they want without the need for expensive capital investment.
Posted by Mark Blois
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mblois@brownejacobson.com
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Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
The new Conservative-Lib Dem coalition issued a joint policy statement on education this week which promises to allow new providers to enter the state school system in response to parental demand. The Lib Dems did not support Tory plans to set up hundreds of new ‘free schools’ in the run-up to the general election. However, it appears that the policy was one of the Conservative Party’s ‘red lines’ and the Lib Dems had to agree to it in order to strike a deal.
With the way paved for radical education reforms, the new government seems determined to lose no time in implementing its flagship ‘free schools’ policy.
Legislation will be introduced later this month to allow all outstanding schools to become academies immediately, and further reforms, such as the pupil premium, are likely to follow apace.
Posted by Mark Blois
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mblois@brownejacobson.com
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Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
The accountants KMPG recently reported that 50 general further education colleges are already financially vulnerable, and that a further 50 colleges are likely to find themselves in financial difficulty over the next few years as public funding cuts take effect. With potentially reduced budgets for adult education, including Train to Gain, it has been estimated that nearly a third of colleges may need to merge or restructure over the coming years if they are to survive the recession.
Whilst restructuring can allow colleges to continue, mergers will inevitably mean that more further educational provision is delivered by fewer and bigger colleges. Providers will argue that the future of further education lies with larger, streamlined colleges which provide economies of scale. However, learners may not be convinced of the benefits of bigger colleges and could feel short-changed if their ability to choose from a range of learning providers is dramatically reduced.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Monday, April 26th, 2010
Head teachers look set to boycott KS2 SATs for 10- and 11-year olds following a ballot by the NUT and NAHT.
Last week, the two unions confirmed that they would take industrial action against the tests, which pupils are due to sit in early May. Mick Brookes, general secretary of the NAHT, has said that KS2 SATs are “misused to compile meaningless league tables which only serve to humiliate and demean children, their teachers and communities.” However, the National Governors’ Association (NGA), has questioned the legality of any boycott. Clare Collins, Chair of the NGA, has said that industrial action “must be related to teachers’ terms and conditions”, but that SATs are “a performance measure, not a matter of their terms and conditions”.
With head teachers and governors seemingly at loggerheads, it seems highly likely that there will be a legal challenge to a SATs boycott, meaning that the courts will have the final say on this issue.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Monday, April 19th, 2010
Last week, the Equality Act passed into law, removing the exemption for schools in relation to the provision of auxiliary aids and services for pupils with a disability. Since 2001, schools have been under a duty to provide reasonable adjustments for pupils with a disability. However, until now schools were not obliged to take reasonable steps to provide extra resources, such as equipment or teaching assistants, which were expected to be provided by local authorities through the statementing regime.
The new duty on schools is certain to impact on their budgets. However, it is unclear what rights of redress schools will have, if any, against local authorities that unreasonably fail to specify auxiliary aids and services in Statements, leaving schools potentially to pick up the tab from what might arguably be inadequate delegated funds. The removal of the exemption for schools means there are interesting times ahead for lawyers and education professionals alike.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
According to recent reports the first private companies that want to run national chains of schools have applied for accreditation. Businesses including VT Group, Serco and Edison Learning have applied to become Accredited Schools Providers (ASPs) and given their education sector experience they are likely to receive accreditation as ASPs, allowing them to sponsor up to two academies, or support up to two National Challenge Trusts (NCTs). Once their record is established, the companies are likely to apply to become Accredited Schools Groups to allow them to operate larger chains of schools in the future.
Many, including the current government, feel it is inappropriate for profit driven organisations to be running schools. However, profit making in the education sector already exists and if large chains of schools are to represent the future of education businesses like VT Group and SERCO will argue they need the financial incentives to help turn the vision into reality.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Last week’s Budget confirmed fears of spending cuts to education. It has been reported that the Treasury will reduce public spending by £39 billion in a bid to try to reduce the level of national debt. Despite the Government promising to protect spending on education, the DCSF has announced that it will be taking a hit on funding. The Department will have to find £1.1 billion of savings and £950 million will come from schools.
The DCSF has said that schools should try to save money through “collaborative procurement” of services such as human resources support, cleaning and catering. The DCSF also wants schools to employ School Business Managers to help reduce operational costs.
Yet costs efficiencies which can be made by streamlining back office functions are limited and savings can take a long time to kick in, meaning it is doubtful whether schools can make the required savings through shared services alone. It seems that even if schools work collaboratively, in order to reduce costs to the extent indicated by the Budget, they may still be forced to make staff cuts and reduce frontline services.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Friday, March 19th, 2010
Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, threw Labour’s hat into the ring this week by proposing a pupil premium for poorer students. The Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats have already set out their plans to introduce a pupil premium.
Politicians say that the extra money for students from disadvantaged backgrounds would be used to help improve their attainment. However, there is scepticism over whether the additional funding would help to achieve better results. The Institute of Fiscal Studies has said that a pupil premium would lead to only a “modest” closing of the gap in attainment between rich and poor children.
But the real issue is funding. The government has already warned that school budgets will be getting tighter in the next couple of years. Therefore, whichever party wins power at the General Election, limited funding means that, at this stage, it seems unlikely that the pupil premium will ever make it on to the statute book.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Friday, March 12th, 2010
The government has decided not to ban teachers from being members of the BNP following a report which said there is “insufficient evidence of risk” and that a ban would be a “profoundly political act” on which there is no consensus.
But the General Secretary of NASUWT, Chris Keates, said the idea that teachers who are members of the BNP can leave their beliefs at the school gates is “risible”.
Whilst the government has agreed not to impose a ban for now, it does not appear entirely comfortable with its decision. The issue will be reviewed annually and Ed Balls has ordered a review of whether there are sufficient measures in place to prevent racism in independent schools.
Is this decision a case of pre-General Election nerves? The Conservative Party has said that head teachers need more powers to prevent extremism in schools. Perhaps whichever party is safely in power next year will take the bold step of banning teachers who have a formal alliance to the BNP.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
The Government has announced plans to allow parents to vote to change a school’s leadership where there is significant dissatisfaction locally. In line with Labour’s Accredited Schools Group/Provider initiative, parents would be able to choose from a list of accredited organisations to take over running the school. Gordon Brown promised parents “a strong voice and real power”.
Comparisons with the Conservative’s education policy – they want to make it easier for parents to set up new schools – will no doubt be rife. Ed Balls himself was quick to argue that while the Tory policy requires “busy working parents” to set up their own schools if they are not happy with their local state school, the Government’s proposals enable parents to “demand change and get a new and quality-guaranteed provider”.
It seems to be becoming rather trendy for political parties to drop the “P” word into their education manifestos. It will be interesting to see whether this dedication to parent power will run out of steam following the General Election.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Friday, February 19th, 2010
A change to the Children Schools and Families Bill has led to accusations that the Government has departed from its commitment to giving all children the right to quality sex and relationship education.
From 2011, schools will be required to teach pupils from the age of 7 about relationships, including same sex relationships, as part of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. However, the recent amendment will allow faith schools to teach PSHE in a way that reflects the school’s religious character.
The DCSF argues that this is not an opt-out provision for faith schools but secular groups are adamant that the change will encourage discriminatory teachings. The British Humanist Association said “the amendment effectively gives licence to faith schools to teach sex and relationships education in ways that are homophobic and gender discriminatory”.
Should schools’ rights to promote the values of their faith in lessons override children’s rights to receive balanced information on any subject from an early age?
Posted by Mark Blois
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Monday, February 1st, 2010
In March 2009, the government over-hauled the way students from outside the EEA and Switzerland gain entry to study in the UK. Further to our article in Issue 9 of Education Update, Tier 4 management system: are partnership agreements the answer? the Home Office have announced that phase 4 of this new schemewill go live on the 22nd February.
Once the fourth phase commences, visa letters will be obsolete and schools who sponsor international students will have to use the sponsorship management system to issue confirmation of acceptance to study.
The new streamlined scheme aims to stop fraudulent applications by students and institutions – with the fees from international students generating £2.5 billion a year there has been huge scope for abuse.
With much emphasis placed on partnership working in the education sector should schools collaborate and share the administrative burden by joining forces? This will mean students only need one visa and school will share the administration and costs. On the other hand, it may lead to issues if one institution omits to fulfil their obligations or fails in their duties meaning both institutions would be held accountable given the singular nature of the application.
Time will tell whether or not this more onerous system to tighten security will force schools to collaborate given the inevitable issues the scheme will throw their way.
Posted by Mark Blois
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
A recent survey suggests that independent schools are returning to traditional A-levels as opposed to the modular, AS system. Students will only sit exams at the end of the 2 year course with no exams in the interim. This move reflects the trend at GCSE level where, last year, more independent schools adopted the International GCSE (iGCSE) curriculum, which they deem more rigorous.
But are independent schools customising their curriculum to ensure a higher return for exam-savvy students? Currently, the government does not fund the iGCSEs in state schools as they do not match the national curriculum. This failure to recognise the qualification skews league tables and will undoubtedly lead to university entry confusion.
With the potential for the two-tiered system to become even more pronounced, should independent schools be reined in, or should the government become more flexible?
Posted by Mark Blois
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