Education will be at the heart of major new reforms set to give every child and adult the skills they need to fulfil their potential, no matter where they live.
The plans being published tomorrow (Wednesday 2 February) are set to identify Bury amongst 55 cold spots of the country where school outcomes are the weakest, to target investment, support and action that help children from all backgrounds and areas to succeed at the very highest levels.
Designated ‘Education Investment Areas’, the Department for Education will offer retention payments to help schools keep the best teachers in the highest priority subjects. The suite of measures is set to ensure talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the highest standard of education this country offers.
The paper will set a new national mission to ensure that 90 per cent of children leaving primary school in England are reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths by 2030. In 2019, just 65 per cent of pupils met all three standards, with the proportion substantially varying across the country.
Schools in the Education Investment Areas will also be given support to address wider issues. For instance, schools struggling with attendance will be encouraged to join a new pilot programme to tackle the issue.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:
“The most valuable resource on the planet is the human resource. Investing in people to get on in life and receive the best possible education is core to the mission of this Government, and we are determined to help people gain the knowledge and skills needed to unleash their potential.”
“This White Paper sets out our blueprint for putting skills, schools and families at the heart of levelling up. It focuses on putting great schools in every part of the country, training that sets you up for success in a high-skilled, well-paid career and ensuring no one misses out on opportunities simply because of where they live or their family background.”
“Raising our expectations and aspirations for children, as well as creating a high-skilled workforce, will end the brain drain that sees too many people leaving communities in order to succeed. These plans will help create a level playing field and boost the economy, both locally and nationally.”
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their families and caregivers will be better supported with respite care and internship opportunities. Councils will be funded £30 million for the next three years to set up more than 10,000 additional respite placements, helping to provide positive opportunities for disabled children and young people and to give family carers a break so they can look after vulnerable children better in the long-term.
The new funding for respite and Supported Internships come alongside more than £45 million of continued targeted support for families and parents of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These programmes will:
- Target support to improve monitoring, support and intervention for local authorities and local health and care partners’ delivery of statutory SEND services, with a focus on underperforming areas and sharing best practice;
- Improve participation and access for parents and young people for high quality advice and support; and
- Directly support schools and colleges to effectively work with pupils with SEND, for example through training on specific needs like autism.
Commenting, James Daly MP said:
“Special Educational Needs provision is woefully inadequate from Bury Council. From my conversations with parents, families, and young people, the service and support they receive have not been satisfactory. Some of the most vulnerable in our community have been let down.
That’s why I very much welcome this additional support from Government to kick start Bury Council’s provision and improve the support and intervention families in our borough receive.
We are lucky enough to have fantastic teachers and support staff within our borough who are committed to ensuring each child has the best chance to thrive and succeed no matter their personal circumstances.
Bury’s confirmation as an Education Investment Area will bring more support and extra funding for schools within our area and provide increased monies for skills training which will play a crucial role in the Prime Minister’s Levelling Up Agenda.
