Summary: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is facing criticism over a new education bill that some fear will harm disadvantaged children and limit the freedoms of academy schools. Critics, including Conservative politicians and education leaders, express concern that the bill undermines successful reforms and could slow down school improvements. While some support the bill's aims, many feel it lacks a clear vision for education and better consultation with schools is needed.
new education bill, after warnings that it would be “catastrophic” for disadvantaged children and could reverse more than a decade of progress in England’s schools. (View Highlight)
government has tried to show it is listening by calling in trust leaders to hear their concerns. (View Highlight)
the second part of the bill, which proposes a series of reforms to the school system, has become the focus of criticism. (View Highlight)
proposals drawing the most criticism are those that will curb academy freedoms established under the last government, which trust leaders say have allowed them to innovate and turn around failing schools. (View Highlight)
requirement for new teachers to have qualified teacher status, or be working towards it. (View Highlight)
Academies will be required to follow the national curriculum, (View Highlight)
councils will be given too much power over school admissions under the new proposals – currently, academies have control over their admissions. (View Highlight)
objections to the government’s new school improvement regime, the key to which is the proposal that failing schools run by local authorities will no longer be automatically forced to become an academy. (View Highlight)
