As expected, we saw some extra money for schools and confirmation of the pay freeze for teachers (earning over £24k). There was welcome support to cover expected increases in learners aged 16-19 and money for the coming year was earmarked for the National Skills Fund. Interestingly, there was no mention of Higher Education or universities.

This Spending Review was, in the main, about the pandemic and its impact, and so the real test of the government’s plans for education will be next year’s review, which you would expect to cover multiple years. And by then we will have had the FE White Paper and the response from the Augar.

Also this week, we’ve been able to celebrate the best of education, through the Pearson National Teaching Awards and the National Apprenticeship Awards. Congratulations to all the winners.