Highlights of the week ending 28 July
This bumper edition covers the last two weeks as we head into the summer break. During that time we saw a flurry of announcements, publications and statements – not least the Government’s wish to crack down on “rip-off” degrees and Ofqual’s thematic review of T Levels, which highlighted a number of areas of improvement.
In the Commons Education Secretary Gillian Keegan faced oral questions on a broad range of topics, including skills funding, maths attainment, and teacher recruitment. And in the Lords, Lord Watson of Invergowrie led a debate on the Ofqual report into T Levels, pointing out the impact of defunding BTECs and similar qualifications.
The Department for Education (DfE) published updated non-statutory guidance on the length of the school week. As part of the Schools White Paper, the Government said it would expect all mainstream, state-funded schools to deliver a minimum school week of 32.5 hours by September 2023. However, in a ministerial statement this week, Schools Minister Nick Gibb said this deadline will be deferred to September 2024.
Elsewhere, in an interview with The Telegraph, Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed that Labour has no plans to scrap the Conservative’s existing phonics system, which her party originally opposed. She also told readers that Labour’s plans for a “modernised curriculum” will not completely rip up the existing playbook, with the party focused on hitting the ground running when they enter office.
Meanwhile, the Government formally announced that Sir Martyn Oliver has been selected as their preferred candidate for HM Chief Inspector of Ofsted. When Parliament returns, Sir Martyn will face a pre-appointment hearing in front of the Education Committee, who will feed back to the Government on his suitability for the post.