New plan for schools unveiled
On 28 March, the Government’s Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, set out a new plan for schools in England.
What’s in the plan?
The plan includes higher targets for maths and English, and longer school days. By 2030, the Government wants 90% of students leaving primary school to have reached the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. In 2019, only 65% of students had reached these standards. By September 2023, all schools in England will be expected to offer a minimum school week of 32.5 hours.
What support will students receive?
Speaking about the plans, Zahawi told the BBC, “It’s not about more pressure on children, it’s about more support.” He added, “If a child has fallen behind, the teacher will support that child and engage with the parents to explain to them exactly what support they are putting in.”
This promise has been called the “Parent Pledge”. The Government says that any child who falls behind in English or maths should receive specialist support. Zahawi has also announced a plan to offer up to six million tutoring courses by 2024.
How have people responded?
Some schools say they already have a 32.5-hour school week and offer specialist support for pupils who have fallen behind. Others say the Government has not given schools enough money to meet these targets and concentrates too much on maths and English. “Focusing so intensely on English and maths, important as those subjects are, is also a very narrow view of education,” said Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (a group for senior teachers).
Speaking to the BBC, a Year 10 student called Amelia, from Birmingham, said the Government was right to focus on maths and English but said, “Things like music and PE, they enable us to develop our personalities as individuals.”