Education 2007: Translating Vision into Practice

In 1997, the top three priorities of the Government were education, education, education, in the belief that the vision of “changing educational opportunity is the surest way to change lives, to social justice”, Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister. 

Today, 10 years on, this vision remains, and education is still at the forefront of the Government’s reform agenda, “Raising school standards for all children and young people at all ages will be an overriding priority of the Government.” Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, Prime Minister. 

Brown aims to build on the reforms implemented by the Education and Inspections Act in 2006, which introduced:

·        The choice to become Trust Schools, incorporating:

• ownership of their own assets;
• employing their own staff; and
• setting their admission arrangements.
• The future role of local authorities – a new strategic role to promote:
• choice;
• diversity;
• high standards;
• fulfill every child’s educational potential; and
• new powers to intervene when poor performance is evident.
• Fair Access – New Schools Admissions Code
• New statutory power to discipline and tackle inappropriate behaviour
• New specialised diplomas at 14-19
• The remits of fostering community engagement and the Extended Schools model 

The reforms were introduced to “ensure that all children in all schools get the education they need to enable them to fulfill their potential” and there is a strong lead here regarding the integration of effective children’s services with educational excellence.  

The Act initiated new roles for teachers, head teachers, local authorities – who are identified as the ‘Champions’ of parents and ‘Commissioners’ of educational services – schools and governors. Moreover, there is now an overriding recognition of the potential of both the private and third sectors to contribute to and benefit the educational sector.

The Comprehensive Spending Review in March 2007, supported this reform agenda with a further £10.7 billion to be invested in educational services and skills by 2011.  

With the formation of the new Department for Children, Schools and Families on 28^th June, the Prime Minister took further steps towards ensuring that: “Children and families are the bedrock of our society”, guaranteeing that “every child gets the best possible start in life,” with:

• high quality and tailored education for all young people at the “heart of the new Department”, which includes pre-19 education policy responsibilities;
• a strategy to work closely with the new Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, in order to ensure the successful delivery of the 14-19 reforms; and
• funding for 16-19 education in future to go to schools and colleges in the local authority budgets.

The Government also confirmed its commitment to childcare and personalised learning in schools. Moreover, from 1^st September, all schools in England will have a duty to promote community cohesion.   

Consequently, Education has been redefined as the modern nation’s infrastructure – the foundation of economic success. In line with this remit, the new Secretary of State for Education, Ed Balls, recently announced a £1 billion boost for extended schools, £4 billion for Sure Start and Early Years and Childcare, and the publication of ‘Aiming High for Young People – Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities’, giving young people access to new and improved youth facilities in every community.  

He also announced investment of £13.7 million over four years allocated for the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme and a £100 million campaign to give all children the opportunity for five hours of sport every week.   

The Government’s aim is to create a state sector of independent, non-fee paying schools, with the freedom to innovate and the independence to change, educating children of all backgrounds and ability to foster creativity and personal achievement – each child reaching their full potential, translating vision into practice.