In this most turbulent of weeks for the government I report on the new Education Secretary, the SATs results for this year and a DfE consultation to future proof the role of academy trusts.

James Cleverly appointed as new Education Secretary
Amid over 50 resignations in the government yesterday, Michelle Donelan handed in her resignation letter after less than two days in the post of Education Secretary. In the afternoon, following the Prime Minister’s resignation speech, a new Cabinet was announced to serve alongside Mr Johnson until a new Prime Minister assumes leadership. In the newly-appointed Cabinet, James Cleverly has been given the role of Education Secretary. He is a supporter of grammar schools and academisation.

SATS results 2022
As expected national attainment was down in this year’s SATs results as follows:

• 74% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, up by 1% from 73% in 2019.
• 71% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, down by 8% from 79% in 2019.
• 69% of pupils met the expected standard in writing, down by 9% from 78% in 2019.
• 59% of pupils reached the expected standard in all of reading, writing and maths, down by 6% from 65% in 2019.
• 72% of pupils met the expected standard in English grammar, punctuation and spelling, down by 6% from 78% in 2019 (remember, however, that grammar, punctuation and spelling test (GPS) results do not count towards the school accountability measures).

Review to future proof the role of academy trusts
On Wednesday the DfE launched a review of how it works with academy trusts. The review will look at the standards trusts are held to, and the thresholds at which the government uses its powers to intervene in cases of underperformance, helping minimise trust failure and retain parents’ confidence. It will also look at how the government supports the growth of existing strong trusts and the creation of new strong trusts, helping trusts improve schools. The consultation will conclude by the end of this calendar year.

This week I highlight the latest DfE School Governance update, a Governors for Schools webinar on the 2022 KCSIE statutory guidance, an update on the Schools Bill and the launch of a regulatory review to ensure there is an effective system of regulation and accountability for a trust-led schools system.

Latest DfE Governance update
The July school governance update provides information on the recently released white paper and SEND green paper, updated guidance on education recovery support, statutory safeguarding guidance which comes into effect in September 2022. The update also invites governors to a series of training webinars on the financial position of school and enabling governing bodies to support school finance teams.

Governors for Schools webinar on the new Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance on Thursday, 14 July 2022 from 8-9 am
The session will explore the guidance and key amendments that governors should be aware of, as well as how we govern safeguarding from September 2022.  Please use this link to go to the Governors for Schools website to register.

Update on the Schools Bill
This week the Government has scrapped key elements of the schools bill. In a letter to peers, Academies Minister Baroness Barran said that the government would “remove clauses 1 to 4 and schedule one from the bill”. These clauses relate to academy regulation and a proposed power for the government to set wide-ranging new standards for academies. The removal of clauses 5 to 18, which relate to how academy funding agreements are terminated, is also being supported by the government. A DfE spokesperson has said that the department is “supporting the temporary removal of clauses 1 to 18 from the bill, in advance of bringing back revised clauses later in the bill’s passage through parliament”. 

Government launches Regulatory Review
The government has launched the regulatory review promised in March’s schools white paper. The review is intended to ensure that an effective system of regulation and accountability exists for a trust-led schools system.

Questions under consideration include the standards which trusts will be required to meet, and how intervention in trusts will work in the situations where these standards are not met. The review will also consider the DfE’s approach to delivering the envisaged trust-led system, both how to support the growth of existing strong trusts, and how and when to commission new MATs.

The review has been tasked with providing recommendations for both the short and long term and will conclude by the end of 2022.

This week I highlight a couple of DfE consultations – one on proposed reforms of school attendance registers and national thresholds for legal intervention to reduce school absences and the other on changes to the statutory guidance for schools on providing access to education and training providers. As well as a webinar for School Business Professionals on the RPA and saving schools some money.

Consultation on school registers and national thresholds for legal intervention
The DfE has launched a new consultation on its proposed reforms of school attendance registers in the next step of the government’s plans to reduce school absences. The consultation closes on 29 July 2022. The draft School Attendance Regulations and Guidance on working together to improve school attendance have also been published.

The DfE has also shared some good practice webinars from schools across the sector as well as a training session outlining what the new attendance guidance means.

Consultation on the statutory guidance for schools on access to education and training providers
The DfE is seeking views on proposed changes to the statutory guidance for schools on access to education and training providers. The consultation closes on 25 July 2022.

DfE Schools Commercial RPA Information Session – 29 June and 13 July 2022
The DfE is hosting webinars on 29 June and 13 July on the risk protection arrangement (RPA) for School Business Professionals, providing information on how schools can save up to £10k per annum.

This week I highlight a DfE consultation on timescales for reviewing EHCPs, the publication of the draft School Admission Appeals Code, which following Parliamentary approval will come into effect from 1 October and the updated DfE School Resource Management strategy which confirms there will be some training in financial oversight for governors/trustees.

DfE consultation on timescales for reviewing EHCPs
The DfE is consulting on whether LAs should have an additional four weeks after review meetings to finalise any changes they propose to an EHC plan, and if they should have to circulate material for a review meeting a week earlier than is currently required. The deadline to respond is 10 August 2022.

Draft School Admission Appeals Code
Following a consultation which took place from February to April this year the DfE has now published its draft School admission appeals code 2022.  The code is set to come into effect from 1 October, subject to parliamentary approval.

The Code enables some of the flexibilities that were introduced through temporary regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue (with suitable adaptations) permanently. However it will not allow a panel of two to decide appeals in circumstances where the third member has to withdraw. 

Updated School Resource Management strategy
This new updated strategy features plans to save money, including support to help reduce energy and water usage, cyber-attack insurance, and investing in financial training for school leaders, school business professionals and governors/trustees.

This week I highlight the opening of a consultation on implementing the national Funding Formula and the publication of a report outlining a research project into future opportunities for education technology in England.

Consultation on implementing the NFF
The DfE is seeking views on its approach to implementing the direct national funding formula (NFF) for mainstream schools. Find out more about the consultation here and note the consultation will close on 9 September 2022.

Future opportunities for education technology in England
In December 2021, the DfE appointed Ecorys UK to undertake a research project: Future opportunities for education technology in England. The project aimed to provide insights to the future of the EdTech market in England, considering likely developments in digital technology and education policy.

The report presents the triangulated findings from work carried out over four months,
from December 2021 to March 2022, comprising of a rapid review of the literature,
telephone interviews with policy and industry key stakeholders, workshops with teachers
and EdTech sector representatives, and a survey administered with a nationally
representative sample of teachers through the Teacher Tapp app.

This week I highlight the publication of the new KCSIE for implementation on 1^st September, new DfE guidance on its aim for all schools to be in a MAT or with plans to join or form one by 2030 and confirmation of the continuation of free NPQs and additional qualifications in Early Years Leadership and Leading Literacy.

KCSIE for September 2022
The DfE has published its new version of Keeping Children Safe in Education which will come into force on 1 September, at the start of the new academic year. 

A change of particular note is that governors and trustees should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection (including online) training at induction. The guidance states that this training should equip them with the knowledge to provide strategic challenge to test and assure themselves that the safeguarding policies and procedures in place in their school are effective and support the delivery of a robust whole school approach to safeguarding. It also states that governor training should be regularly updated.

At the start of each academic year we have been recommending that all governors complete the LA’s online training and we will need to make sure that it is still fit for purpose.  I will as part of the new governor induction process provide a link to the online training and make clear the expectation that it must be completed within the first few weeks of becoming a governor.

DfE publishes plans outlining next steps following the Schools White Paper
On Wednesday the DfE published its next steps as part of its aim for all schools to be in a MAT, or with plans to join or form one by 2030, in its guidance ‘Implementing school system reform in 2022 to 2023’. 

The Schools White Paper also set out the DfE’s intent to allow LAs to establish new MATs in areas lacking strong trusts. The DfE has now published guidance for LAs on the government’s plans for a “test and learn exercise for 2022 to 2023” and how LAs can submit a registration of interest to test the concept of an LA-established MAT.

Given the discussions we have had in our governing body meetings this half term the documents are helpful to aid governors understanding in this area.

Teacher training qualifications to continue to be free for the next 2 years
National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) – will continue to be free for teachers to take for the next two academic years (2022/23 and 2023/24) and additional payments to small schools are being introduced. The Targeted Support Fund will give a grant payment of £200 per participant to schools with 1-600 pupils, for every teacher or leader they employ who participates in an NPQ.

The availability of NPQs is also being extended, with two new NPQs set to be introduced in Early Years Leadership – to support school leaders in their work to ensure every child gets the best start in life – and Leading Literacy, to develop school leaders’ expertise in the teaching of reading and writing.

This week I highlight a new EEF report on the impact of Covid on Reception pupils, the publication of the DfE’s response to the consultation on RPA proposed car insurance and a cyber-security audit for schools to complete from the National Cyber Security Centre and the London Grid for Learning.

Research finds Reception pupils are falling behind after the pandemic
A new report from the Education Endowment Foundation has found that four and five year olds were less likely to meet the expected levels of development in 2021 than they were before the pandemic.

Using a sample of early years foundation stage data, the researchers looked at the impact of the pandemic on the development of children who were in Reception class for the 2020/21 school year, which began six months after the first Covid lockdown. The findings showed the proportion of children in their sample reaching the expected levels in all areas – communication and language; physical development; literacy; maths; and personal, social and emotional development – was 59% in 2021, compared with 72% for the 2019 cohort. This difference is equivalent to three more children in every classroom not reaching the expected levels by the end of the school year.

RPA consultation proposal published
The DfE has published the response to its consultation on Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) proposed motor vehicle cover rather than schools using commercial insurance and you can read the outcome in full here.

Schools prompted to complete a cyber-security audit
Schools are being prompted to complete the cyber-security schools audit 2022. The audit has been launched by The National Cyber Security Centre and the London Grid for Learning to assess the risks to schools in the light of increasing numbers of cyber-attacks and the rapid expansion of school IT networks to cope with the demand for remote learning while responding to COVID-19. Schools are being asked to complete the survey to ensure the DfE has the data it needs to support schools and the deadline for completion is Tuesday 31 May 2022.

This week I highlight free cyber security sessions for school staff and governors, the announcement of additional funding to train senior mental health leads in schools, the publication of new non-statutory attendance guidance and the Schools Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech.

Free cyber security training
London Grid for Learning and the National Cybersecurity Centre (part of GCHQ) are offering a free cyber security training session to raise awareness and help school staff manage some of the key cyber threats facing schools.  The free course, aimed at senior staff and governors, runs on 6 and 22 June from 4-5pm and on 6 July from 9-10am and you can book a place on one of the sessions here.

Additional funding to train senior mental health leads in schools and colleges
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the DfE this week announced a further £7 million for schools and colleges to train a senior mental health lead, bringing the total amount of funding for 2022/23 to £10 million.

Senior Mental Health Leads will play an important role in helping schools and colleges embed a culture of openness when it comes to mental health, whilst also forging stronger links with local health services to ensure young people can access the right level of support.  More information can be found using this link to the DfE’s website.

DfE releases new school attendance guidance
The DfE has published new non-statutory guidance to help schools, governing boards and LAs maintain high levels of school attendance. The guidance, in effect from September 2022, summarises the various roles and responsibilities of parents and those involved in education, the legal interventions available to schools and LAs, and what schools are required to record in their attendance and admission registers.

Schools Bill announced in Queen’s Speech
The government’s Schools Bill was announced this week as part of the Queen’s speech . The government has committed to providing all children with equal opportunities and the plan for more schools to become academies. The DfE has published policy statements providing a description of each measure which sets out what the government aims to achieve, why the legislation is needed, the effects of the legislation and how the legislation will work in practice. To review all of the documents please use this link.

This week I highlight a free webinar on the Schools White Paper and what it means for governance, the DfE’s request to schools to complete an energy price survey, publication of school data on the National Tutoring Programme expected in the Autumn, a commemorative Platinum Jubilee book for all primary school children and publication of a summary of the SEND Green paper for parents/carers, children and young people to explain what the SEND review means for them.

Free webinar on the what the Schools White Paper means for governance
Governors for Schools in conjunction with Better Governor is providing a free webinar on the Schools White Paper and what it means for governance on Thursday 12 May from 8-9 am.

The webinar will explore the content of the white paper from a strategic governance perspective, considering the medium to long-term implications for schools and governing bodies.  Please use this link to register via the Governors for Schools website.

DfE invites schools to complete energy price survey
Yesterday, the DfE emailed all headteachers asking them to submit information regarding their school’s gas and electricity tariffs for a survey. With concerns that rapidly rising energy bills could lead to job cuts, the DfE is considering what “additional support” it can provide.

Publication of school data on the National Tutoring Programme in the Autumn
Yesterday the Education Secretary announced that data of each school’s involvement in the National Tutoring Programme will be published this Autumn. The data will also be shared with Ofsted; the DfE says it will be working with the inspectorate over the coming months to determine the best use of that data.

Platinum Jubilee commemorative book for all primary school children
Primary school children across the UK will begin to receive a free copy of the commemorative book ‘Queen Elizabeth: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration’ this month.  It features a tale helping children learn about historical events across the UK and Commonwealth, as well as inspirational figures, and a timeline of Queen Elizabeth II’s life. The book goes on private sale on 23 June and more information about the book can be found here.

Document explaining the proposals set out in the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper
The DfE has published materials summarising the SEND and AP Green Paper for parents/carers, children and young people to explain what the review means for them.  It is also helpful for governors and you can access a copy here.

This week I highlight the publication of DfE guidance for governors on education recovery, the launch of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and its implications for schools and free cyber security checks for schools provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.

Education recovery guidance
During the Easter holidays the DfE published guidance for school governors and academy trustees about the programmes and activities it is funding to support education recovery and children and young people’s wellbeing. 

The guidance is intended to support governors and trustees to have effective discussions about education recovery plans within their school or trust. It offers some suggested questions that governors and trustees may wish to ask school and trust leaders and gives an overview of the support available to schools.

DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy
Last week the DfE launched its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy which includes the launch of a new natural History GCSE.   The strategy sets out DfE actions for this calendar year including:

• covering climate change and sustainability in science teachers’ continuing professional development
• delivering pilots through the National Education Nature Park, which will test an approach for sharing university climate expertise and learning opportunities with colleges, schools and nurseries
• sharing best practice in early years settings, schools, colleges and universities, so teachers and leaders can consider how best to integrate within their own settings
• considering where further steps could be taken to support the teaching of sustainability in relevant subjects

By 2023 the DfE will:

• develop a Primary Science Model Curriculum to include an emphasis on nature to ensure all children understand the world around them
• support the National Climate Education Action Plan in setting up an independent expert body for the validation and creation of climate education resources that support the delivery of the national curriculum
• provide free access to high-quality curriculum resources through the National Education Nature Park online hub
• provide the opportunity for all staff (teaching, leadership and support) to build their understanding of climate change and sustainability by receiving shared carbon literacy training through their sustainability leads within their setting

NCSC offers free cyber-security checks to schools
The National Cyber Security Centre has invited all schools to register for two of their free services to protect against cyber-attacks:

• Web check – to find and fix common security vulnerabilities within their website
• Mail check – to assess email security compliance and adopt secure email standards

Both services are part of the NCSC’s active cyber defence program. To access the services schools will need to register for an NCSC account.