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Policy Update –Policy Update Schools
Steve Besley – Head of Policy, Pearson
2 Policy Update – Schools
Current Big Picture
• Increasing policy excitement as 2015 looms
• Economy ‘healing’ but budget cuts continuing
• Established reform template with education part of a 3 pronged axis
• System performance characterised as ‘stagnant’ in series of major Reports
• Over 80% of Coalition agenda complete, 2014 emerging as important year for completing reform fabricimportant year for completing reform fabric
• Current concerns include:– Performance levels in English and maths– Closing the attainment gap– Skill levels/employability of young people– Nature of the school systemNature of the school system– A qualified and trained profession– Levels of stamina
3 Policy Update – Schools
The Skills Challenge - Current Picture
• Youth unemployment improving (ONS Feb 2014)
Graduate market improving (High Fliers Jan 2014)• Graduate market improving (High Fliers Jan 2014)
• Growth up, performance improving in key sectors though productivity low and market changing (Growth Dashboard Jan 2014)
• But– Concerns about literacy/numeracy levels of young people (OECD,
CBI,BCC)– Concerns that young people not equipped with appropriate ‘soft’ y g p p q pp pp p
skills (OECD, CBI, Work Foundation, McKinsey, Hunt)– Concerns about work experience, careers guidance and general
school-work transition (IPPR, McKinsey, CBI)( , y, )– Concerns about the perception of voc ed (Edge, BCC, AoC)
4 Policy Update – Schools
The Skills Challenge: H i th G t t kli it?How is the Government tackling it?
• Commissioning a series of reviews
• Operating a long-term Growth Planp g g
• Carrying out sweeping reform of the qualification system
• Strengthening the work-based route
• Developing a more ‘intelligent’ accountability system • Developing a more intelligent accountability system
• Applying various funding levers
• Transforming the school system
5 Policy Update – Schools
The Key Reviews
• Wolf (14-19)– Published 2011, last progress check Dec 2013, implementation
nearly completenearly complete– Part cleansing, part re-aligning around market needs– Significant impact on programme design and accountabilities
• Richard (Apprenticeships)P bli h d 2012 I l t ti l O t 2013 l t– Published 2012, Implementation plan Oct 2013, early stages
– Employers granted lead role in simplified but strengthened system– 4 year implementation plan, politically high premium
• Whitehead (Adult VQs) P bli h d N 2013 f l it d– Published Nov 2013, formal response awaited
– New employer-orientated qual design framework– Potential future design template
6 Policy Update – Schools
Education and Skills Priorities in theG th PlGrowth Plan
• Improve the quality of the apprenticeship programme
• Enhance the Apprenticeship Vacancy Service
• Review the qualification market
• Route skills funding through employers
• Publish destination data
• Extend post-16 work experience
• Develop STEM provision
• Create careers information portal
• Launch HE global online portal
• Improve quality of science teaching
• Pilot new funding model for adult literacy and numeracy
7 Policy Update – Schools
Reform of the qualification system –A h tA snapshot
• Revised National Curriculum. Phonics, SPAG, equations, kings and queens, (progressively from Sept 2014)
• GCSE. Coursework, resits, early entry out, new principles for tiering, grading, regulation in, (Eng and maths from 2015, others from grading, regulation in, (Eng and maths from 2015, others from 2016)
• A’ level. Resits out, linear, de-coupling of AS, HE involvement in, (13 from Sept 2015 maths/FM from Sept 2016)(13 from Sept 2015, maths/FM from Sept 2016)
• VQs. Designed around Wolf, new criteria on size, purpose, content, assessment, grading, recognition, (currently)
• Apprenticeships. As per Implementation Plan, minimum durations, Eng/maths and off the job training, increasing employer ownership, (currently) (currently)
• Traineeships. As per latest Framework, 16-24 bridging programme, (currently)
8 Policy Update – Schools
Reform of the qualification system –K i tKey points
• English and maths GCSE retained as the benchmark core qual• English and maths GCSE retained as the benchmark core qual
• Freed up NC but more prescriptive qual content endorsed by external stakeholders
• Qual offer determined by new performance requirements
• Strict adoption of more traditional assessment arrangements
• Reduction in testing regime but continuation of national exams at 16 and 18
• Emergence of 3-track route @ 16-19• Emergence of 3-track route @ 16-19
• The Tech Bacc to mark the end of formal education
• Gradual creep of grading across VQs• Gradual creep of grading across VQs
• Building of pre-Apprenticeship platform through Traineeships
9 Policy Update – Schools
Strengthening the Work-Based Route
• Reform of the apprenticeship system:– Positioned as norm for ‘other’ 50%– Adoption of new quality criteria– Further development through Trailblazer programme
But concerns about funding and pre 19 take up– But concerns about funding and pre-19 take-up
• Launch of the Traineeship programme:au c o t e a ees p p og a e– 6 month flexi programme, 3 core ingredients– Part of 16-19 Study Programmes
• Other activity: – Youth Contract Youth Contract – AGE– JCP referrals
R f h it d l t l d – Range of charity and voluntary led programmes
10 Policy Update – Schools
Accountability - Secondary Schools
• Consultation spring 2013, Government Response Oct 2013, Update Jan 2014, modelling Feb 2014, reporting 2016
• No of current mechanisms to remain including: perf tables; floor targets; inspection framework; PRP; school websites
Three forms of user information: snapshot; perf tables; data portal• Three forms of user information: snapshot; perf tables; data portal
• Four key indicators:1. Progress 8g2. Attainment 83. English/maths4 EBacc performance4. EBacc performanceo (Possibly 5th to come on destinations)
• Data sources include: DfE Data Warehouse; Ofsted School Data Data sources include: DfE Data Warehouse; Ofsted School Data Dashboard; Guardian/Open Public Services Network database; Durham, Pearson others
11 Policy Update – Schools
Accountability - 16-19
• Consultation autumn 2013, possible adoption for 2016
• 2016 Qualification lists published Dec 2013
• Proposals for L2– Numbers taking substantive VQs
Completion and attainment levels– Completion and attainment levels– Average levels of attainment– Destination measures– Plus % taking L2 Eng/ma, closing the gap, attainment at lower
levels, Traineeship completions
• Proposals for L3• Proposals for L3– Progress measure– Completion and attainment measures– Destination measures– Plus closing the gap, numbers achieving core maths, Tech Bacc,
facilitating subjects
12 Policy Update – Schools
Funding Levers
• Both Parties committed to deficit reduction and efficiencies through next Parliament
• Position confirmed in last three spending Statements
– Current budget secured at £54.2bn
– Real terms protection for school funding and pupil premiump g p p p
– Commitments made for continued expansion of new school
system, extension of free school meals and some capital costsy , p
– Pressure on LA budgets but MFG remaining
– New national funding formula in life of next Parliament – New national funding formula in life of next Parliament
– New arrangements emerging for apprenticeship funding
N t B d t M h 2014 t it t i t 2015 – Next Budget March 2014, most commitments running to 2015
13 Policy Update – Schools
Transforming the School System
• Early legislation to lay foundations
• Drive to develop self-improving system
• Diversification of school type to ensure choiceyp
• Responsibility divested through chains and new regional tier
• Professional ‘freedom’ proposed in return for greater performance
management
• Continuation of learning up to age 18
• Much more nuanced accountability systemMuch more nuanced accountability system
• Development of stronger forms of governance
• Commissioning of essential services
14 Policy Update – Schools
Labour Plans
• Being developed through a a series of commissions and landmark speeches
• Main activity pointers:– Labour’s independent Skills Taskforce 3 major Reports on:
apprenticeships; vocational learning; employability pp p ; g; p y y– Rachel Reeves’s IPPR speech on youth unemployment and welfare
reform The Blunkett Review – The Blunkett Review
– Keynote speeches by Tristram Hunt in Jan and Feb
• Current positioning:– A fully qualified/developed profession with regular re-validation– A ‘better balanced’ 14-19 system leading to the Tech Bacc
A local school system based on the Challenge model– A local school system based on the Challenge model– New intervention mechanisms for school improvement
15 Policy Update – Schools
Key things to look out for this year
• Pointing work on the new qual system: GCSE grading, regulation; AS/A accreditation; VQ developments
• Big heave on English/maths: Hubs; centres of excellence; Core Maths; Specialist Schools; bursaries; incentives
Fi l d lli f t bilit t d • Final modelling for new accountability arrangements: secondary readiness; Progress 8; L2; destination data
• Political arm wrestling over school system reform: RSCs; Blunkett g y ;outcomes; parent-power; Challenge model; chains and partnerships; Academies and Free Schools
• Tough talk on school performance: qual profession; Royal College; • Tough talk on school performance: qual profession; Royal College; inspection model; data portals; but no holiday grab
• Continuing concerns about tackling underachievement: KS1/KS3 testing; Ed Committee; EEF; PP; Social Mobility; careers; employability
• Policy divide sharpening between the major PartiesPolicy divide sharpening between the major Parties
16 Policy Update – Schools
Contact
Steve Besley
Head of PolicyHead of Policy
Tel. 0207 190 4339
Email: [email protected]
ThankYouYou17 Policy Update – Schools
