Parents, businesses and voluntary groups will be able to set up foundation (trust) schools, with control over budgets and admissions. Trusts can oversee a single school or a group of schools. Private schools will be invited to enter the state sector, perhaps using the self-governing model of the city academies; schools will be allowed to become independent, non-fee-paying state schools
all schools can become foundation schools and appoint a majority of governors themselves
parents can complain about schools to Ofsted
councils can compel weak schools to work with other schools or partners: 'federations'
failing schools given one year to turn around or face being closed and replaced
£30m to be made available for councils to raise standards
Admissions:
The bill proposes ways of introducing a greater number of desirable school places - through the setting up of new schools and encouraging successful schools to expand.
interviewing pupils and parents to be outlawed
tighter adherence to admissions codes
local admissions forums to monitor and report to an adjudicator
more council help for parental choice
more free transport for poorer families - up to six miles
Discipline in schools:
all staff in schools will have the power to discipline pupils, even out of school
restraint to be allowed
detention can be imposed on weekends
parenting contracts and orders are to be extended
parents will be required to take responsibility for excluded children
Learning:
teenagers will be entitled to new vocational diplomas
schools and colleges will be encouraged to collaborate in offering diplomas
struggling pupils and the most gifted will receive customised classes - either to help them catch-up or to stretch the more able
catch up classes at secondary schools will help children without the basic skills in English and maths
duty on councils to ensure all children achieve their potential
School meals:
nutritional standards will be applied to school meals
councils can offer free school meals to all if they wish
What does ATL think of the White Paper?ATL welcomed the immediate implementation of the Steer Committee’s key recommendation, including the ATL proposals for parent pupil support workers. ATL also supports new legislation on school admissions which needs to address the weakness in the code of practice. However, ATL condemns the nonsense of school trusts, and predicts widespread anger at attempts to further foist private sector ideology onto a public service.
NUT Education Bill campaign Here you will find
essential items of research, information and feedback on the campaign. News from every part of England from schools, communities,
Local Authorities right into Parliament itself.
NASUWT: Five key tests to shape Education Bill "Vociferous opposition has been expressed, particularly to the formation of academies and self-governing schools and trusts, free from local authority control. These concerns are all entirely valid but, regrettably, are being expressed several years too late. Previous legislation, which NASUWT opposed at the time, has already introduced these"
