Review of the Year Review of Parliament

2015 / 2016 SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

A YEAR IN PERSPECTIVE

FOREWORDS Th e Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP Th e Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP

MIDLANDS & EAST OF ENGLAND REPRESENTATIVES

Nunnery Wood High School Kesteven & Grantham Girls’ School Ormiston Shelﬁ eld Community Parkside Community School Academy Sir Graham Balfour School Broadway Academy Stratford-upon-Avon School Cromwell Community College Th omas Becket Catholic School

FEATURES Review of the Year Review of Parliament

Th e Rt Hon Philip Hammond Chancellor of the Exchequer

This Government is clear that a strong economy is arrangements with our European neighbours, we must the essential prerequisite to delivering prosperity and also redouble our efforts to promote trade with the improved life chances for all, building a Britain that truly rest of the world. Since the referendum we have seen a works for everyone, not a few. number of countries indicating their wish to agree trade deals with the UK, and I’m certain the list will continue Since 2010, we have made significant progress. to grow. Britain has been one of the fastest growing advanced economies in the world over the last few years; our People can be assured that we are prepared to take the employment rate has reached record highs as living necessary steps to safeguard the economy in the short standards rose to the highest level ever last year. At the term and to take advantage of the opportunities that same time, the deficit as a share of GDP has been cut by arise in the longer term as we forge a new relationship almost two-thirds from its post-war peak in 2009–10. with the European Union.

While the decision to leave the European Union marks The message we take to the world is this: we are the the beginning of a new chapter for our country and our same outward-looking, globally-minded, big-thinking economy, we start from a position of strength and our country we have always been – and we remain very economy is well-placed to confront the challenges ahead. firmly open for business.

Britain will, in due course, begin negotiations to leave the European Union. We recognise there may be some uncertainty as we negotiate and then a period of adjustment as the economy transitions to the post-EU reality. As we go forward, we are determined As we go forward, we are to build on our strengths as an open, dynamic, trading nation to forge a new global role for Britain. determined to build on our We are determined to make a success of Brexit and have“ strengths as an“ open, seen some positive developments with large companies such as Siemens and Lockheed Martin confirming that dynamic, trading nation the UK remains an attractive place for them to invest. to forge a new global role This is all good to see but we cannot be complacent. for Britain At the same time as we seek the best possible trade

FOREWORD | 1 Foreword

Th e Rt Hon Philip Hammond Chancellor of the Exchequer

FOREWORD | 1 Foreword Review of the Year

The rebellion that sunk the flagship policy Th e Rt Hon to make all schools academies the Prime Minister, David Cameron, Stephen Timms MP that there was a desire to end schools being run by local authorities. Education Select Committee That had seemed like a forecast of the general direction of travel – with most secondary schools As Schools Minister in 2001–2, I introduced TeachFirst. A few Trusts have troubling links with companies already having become academies Last February I joined the Education Select Committee. with which they do business. The former Education – rather than an impending and Some things have changed dramatically in the past Secretary suggested that Trusts with no track record of compulsory requirement. fifteen years – and some haven’t. improving their schools shouldn’t be allowed to expand and that disgruntled parents might petition for their The announcement by Mr Osborne Local Education Authorities I dealt with are being local academy to leave its current Trust and transfer to would have meant the remaining local replaced by Multi-Academy Trusts. We didn’t have another, giving parents a backstop power. I hope her authority secondary schools having to Schools Commissioners in the past. Sir David Carter, successor, Justine Greening, will pursue these ideas. the National Schools Commissioner, told the Select change status but the biggest upheaval Committee in June 2016 that ‘we are trying to Large scale conversion of schools to academies won’t Former Chancellor would be in the primary sector. George Osborne, academise the system’. solve the school standards challenge. Just as fifteen announced all state On Budget Day Chancellors like to pull Four out of five primary schools have years ago, we have a teacher recruitment crisis. At that schools would have to a rabbit out of the hat, but this year’s remained as part of local authority Tory opposition scuppered the plan announced by become academies by time, TeachFirst was key to the successful response. surprise package wasn’t about tax or the Chancellor, George Osborne, to academise the 2020 networks and there were immediate finances but about the future shape of entire system by 2022 but the Government’s goal I hope ministers will respond successfully this time round questions about the practicality of remains unchanged. Evidence increasingly suggests and that schools will be enabled to equip the next the state school system in England. thousands of, quite possibly reluctant, primary schools having to be turned that academisation is not the solution for raising school generation to build the kind of society and economy of In March, George Osborne announced into free-standing academies or standards. Academisation before 2010 – applied to which we all want to be part. that all state schools would have to failing schools – did deliver improvement. matched with academy trusts. become academies, with a deadline Among the much wider range of schools converting set for 2020 for the conversion to have A fact that made this an even more since 2010, outstanding schools becoming academies been completed or there to be plans in difficult proposition was that many have become better still. However, standards in other place for academy status by 2022. of these primary schools were already

schools becoming academies since 2010 have not rated good or outstanding, raising the This sweeping announcement was improved. Some Multi-Academy Trusts are doing question as to the purpose of creating

Schools will be enabled to delivered in conjunction with the brilliantly but others have expanded much too fast. so much disruption for schools that Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, We are starting to see in some the kind of stifling already seemed to be successful. equip the next generation“ and would have been the biggest bureaucratic control which gave LEAs a bad name. policy announcement of the year What really made this such a politically Schools’ local accountability is being lost and the “to build the kind of society for schools; in the end it turned into controversial issue was that much requirement for Parent Governors abolished. Many and economy of which we the most high-profile reversal and of the scepticism came from the academies don’t have Governors any more. Instead by the time this story had run its full Government’s own benches. power is centralised in the hands of Trustees and local all want to be a part course, both Chancellor and Education interests sit only on a talking shop. Secretary had lost their jobs. Teachers’ unions had voiced their anger at the proposals to force all The Chancellor’s announcement wasn’t schools to change status. They accused entirely without prior warning. There the Government of trying to push had been signals, including some from through an expensive reorganisation

2 | FOREWORD Foreword Review of the Year

2 | FOREWORD REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 3 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

wasn’t really to do with how they the Education Secretary announced a were labelled. There were clearer climb down. Good schools might be signs of improvement for ‘sponsored’ encouraged to become academies but academies, which had often previously it would no longer be compulsory. had weaker results. It was a major U-turn. It also proved to Even if this strengthened the be something of a last stand for Nicky argument for academy status for Morgan as Education Secretary. The underperforming schools, it did not advance the case for excellent schools decision over whether she would press to be required to change against their on with the rest of her school reform will. It was this element of compulsion plans was put to one side during the that proved the sticking point. EU referendum campaign.

It had become apparent that even if It was a question she would never there was ‘no reverse gear’ for the answer because, when the political forced academy plan, it would certainly fall-out had finished, the new Prime need a good set of brakes. Minister, Theresa May, replaced Less than two months after the Nicky Morgan with a new Education Concerns about academy deadline had been proposed, Secretary, Justine Greening. the impact of without any evidence that it would about a policy which seemed to impose academisation, raise standards. The Labour Party also a lack of choice without any proof specifically on smaller and rural schools, have challenged the academy plans, arguing of necessity. been raised it would remove local democratic There were particular concerns about accountability and that such structural Political upheavals that overturned what this might mean for small rural changes failed to address the practical schools and unease at the idea of issues facing schools, such as the the landscape for education popular, successful local primary struggle to recruit teachers but the schools being taken over by academy This year’s political earthquake was the produced some unexpected twists and biggest blow came from a sizeable referendum on whether the UK should chains that might be based in another turns for the leading political figures number of Conservative backbenchers leave the European Union – and the part of the country. Lucy Powell replaced in education. who remained unconvinced about the Tristram Hunt as shockwaves from that seismic event compulsory academy plans. Labour’s Education In what might now seem like another With the task of defending plans Spokesperson, before against cross-party criticism, political era, the Education Secretary, An Opposition Day debate in the House resigning in June 2016 Mrs Morgan told the NASUWT’s Nicky Morgan, began the academic of Commons on the Government’s teachers’ conference that there was ‘no year facing her new opposite White Paper proposals was dominated reverse gear’ but the opponents in her number, Shadow Education Secretary, by criticism from Conservative MPs. own party showed no sign of retreat – Lucy Powell. ‘Call me old fashioned, but I hold and they made it clear that they would Ms Powell had taken over as Labour’s the view that if you’ve got a well- stop the proposals as they stood. Education Spokeswoman in September governed, well-run school that’s As well as a broad swathe of 2015, replacing Tristram Hunt, as part performing well, just leave it alone backbench MPs, there were prominent of an opposition team put together by and let it do its job,’ said Will Quince, grassroots Conservative voices in the party’s newly-elected leader, Jeremy reflecting the comments of many of his local government who spoke out Corbyn but she resigned in June 2016. Conservative colleagues. publicly against their own party policy. After their general election mauling, The evidence on whether academy MPs with high-achieving local authority the Liberal Democrats began to rebuild status would improve results was also schools in their constituencies saw little their education profile with John Pugh merit in such a compulsory upheaval ambiguous. Most academies are so- as their spokesman. when it seemed to be without any called ‘converter’ academies which had real support from either headteachers already been high performing schools, Mrs Morgan, having been re-appointed or parents. There was sharp criticism so their continuing achievement after last year’s general election,

4 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

Political upheavals that overturned the landscape for education

This year’s political earthquake was the produced some unexpected twists and referendum on whether the UK should turns for the leading political figures Lucy Powell replaced leave the European Union – and the in education. Tristram Hunt as shockwaves from that seismic event Labour’s Education In what might now seem like another Spokesperson, before political era, the Education Secretary, resigning in June 2016 Nicky Morgan, began the academic year facing her new opposite number, Shadow Education Secretary, Lucy Powell.

Ms Powell had taken over as Labour’s Education Spokeswoman in September 2015, replacing Tristram Hunt, as part of an opposition team put together by the party’s newly-elected leader, Jeremy Corbyn but she resigned in June 2016.

After their general election mauling, the Liberal Democrats began to rebuild their education profile with John Pugh as their spokesman.

Mrs Morgan, having been re-appointed after last year’s general election,

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 5 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

was seen as having a key role in triumph for the opposition and promotion, she had spent less than a delivering David Cameron’s plans to Ms Powell had pushed hard on week as Shadow Minister for Women improve underachieving state schools issues such as teacher shortages and Equalities. and to encourage more schools to and weaknesses with some become academies. academy chains. It meant that Labour – once the party of ‘education, education, education’ The Education Secretary announced Instead the recriminations within – had had three Shadow Education plans to tackle ‘coasting schools’ which the Labour Party following the EU Secretaries in the space of a week. were not doing enough to make sure referendum saw her walking out of the pupils reached their full potential. Shadow Cabinet, along with many of If the reverberations of the EU This included plans for schools which her colleagues, who wanted Jeremy referendum caused huge and were underachieving to be turned Corbyn to step down as leader. unresolved changes within the Labour into academies. Party, there was also a massive upheaval She had only been Shadow Education within the Conservative Government. The Education Department was also Secretary for nine months when she keen to promote another of Downing resigned in June. What should have David Cameron stepped down as Prime Street’s favourite projects, the target Justine Greening, been a successful debut became a Minister and his successor, Theresa Secretary of State for May, announced a far-reaching to create 500 free schools within the over primary school tests with leaked Education hurried departure. reshuffle in July that removed Nicky lifetime of the Parliament. papers, problems with reliability Her successor, Pat Glass, proved Morgan from office. and then claims of sabotage all Political lifetimes can be unexpectedly an even shorter-lived education making headlines. The collective truncated and a chain of events saw spokeswoman for Labour. With a Justine Greening, formerly in charge of impression was not what she would all such confident, long-term planning, longstanding career in education international development and the first have intended. for government and opposition, swept and having served on the House of openly gay female Cabinet Minister, was announced as the next Education away by unforeseen storms. In addition, her challenges with Commons education select committee, she described her appointment as Secretary, with an expanded remit to Barely had the ink dried on her changes to primary tests continued her ‘dream job’. Two days later, with include universities. She will now have legislation to improve ‘coasting’ when she had to issue a warning that Labour’s leadership turmoil continuing, to put forward a new set of ideas for schools, when Mrs Morgan faced changes to SATs tests, making them she resigned saying that her position education in the autumn, from a party her first unanticipated thundercloud. more difficult, meant that results was no longer tenable. It raised under new leadership. The Chancellor, George Osborne, could no longer be compared with questions about whether this was the in his Budget speech, threw her the previous years. When Nicky Morgan and Lucy Powell shortest ever time in post by a Shadow challenge of forcing every state school began the year, arguing across the If these had proved rocky months for Education Secretary. in England to become an academy. the Education Secretary, it was all chamber of the House of Commons, Mr Corbyn replaced her with Angela they could have had little expectation The rejection from MPs within her overshadowed by the impact of the Rayner, a 36-year-old who had entered that both of them would be own party was almost immediate EU referendum. the House of Commons in 2015 as returning to the backbenches by the – and with the Government only Mrs Morgan had campaigned, with MP for Ashton-under-Lyne. Before her summer break. having a slim House of Commons her long-time ally David Cameron, majority of 12, it became apparent in defence of remaining in the EU. that she faced an uphill and ultimately She had issued a strong warning insurmountable struggle. Instead of saying that the adverse economic being a Secretary of State serenely consequences of leaving would be laying out her own plans for the most harshly felt by the young. Ofsted’s fiercest watchdog, school system, she became locked in a losing and bruising battle with her Both the Education Secretary and her Sir Michael Wilshaw, steps down own backbench colleagues. It meant Shadow, Lucy Powell, were to lose their Sir Michael Wilshaw, the outspoken This brought attention to what has that she faced weeks of attempted posts in the aftermath of Brexit. head of Ofsted, has been one of the made Sir Michael such a dominant negotiations before having to publicly most influential figures in education in character in debates about education. concede defeat. Ms Powell must have thought her first year as her party’s Education recent years but he is stepping down at An unusual row about Ms Spielman’s If politics requires luck Mrs Morgan Spokeswoman had been very the end of the year and the Education appointment raised questions about might have felt unfortunate in a successful. The U-turn over academies Secretary has named his successor as whether the education watchdog would series of embarrassing difficulties would have counted as a major Amanda Spielman. be different under new management.

6 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION triumph for the opposition and promotion, she had spent less than a Ms Powell had pushed hard on week as Shadow Minister for Women issues such as teacher shortages and Equalities. and weaknesses with some academy chains. It meant that Labour – once the party of ‘education, education, education’ Instead the recriminations within – had had three Shadow Education the Labour Party following the EU Secretaries in the space of a week. referendum saw her walking out of the Shadow Cabinet, along with many of If the reverberations of the EU her colleagues, who wanted Jeremy referendum caused huge and Corbyn to step down as leader. unresolved changes within the Labour Party, there was also a massive upheaval She had only been Shadow Education within the Conservative Government. Secretary for nine months when she resigned in June. What should have David Cameron stepped down as Prime been a successful debut became a Minister and his successor, Theresa hurried departure. May, announced a far-reaching reshuffle in July that removed Nicky Her successor, Pat Glass, proved Morgan from office. an even shorter-lived education spokeswoman for Labour. With a Justine Greening, formerly in charge of longstanding career in education international development and the first and having served on the House of openly gay female Cabinet Minister, Commons education select committee, was announced as the next Education she described her appointment as Secretary, with an expanded remit to her ‘dream job’. Two days later, with include universities. She will now have Labour’s leadership turmoil continuing, to put forward a new set of ideas for she resigned saying that her position education in the autumn, from a party was no longer tenable. It raised under new leadership. questions about whether this was the When Nicky Morgan and Lucy Powell shortest ever time in post by a Shadow began the year, arguing across the Education Secretary. chamber of the House of Commons, Mr Corbyn replaced her with Angela they could have had little expectation Rayner, a 36-year-old who had entered that both of them would be the House of Commons in 2015 as returning to the backbenches by the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne. Before her summer break.

Ofsted’s fiercest watchdog, Sir Michael Wilshaw, steps down

Sir Michael Wilshaw, the outspoken This brought attention to what has head of Ofsted, has been one of the made Sir Michael such a dominant most influential figures in education in character in debates about education. recent years but he is stepping down at An unusual row about Ms Spielman’s the end of the year and the Education appointment raised questions about Secretary has named his successor as whether the education watchdog would Amanda Spielman. be different under new management.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 7 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

When Sir Michael became Chief the body responsible for regulating of veto, which meant that Mrs Morgan Inspector for England’s schools he exams and qualifications in England. could, and did, decide to overrule the was seen as working in step with the She was also one of the team that MPs and pressed ahead with putting Education Secretary, Michael Gove; so founded the Ark chain of academies, Ms Spielman into the post. much so that they were known as ‘the which is seen as one of the success two Michaels’. stories of the academy movement. Teachers’ unions said that the MPs’ concerns followed their own criticism However Sir Michael proved to be What should have been a straightforward that Ms Spielman was being appointed an independent-minded and fearless appointment has, however, proved to as Chief Inspector of Schools, even Nicky Morgan, figure who was ready to challenge former Secretary of be an unexpected power struggle. though she had never had experience ministers and highlight weaknesses in State for Education, as a teacher. Ms Spielman had to appear before the government policy. was advised by MPs not to appoint House of Commons Education Select Under Sir Michael, Ofsted was a This became most apparent this year Amanda Spielman Committee, in what would have been watchdog that wasn’t afraid to bark. as the new Head of in the arguments over whether all Ofsted expected to be a rubber-stamping of His argument was that the Chief schools should be forced to become Free school meals are the Education Secretary’s endorsed Inspector’s job was to maintain still needed in deprived academies. Sir Michael made a high- candidate. The MPs, showing their own standards in schools, even if that 1980s had suffered from left-wing areas profile intervention that many academy streak of independence, decided that meant crossing swords with politicians ideologies which promoted ‘anti- chains were underperforming and that her answers were so lack lustre that or teachers’ leaders. academic nonsense’ and which had their top managers were overpaid. As a they told Nicky Morgan that she should ‘undermined the authority and respect Ms Spielman, having survived attempts former academy head, he made it clear not proceed with the appointment. The of school leaders’. to block her, will have to put her own that switching to academy status was cross-party committee of MPs said they stamp and style of leadership on Ofsted. no guarantee of improvement. He also attacked the influence of ‘free had ‘significant concerns’ about her She might not have been particularly marketeers’ on the right, warning suitability to be the new head of Ofsted. Such directness did not make him outspoken in her previous jobs but as that it needed much more than popular with ministers but he saw This was a substantial snub but the Chief Inspector she will be taking on a the ‘magic of the market’ or some it as his responsibility to present the select committee does not have a right role that is never far from controversy. ‘hastily rebranded schools’ to make evidence found by his inspectors, improvements that would last. even if the conclusions were politically inconvenient. As the Chief Inspector prepared to step down, he said the biggest unresolved His outspoken approach also made him The long road to finding a fairer way to unpopular with the teachers’ unions problem was the ‘continuing failure who criticised Ofsted for putting as a nation to improve the lives of our fund schools unfair pressure on teachers. They poorest children’. saw his approach as bruising rather Amid all the political earthquakes this There has been a long-running ‘The lot of disadvantaged children than inspiring. year, there was another more practical, campaign saying that the spread in primary schools has improved – a long-running debate that is likely of money has become much too bit. But in secondary schools, the Sir Michael had made his name to have far-reaching consequences. uneven and that there needed to be a attainment gap between children on as a no-nonsense inner London How should schools be funded? How fundamental overhaul. Campaigners free school meals and their better- headteacher, who had turned around much money should each school for a new national funding formula off peers has refused to budge in struggling schools. He had worked as be allocated? have said that some schools receive a teacher, often in deprived areas, for a decade. £6,300 per pupil per year, while others more than forty years and he had a For many years there have been might only receive £4,200. ‘Despite all the good intentions, the distrust of ideological distractions. calls for a more consistent and fairer fine words and some imaginative Of course, making funding ‘fairer’ approach to how much public money He warned that it was often pupils initiatives, we are not making a real by increasing support for schools in is given to state schools. The amount from the poorest families who were difference. The needle has barely one part of the country might seem schools receive per pupil can vary ‘caught in the crossfire’ in the political moved,’ he commented. very unfair to schools who end up widely depending on factors such battles in education. receiving less. The next Chief Inspector of Education as where the school is located and In a speech in June, looking back on will be Amanda Spielman, whose the particular needs of the intake; Inner city schools, particularly in his long career in schools, Sir Michael experience includes being the chair of extra funding is given to schools in London, are thought to be vulnerable said that schools in the 1970s and another education watchdog, Ofqual, deprived areas. to such a change and any cutting

8 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

the body responsible for regulating of veto, which meant that Mrs Morgan exams and qualifications in England. could, and did, decide to overrule the She was also one of the team that MPs and pressed ahead with putting founded the Ark chain of academies, Ms Spielman into the post. which is seen as one of the success stories of the academy movement. Teachers’ unions said that the MPs’ concerns followed their own criticism What should have been a straightforward that Ms Spielman was being appointed appointment has, however, proved to as Chief Inspector of Schools, even Nicky Morgan, former Secretary of be an unexpected power struggle. though she had never had experience State for Education, as a teacher. was advised by Ms Spielman had to appear before the MPs not to appoint House of Commons Education Select Under Sir Michael, Ofsted was a Amanda Spielman Committee, in what would have been watchdog that wasn’t afraid to bark. as the new Head of Ofsted expected to be a rubber-stamping of His argument was that the Chief the Education Secretary’s endorsed Inspector’s job was to maintain candidate. The MPs, showing their own standards in schools, even if that streak of independence, decided that meant crossing swords with politicians her answers were so lack lustre that or teachers’ leaders. they told Nicky Morgan that she should not proceed with the appointment. The Ms Spielman, having survived attempts cross-party committee of MPs said they to block her, will have to put her own had ‘significant concerns’ about her stamp and style of leadership on Ofsted. suitability to be the new head of Ofsted. She might not have been particularly outspoken in her previous jobs but as This was a substantial snub but the Chief Inspector she will be taking on a select committee does not have a right role that is never far from controversy.

The long road to finding a fairer way to fund schools

Amid all the political earthquakes this There has been a long-running year, there was another more practical, campaign saying that the spread long-running debate that is likely of money has become much too to have far-reaching consequences. uneven and that there needed to be a How should schools be funded? How fundamental overhaul. Campaigners much money should each school for a new national funding formula be allocated? have said that some schools receive £6,300 per pupil per year, while others For many years there have been might only receive £4,200. calls for a more consistent and fairer Of course, making funding ‘fairer’ approach to how much public money by increasing support for schools in is given to state schools. The amount one part of the country might seem schools receive per pupil can vary very unfair to schools who end up widely depending on factors such receiving less. as where the school is located and the particular needs of the intake; Inner city schools, particularly in extra funding is given to schools in London, are thought to be vulnerable deprived areas. to such a change and any cutting

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 9 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

of individual school budgets would to be concerned that once again a be politically sensitive. This delicate standardised funding formula could political balancing act has meant that slip away. for many years there has been support in principle for a ‘national funding Justine Greening had barely got formula’ but this has remained a thorny through the door of the Department challenge to put into practice. for Education, when the headteachers’ unions were asking for answers on Last year’s Conservative election what was happening and whether the manifesto promised to grasp this plans were still going ahead. nettle – and the Chancellor, George They received part of the answer on the Osborne, signalled a move towards final day before Parliament finished for such a national funding formula in its summer break. The new Education his spending review statement in Secretary said that she was still November 2015. committed to a national funding formula ‘We will phase out the arbitrary and but that its introduction was going to be unfair school funding system that has Nicky Morgan called Department delayed by another year. It would not be current funding for Education, systematically underfunded schools in additional pupil needs, such as arrangements ‘outdate, Sanctuary Buildings, been completed, or during the EU implemented until 2018–19. whole swathes of the country. inefficient and unfair’ Westminster deprivation; extra school costs, such as referendum campaign. When that was regarding deprived ‘This is a once in a generation those serving sparsely-populated rural ‘Under the current arrangements, a areas followed by the resignation of David opportunity for an historic change and child from a disadvantaged background areas; and ‘geographic costs’, such as Cameron and a Conservative leadership we must get our approach right,’ said in one school can receive half as higher costs in London. election, headteachers’ leaders began Ms Greening. much funding as a child in identical Having put forward the big picture circumstances in another school,’ said there remained the important question Mr Osborne. of detail. How much of the budget In March, the Education Secretary, would be a core amount – and how The battle over term-time holidays Nicky Morgan, set out plans to tackle much would be for additional needs? uneven levels of funding, saying How would these additional needs be becomes a courtroom drama that the current arrangements were weighted? Would the location, rural, ‘outdated, inefficient and unfair’. As urban or suburban, make a bigger This has been the dispute that refuses There was far from widespread an example of the current funding impact on funding than the levels to go away, dividing parents, schools agreement on this. There were parents anomalies, she said that schools with of deprivation? and even legal opinion. What should who said that they could not afford the similar levels of challenges in Plymouth be the response of schools to parents inflated cost of travel during the school Such a formula, applied to all schools, received £500 less per pupil than a who take their children on term- holidays. As such they had the choice will mean winners and losers. If there school in Rotherham. time holidays? of either never having a family holiday, are unsustainably big cuts for some or going in term-time and accept that Mrs Morgan’s timetable promised schools it raises the question of what The Department for Education they would have to pay a £60 fine. a national funding formula to be transitional support could be offered. has been unambiguous about this introduced in stages from 2017. ‘Children should not be taken out They didn’t really see this as truancy School leaders waited to find out what of school without good reason’. but rather as parents exercising their There was also a political dimension the funding changes would mean. Missing lessons means pupils falling rights on behalf of their family. They to the changes, with funding to go They wanted clarity so they could plan might have made the calculation that behind, ministers have argued, and a directly to schools or to academy ahead. It would have implications for even with a fine, the overall cost of a family holiday during term-time is not chains, cutting out the role currently their staffing which represents the holiday remained lower. acceptable; this tough stance has been played by local authorities. biggest slice of their budgets. backed by rising numbers of penalty One parent waged a legal challenge The proposals would mean that all Realistically, such an announcement, fines. Official figures showed that against the validity of the penalty schools would receive a nationally- with bad news and good news for more than 150,000 penalty notices system, questioning whether parents agreed basic level of support for each local schools, had to wait for a break for pupil absenteeism were issued to should really have to pay these fines. pupil. This would then be topped up in the political weather. It was unlikely parents in England last year, an annual Jon Platt had refused to pay a fine of on the basis of three other criteria: to appear before local elections had increase of more than 50%. £120 to the Isle of Wight council for

10 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

to be concerned that once again a standardised funding formula could slip away.

Justine Greening had barely got through the door of the Department for Education, when the headteachers’ unions were asking for answers on what was happening and whether the plans were still going ahead.

They received part of the answer on the final day before Parliament finished for its summer break. The new Education Secretary said that she was still committed to a national funding formula but that its introduction was going to be Department delayed by another year. It would not be for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, been completed, or during the EU implemented until 2018–19. Westminster referendum campaign. When that was ‘This is a once in a generation followed by the resignation of David opportunity for an historic change and Cameron and a Conservative leadership we must get our approach right,’ said election, headteachers’ leaders began Ms Greening.

The battle over term-time holidays becomes a courtroom drama

This has been the dispute that refuses There was far from widespread to go away, dividing parents, schools agreement on this. There were parents and even legal opinion. What should who said that they could not afford the be the response of schools to parents inflated cost of travel during the school who take their children on term- holidays. As such they had the choice time holidays? of either never having a family holiday, or going in term-time and accept that The Department for Education they would have to pay a £60 fine. has been unambiguous about this ‘Children should not be taken out They didn’t really see this as truancy of school without good reason’. but rather as parents exercising their Missing lessons means pupils falling rights on behalf of their family. They might have made the calculation that behind, ministers have argued, and a even with a fine, the overall cost of a family holiday during term-time is not holiday remained lower. acceptable; this tough stance has been backed by rising numbers of penalty One parent waged a legal challenge fines. Official figures showed that against the validity of the penalty more than 150,000 penalty notices system, questioning whether parents for pupil absenteeism were issued to should really have to pay these fines. parents in England last year, an annual Jon Platt had refused to pay a fine of increase of more than 50%. £120 to the Isle of Wight council for

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 11 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

taking his daughter on an unauthorised in this century and the number of The independent sector makes a term-time holiday. In the High Court in pupils has reached a new high of more big selling point of its exam results. May, Mr Platt won a legal challenge, than 518,000. Half of A-level grades and two with the court ruling that he had no thirds of GCSE grades achieved by case to answer. Even with a week’s The independent school sector, relying independent school pupils were either absence in term-time, the court on the spending power of parents, A* or A, far exceeding the national deemed that overall the pupil had faced tough times during the recession averages. When they finish their attended the school regularly. but it now says that independent A-levels, 92% of private pupils go to schools have recovered and are university with 56% going to a Russell When the court found in favour returning to expansion. Group university. of Mr Platt, the Department for Education responded immediately Independent schools, with an intake Exam results remain very important to say that ‘children’s attendance is of overseas pupils, are particularly to these fee-charging schools and non-negotiable so we will now look to sensitive to the global economy; so the independent school headteachers have change the law’. international nature of the recession as been among the most dogged pursuers well as the pressure on family budgets Term-time holidays can of any perceived problems with exam Ministers made it clear that, despite cause children to fall added to their financial squeeze. boards or individual qualifications. the court ruling, there would be no the school system. Parents might think behind in their learning green light for such bargain term-time in principle that they have the right ‘Having felt the pressures of worldwide Headteachers have loudly complained holidays or trips to family events. The to make a choice about whether their recession in 2008, independent about what they see as the unreliability Isle of Wight council has also been children should miss a week or a few schools have adapted where necessary of some exam results and this year given the right to appeal against the days from school. On the other side and are thriving just eight years on. there were long-running arguments decision, so this argument is going to of the argument, headteachers have It’s both heartening and reassuring to about the outcome of an English rumble on through the courts in the warned about the disruption it causes, see the numbers of schools at such IGCSE exam. next academic year. as teachers have to help children catch healthy levels,’ said the Independent up when they return. They say that Schools Council’s General Secretary, Independent schools, as well as Until the legal dispute is resolved, local it would be impossible to organise a Julie Robinson. being sensitive to financial pressures, authorities and schools will have to class if pupils are randomly taken out have faced questions about whether The annual snapshot showed what wait and see how they should enforce of school. they are a barrier to social mobility. attendance rules. It’s a dispute that now constitutes a typical private The other side of the disproportionate sets the wishes of individual families This is an argument that shows no sign school pupil. Most are day pupils success of private school pupils in against the wider collective needs of of being settled. at co-educational schools, with the getting into top universities is that biggest concentration in London disadvantaged youngsters are under- and the south east. Only a quarter represented in those universities. of private schools are single sex and the proportion of boarders remains There have been concerns about about 14%. The biggest numbers of state school pupils not getting Independent schools gain pupils overseas pupils are from China, Hong enough places in the most prestigious but lose members of the Cabinet Kong and Russia. universities and there have been Theresa May was a The courtyard of Durham ‘The storm of the worst recession pupil at Wheatley Park University, a member of in living memory has passed,’ said School, Oxfordshire, the Russell Group which is a mainstream a private school headteacher as the state school independent sector, in more confident mood, announced buoyant figures in its annual census.

The Independent Schools Council has run an annual survey of pupil and school numbers since 1974 and it says that 2016 has been one of its best years. There are now 1,280 independent schools, the highest figure

12 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

in this century and the number of The independent sector makes a pupils has reached a new high of more big selling point of its exam results. than 518,000. Half of A-level grades and two thirds of GCSE grades achieved by The independent school sector, relying independent school pupils were either on the spending power of parents, A* or A, far exceeding the national faced tough times during the recession averages. When they finish their but it now says that independent A-levels, 92% of private pupils go to schools have recovered and are university with 56% going to a Russell returning to expansion. Group university.

Independent schools, with an intake Exam results remain very important of overseas pupils, are particularly to these fee-charging schools and sensitive to the global economy; so the independent school headteachers have international nature of the recession as been among the most dogged pursuers well as the pressure on family budgets of any perceived problems with exam added to their financial squeeze. boards or individual qualifications.

‘Having felt the pressures of worldwide Headteachers have loudly complained recession in 2008, independent about what they see as the unreliability schools have adapted where necessary of some exam results and this year and are thriving just eight years on. there were long-running arguments It’s both heartening and reassuring to about the outcome of an English see the numbers of schools at such IGCSE exam. healthy levels,’ said the Independent Schools Council’s General Secretary, Independent schools, as well as Julie Robinson. being sensitive to financial pressures, have faced questions about whether The annual snapshot showed what they are a barrier to social mobility. now constitutes a typical private The other side of the disproportionate school pupil. Most are day pupils success of private school pupils in at co-educational schools, with the getting into top universities is that biggest concentration in London disadvantaged youngsters are under- and the south east. Only a quarter represented in those universities. of private schools are single sex and the proportion of boarders remains There have been concerns about about 14%. The biggest numbers of state school pupils not getting overseas pupils are from China, Hong enough places in the most prestigious Kong and Russia. universities and there have been The courtyard of Durham University, a member of the Russell Group

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 13 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

warnings that too many former private ministers since the post-war Cabinet of The decision last year by the Education The priority for the Government would school pupils dominate the top roles in Clement Attlee in 1945. Secretary, Nicky Morgan, that the be academies and free schools rather public life. expansion in Kent could go ahead was than going back to the 11-plus. In the new Cabinet appointed hailed by grammar school supporters as This came to the surface during the by Mrs May, there were 30% of a significant turning of the tide. Families Alongside the ruling allowing the Cabinet reshuffle that followed Theresa ministers who had been taught who had campaigned for the grammar expansion of the grammar in Tonbridge May’s success in the Conservative privately, compared with 50% of school in Sevenoaks welcomed the was a reiteration that this did not leadership campaign. Her choice of David Cameron’s Cabinet after decision as a victory for ‘parent power’; mean any move towards allowing Education Secretary, Justine Greening, the 2015 election and 62% in the political reactions were divided. entirely new selective schools. The was hailed as a rare example of coalition Cabinet in 2010. This meant status quo established in the late 1990s someone who would be responsible for that 70% of ministers in this new Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary which prevented the creation of new state schools who actually had attended Cabinet were state-educated, either in criticised the decision to open another grammar schools remained in place. one herself. Ms Greening had gone to a comprehensives or grammar schools. grammar school as a backwards step. Mrs Morgan said the plans in Tonbridge comprehensive in Rotherham. ‘Anyone should be able to become ‘They do not increase equality of represented a ‘genuine’ expansion of As the Cabinet took shape, the a minister, regardless of social opportunity, they make it worse,’ said an existing school. This was a technical Sutton Trust education charity made background. It is good to see so many Labour’s Lucy Powell, with accusations ruling rather than a political shift. the calculation that Mrs May’s more comprehensive and grammar- that grammars were too often the ‘I don’t think this will open any kind appointments had the lowest educated cabinet ministers,’ said the ‘preserve of the privately tutored’. of precedent or floodgates,’ said proportion of privately-educated Sutton Trust chairman, Sir Peter Lampl. On the Conservative backbenches, where Mrs Morgan. there has been a longstanding traditional sympathy for the grammar school cause, The change in leadership in the there was a more enthusiastic welcome. Conservative Party could give an extra The first ‘new’ grammar school Graham Brady, a long-time supporter of impetus to grammar campaigners. grammars, described it as a step which Prime Minister, Theresa May, has been for 50 years gets the green light would give parents more options. seen as being more sympathetic to allowing an expansion in grammar After years of lobbying, argument and The advocates of grammar schools school places. Mr Brady has urged uncertainty, a new grammar school argued that this was a way to achieve the Government to scrap the ban was finally approved in October 2015, greater social mobility, giving bright that currently outlaws the creation of the first such expansion in selective youngsters from disadvantaged families entirely new grammar schools. education in England for five decades. access to a high-quality education. At the very beginning of her time as Except that it wasn’t technically a From the Government perspective Education Secretary, Justine Greening ‘new’ school. the grammar school decision was a was pressed on whether she would more difficult balancing act. Although allow more grammar schools. She The decision allowing the grammar school to open in Sevenoaks depended ministers accepted the case for said that she remained ‘open minded’ on this not being a newly-created expansion in this case, there was a clear and it’s likely that she will face more institution. Instead the ruling accepted message that this would not open the questions on this until a clearer policy that this was an extension of an way to a full-scale return of grammars. direction emerges. existing grammar school several miles away in Tonbridge. 11-plus exams are still used for selection in the UK’s 163 Grammar Nevertheless the green light given to sharply through the 1960s and 1970s Schools The population bulge that means secondary the Weald of Kent school to open in and remained at a stable but relatively 2017 was seen as a symbolic triumph small number through the 1980s, schools will have to keep building for the supporters of grammar schools. 1990s and 2000s. When Justine Greening looked in her school places to keep pace with the It suggested that the long retreat in new in-tray at the Department for grammars had ended and there could There are currently 163 grammar rising birth rate and numbers of young Education there would have been be a modest revival. schools, with no increase in the people in that age group. number because the school being one topic that was an inescapable From a peak in the late 1950s, opened is not counted as new but as priority. There needs to be a substantial The most basic requirement of any grammar schools declined in number an ‘annexe’ to an existing school. expansion in England’s secondary government’s education policy is to

14 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

The decision last year by the Education The priority for the Government would Secretary, Nicky Morgan, that the be academies and free schools rather expansion in Kent could go ahead was than going back to the 11-plus. hailed by grammar school supporters as a significant turning of the tide. Families Alongside the ruling allowing the who had campaigned for the grammar expansion of the grammar in Tonbridge school in Sevenoaks welcomed the was a reiteration that this did not decision as a victory for ‘parent power’; mean any move towards allowing political reactions were divided. entirely new selective schools. The status quo established in the late 1990s Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary which prevented the creation of new criticised the decision to open another grammar schools remained in place. grammar school as a backwards step. Mrs Morgan said the plans in Tonbridge ‘They do not increase equality of represented a ‘genuine’ expansion of opportunity, they make it worse,’ said an existing school. This was a technical Labour’s Lucy Powell, with accusations ruling rather than a political shift. that grammars were too often the ‘preserve of the privately tutored’. ‘I don’t think this will open any kind of precedent or floodgates,’ said On the Conservative backbenches, where Mrs Morgan. there has been a longstanding traditional sympathy for the grammar school cause, The change in leadership in the there was a more enthusiastic welcome. Conservative Party could give an extra Graham Brady, a long-time supporter of impetus to grammar campaigners. grammars, described it as a step which Prime Minister, Theresa May, has been would give parents more options. seen as being more sympathetic to allowing an expansion in grammar The advocates of grammar schools school places. Mr Brady has urged argued that this was a way to achieve the Government to scrap the ban greater social mobility, giving bright that currently outlaws the creation of youngsters from disadvantaged families entirely new grammar schools. access to a high-quality education. At the very beginning of her time as From the Government perspective Education Secretary, Justine Greening the grammar school decision was a was pressed on whether she would more difficult balancing act. Although allow more grammar schools. She ministers accepted the case for said that she remained ‘open minded’ expansion in this case, there was a clear and it’s likely that she will face more message that this would not open the questions on this until a clearer policy way to a full-scale return of grammars. direction emerges.

The population bulge that means secondary schools will have to keep building

When Justine Greening looked in her school places to keep pace with the new in-tray at the Department for rising birth rate and numbers of young Education there would have been people in that age group. one topic that was an inescapable priority. There needs to be a substantial The most basic requirement of any expansion in England’s secondary government’s education policy is to

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 15 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

They also highlight the importance 121,000 pupils and the education of making sure that there is an department says this has not had an adequate pipeline of teachers being unduly negative impact on class size or trained because extra classes will school choice. need extra teachers and support staff. Schools have been loudly warning ‘The latest figures show that the system about their current difficulties in is responding well to growing numbers recruiting teachers, particularly in of pupils,’ said a spokesperson at the shortage subjects such as science and Department for Education. modern languages. ‘Fewer children are being taught ‘The Government will need to take in large infant classes, the average New school building is primary school class size remain stable finding its way through teacher recruitment and retention more provide enough school places – and question of providing enough specialist to secondary education seriously,’ said Russell Hobby, General at 27.1 pupils and the vast majority of it’s one of those tasks that no one will teachers, when subjects such as science Secretary of the National Association parents get places [for their children] in notice if it is achieved but will be a are already struggling to find enough of Headteachers. their preferred schools.’ disaster if it is missed. suitably-qualified staff. The Department for Education The building boom that has seen The scale of the extra demand Secondary schools usually occupy says that its record has so far been primary schools filling up every space was revealed in official projections bigger sites than primary but they also successful in providing places. Last is going to be a feature of many published by the Department for have more complex requirements and year alone, schools took on an extra secondary schools for the next decade. Education, which showed there needed when it comes to GCSEs and A-levels, to be an additional 750,000 places by they need the space to be able to teach 2025. This represents a 10% increase smaller groups of pupils. in the number of pupils in the state Primary schools have so far managed to How Knowsley became a local authority school system. build enough extra capacity, with the where no schools offered A-levels The bulk of this extra demand will average primary school having grown be for secondary schools, which by the equivalent of another class in Knowsley, a local authority in the without any schools for pupils to take will account for 570,000 of the these years of rising pupil numbers. North West, became the centre of A-levels, raised national questions an unwanted exam story this year about the oversight of schools and 750,000 places that need to be Inevitably it will mean a sustained when the last secondary school in the how there could be a more joined-up created. The population bulge that had pressure on school places, with the borough offering A-levels decided to approach in a school system that has seen primary schools adding temporary projections suggesting that schools close its sixth form. become increasingly fragmented. classrooms and extensions is now will have had 16 successive years going to work its way through to the of increasing numbers, adding Halewood Academy’s local decision and The school’s decision to stop teaching secondary sector. more than 1.2 million pupils to the There is nowhere in the prospect of an English authority A-levels was based on funding, arguing school population. Knowsley for students that it was no longer financially viable There might be some grounds for to take A-Levels to maintain a sixth form. optimism in coping with this expansion, Whatever other ambitions education because the school system has already ministers might have, this basic issue This would have been no more than absorbed an extra 470,000 pupils since of school capacity is going to cost a local dispute but because it was the the primary school population began time and money. The Department last school in the borough offering to rise in 2009. The increase in primary for Education says it has already A-levels it meant that pupils in one of numbers is now slowing, although it committed £7bn to creating extra the country’s most deprived boroughs will mean adding another 180,000 places and that keeping up with rising would have to travel to schools in pupils before the numbers are expected numbers is a ‘top priority’. other neighbouring authorities if they to peak in five years. wanted to take A-levels. Headteachers’ leaders say that the This means that the Department for pressures of this expansion will What added to the political complexity Education’s planners will be working to require better strategic planning, was that the school was an academy see if the demands of rising numbers involving local authorities and with less and not the responsibility of the will be different for secondary schools emphasis on relying on the creation of local authority. The academy could compared with primary. It raises the free schools. take its individual decision without

16 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

The Department for Education The building boom that has seen says that its record has so far been primary schools filling up every space successful in providing places. Last is going to be a feature of many year alone, schools took on an extra secondary schools for the next decade.

How Knowsley became a local authority where no schools offered A-levels

Knowsley, a local authority in the without any schools for pupils to take North West, became the centre of A-levels, raised national questions an unwanted exam story this year about the oversight of schools and when the last secondary school in the how there could be a more joined-up borough offering A-levels decided to approach in a school system that has close its sixth form. become increasingly fragmented.

Halewood Academy’s local decision and The school’s decision to stop teaching There is nowhere in the prospect of an English authority A-levels was based on funding, arguing Knowsley for students that it was no longer financially viable to take A-Levels to maintain a sixth form.

This would have been no more than a local dispute but because it was the last school in the borough offering A-levels it meant that pupils in one of the country’s most deprived boroughs would have to travel to schools in other neighbouring authorities if they wanted to take A-levels.

What added to the political complexity was that the school was an academy and not the responsibility of the local authority. The academy could take its individual decision without

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 17 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

any consideration to wider local or strategic consequences. The local council expressed its concern Headteachers complain about problems but it was powerless to intervene. It seemed inconceivable that an entire with teacher shortages inner-city local authority could be left with no A-levels on offer but that was There was one practical concern that There were particular concerns from the indeed the decision. was repeated again and again by secondary sector about the impact this secondary headteachers this year – the could have on the quality of lessons, Parents, who formed protest groups difficulty in recruiting teachers. including for GCSE and A-level. Even on social media, called for this if schools could find someone to put last local sixth form to be saved. It was a concern that reached the in front of a class they might not be They complained vociferously about House of Commons Education Select specialists in the subject. schools having feeling excluded from the decision- Committee and National Audit Office, to rely There were also concerns about making but they too could only look The end of A-Level as well as being debated wherever on a succession of temporary staff. on as the academy trust pressed exams may impact on school leaders gathered. university applications This was not a one-dimensional ahead with shutting down the education, in this case the barriers Ofsted chief, Sir Michael Wilshaw, shortage. There were some subjects, sixth form. seemed to be raised. reflected the worries of headteachers, such as maths and sciences, where It will mean that next year pupils Knowsley already has one of the lowest saying that recruitment difficulties were it was particularly difficult to find from Knowsley who want to study rates of university entry in the country having a ‘significant impact’ on schools. appropriately-qualified teachers. It A-levels and apply to university will and that, presumably, will not be was also not a problem evenly spread The National Audit Office reported that have to compete for places in schools advanced by the reduction in access to across the country. teacher recruitment targets had been in other boroughs. A few years ago A-levels. there were several schools offering missed for four years and that only It could be harder to get good staff in A-levels in the borough, soon there The coverage of this loss of A-levels about a quarter of physics lessons were coastal towns, which might find it hard will be none. certainly identified some problems likely to be taught by a teacher with a to attract ambitious young graduates. and inconsistencies. After decades of physics degree. It could also be difficult to keep staff A majority of secondary schools in political projects to raise education in areas where house prices were so The National Association of Head England are now academies and the standards – and with Government high that teachers could not afford to Government’s target is to see as many Teachers said it had become a plans currently promising ‘educational live. Low-achieving schools found it as possible acquiring academy status. ‘crisis’ and that when school leaders excellence everywhere’ – the reality on particularly hard to get staff with the The example of Knowsley highlighted advertised for teachers they often the ground seemed very different from suggestion that when teachers could that such an autonomous system the rhetoric. struggled to find the right staff pick and choose jobs, they might not opt can have unintended consequences. and sometimes could not appoint for a school that was already struggling. It also highlighted concerns about Perhaps the most striking factor was anyone at all. Young people are social mobility. the difficulty in making a response. uncertain about a career No matter how it showed itself, in teaching there was a problem. Professor John A major speech this year by Prime The local authority was a bystander Howson, an expert on the teachers’ Minister, David Cameron, had called without any control over a decision employment market, said that the on leading universities to make greater taken by an academy. The Department situation was the worst since 2001–02. efforts to ensure access to youngsters for Education and its regional schools from poorer backgrounds and from commissioners seemed unlikely to So what was causing this teacher ethnic minorities. change the sixth form funding rules for shortage? A big underlying factor has a single school. been the wider recovery in the jobs In the case of Knowsley it seemed that market. There is a well-established social mobility was going backwards, After meetings between ministers, pattern that during a recession more with young people not even being MPs and councillors, a statement people go into more secure jobs, such given the opportunity to take A-levels emerged promising that they would as teaching. within their own borough. While much find a way for A-levels to return to of the ambition and aspiration has Knowsley – but who will teach them When the recession finishes and there been about widening access to higher remains uncertain. is more competition for graduates it becomes harder to attract people

18 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

Headteachers complain about problems with teacher shortages

There was one practical concern that There were particular concerns from the was repeated again and again by secondary sector about the impact this secondary headteachers this year – the could have on the quality of lessons, difficulty in recruiting teachers. including for GCSE and A-level. Even if schools could find someone to put It was a concern that reached the in front of a class they might not be House of Commons Education Select specialists in the subject. schools having Committee and National Audit Office, to rely There were also concerns about as well as being debated wherever on a succession of temporary staff. school leaders gathered. This was not a one-dimensional Ofsted chief, Sir Michael Wilshaw, shortage. There were some subjects, reflected the worries of headteachers, such as maths and sciences, where saying that recruitment difficulties were it was particularly difficult to find having a ‘significant impact’ on schools. appropriately-qualified teachers. It was also not a problem evenly spread The National Audit Office reported that across the country. teacher recruitment targets had been missed for four years and that only It could be harder to get good staff in about a quarter of physics lessons were coastal towns, which might find it hard likely to be taught by a teacher with a to attract ambitious young graduates. physics degree. It could also be difficult to keep staff in areas where house prices were so The National Association of Head high that teachers could not afford to Teachers said it had become a live. Low-achieving schools found it ‘crisis’ and that when school leaders particularly hard to get staff with the advertised for teachers they often suggestion that when teachers could struggled to find the right staff pick and choose jobs, they might not opt and sometimes could not appoint for a school that was already struggling. anyone at all. Young people are uncertain about a career No matter how it showed itself, in teaching there was a problem. Professor John Howson, an expert on the teachers’ employment market, said that the situation was the worst since 2001–02.

So what was causing this teacher shortage? A big underlying factor has been the wider recovery in the jobs market. There is a well-established pattern that during a recession more people go into more secure jobs, such as teaching.

When the recession finishes and there is more competition for graduates it becomes harder to attract people

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 19 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

into teaching. For maths and science graduates, this means that teacher training has to compete with the lure of the banks, financial services and hi- tech industries.

If the wider jobs market puts pressure on the supply of teachers, there was another big factor shaping the demand. There has been a population boom in the school-age population, affecting both secondary and primary levels, which means even more teachers are needed for the rising number of additional classrooms. Influences from Asian With such a surge in pupil numbers, school systems have more teachers would be needed just to to teaching. There was a television been considered when stand still. advertising campaign, emphasising the it comes to teacher placements financial gain as well as the personal The teachers’ unions argued that fulfilment of a career in teaching. another factor was that schools were now so overburdened with bureaucracy There were increases too in the level that teachers were leaving the of cash incentives to enter teaching. profession, so that as well as problems A physics graduate with a first class with recruitment schools could also degree could receive £30,000 tax free struggle with retention. and those with an upper second degree could receive £25,000. There were also When the National Foundation for cash offers in other shortage subjects, Educational Research investigated the such as modern languages and maths. teacher shortage, it found that the extra demand for rising pupil numbers was a This year also saw the beginning of the key factor and that the numbers leaving pilot stage of the National Teaching teaching had remained broadly constant. Service. This has been an attempt to find a way to match high-quality There were also suggestions that the teachers with the schools that need changes in how teachers are trained them most. This idea of putting the best could contribute to creating recruitment teachers in the toughest schools has cold-spots. The emphasis has shifted been a characteristic of successful Asian away from university education school systems such as in Shanghai. The departments to a more localised pattern aim is to develop a pool of teachers who of training teachers in schools. can be deployed to struggling schools The Government accepted that schools or to areas which find it hard to recruit. faced difficulties but warned against As the education select committee ‘talking down the profession’ in observed, there was a political difference the process. of opinion about language, whether The Department for Education could also the recruitment problems should be point out that teacher numbers were not seen as a ‘challenge’ or a ‘crisis’. falling but were at an all-time high. However it is labelled, finding the right Ministers launched a renewed bid teachers remains a serious concern to attract even more applications for schools.

20 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION Nunnery Wood High School

Nunnery Students in China

Stephen Powell, Headteacher hen I was appointed as headteacher 18 months ago, the question was, “How do I make students, staff W and parents aware of how successful we are, without our becoming complacent?” Nunnery Wood High School had a long established reputation for excellent results and behaviour. Nationally, our progress scores placed us amongst the top few schools in the country. Consequently we were oversubscribed. There was a modesty to the school which was commendable but I wanted us spoken of in terms of innovation, energy and ambition. Simply conveying the vast range of events taking that happen as part of our school life would, to a degree, achieve this. When it came to creating a strong self-image however, REPORT CARD I aspired to something more. »»Headteacher: Stephen Powell »»Nunnery Wood High School is in Worcester City. Too often, I believe, publicity focusses on future parents and bypasses the most »»1320 students and 150 staff. effective advocates any school can have: its students and staff. Also, parents need to feel that our communication with the outside world was a true reflection of the »»Broadly national average school and not a glossy and censured version of reality. for Pupil Premium. »»Ability on intake in line with Positive first steps national average (27.6) »»Outcomes: My immediate step was to create an opportunity for a positive initial message. By Progress 8 0.46 surveying a third of our parents we scored on average 97% satisfaction ratings for Best 8 1028 student happiness, trust in the leadership of the school and quality of teaching. This Best 8 Pupil Premium 1014 gave me a wonderful start to create the image I had in mind and to thank parents

NUNNERY WOOD HIGH SCHOOL | 21 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

In the top 10% for Value Added

for their support. This evidence was reviews and celebrations, it gives the used alongside other strong indicators school a fighting chance to capture of high performance to give a boost to the vast array of activities that go on. staff morale and to reinforce parents’ The senior leader focussing on Events trust in us. and Communication coordinates each publication which is in high resolution Staffing colour and externally printed. I was keen that students saw their writing, To improve communication, I needed art and photography presented in a the right people in the right posts. I highly professional context. In fact, the appointed an excellent senior leader quality of the publication is such that it to an “Events and Communication” will be kept as a souvenir for students role while a new-media brief was given writing for it, or featuring in it. This to an existing member of our gifted was the primary aim. A secondary aim Systems team. was to create a powerful marketing vehicle for the school that spoke of Although highly effective, our website our ambitions, professionalism and needed to be brighter, clearer and opportunities; something that could more in line with modern branding. be viewed by prospective parents as a As a leadership team, we pored over window into life at Nunnery. It features the best models from business and also as an e-edition on our website education and defined a model that where it has been viewed several “…a school married functionality with image. thousand times to date. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

culture were linked in. Beyond the revamped website, Nunnery News and an internal team

“through which The next major development might dedicated to communication, students appear counter intuitive in a school are recipients of this communication the personal “ seeking to update its image: the through assemblies, wall-mounted development creation of a student led newspaper. TV screens and tutor periods in which “Nunnery News” is a million miles from Nunnery News is shared. Schools of pupils the amateur student newspaper of are insular places; my assemblies thrives…” the past. Published six times per year, frequently refer to the presence of comprising 20 or so pages of news, the school in the community and

22 | NUNNERY WOOD HIGH SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

“Disco Inferno” media – partly to engender pride in Nunnery News gave us a chance to our many achievements, but also to offer a glimpse into the packed life of raise awareness of the world at large in a student at the school and an insight which students will soon play a major into the huge range of visits, trips part. They are told, on a regular basis, and events that go on. Conveying that they are part of something special the ongoing life of the school beyond and that they should be proud of this what can be witnessed during two as well as accepting that they have a days of inspection is notoriously responsibility to play their part. difficult task for all headteachers. Nunnery News was effective and How did we measure impact? memorable enough to get its own mention in the final Ofsted as a, “high Within a year of my headship, there quality, student led publication.” The is impact. For any school, admission Ofsted report’s first line was, “Leaders numbers are critical. Communication only promotes an organisation if the and governors have established a message is positive and thanks to our school culture through which the superb staff and students, we’ve had personal development of pupils thrives a constant stream of good news to and academic success is cultivated.” share. Also, the school is promoted Again, the speed with which a sense conventionally through, for example, of our ethos could be communicated open evenings and mornings. Parents through Nunnery News and other naming us as their first preference are vehicles helped the hard work of staff, up significantly on last year’s figures. intense preparation of school leaders “established a I believe that a revived public image and enthusiasm of the students shine and sense of self-belief has helped with through in inspection. school culture this enormously. The day to day business of Nunnery “through which “ Certainly during a recent Ofsted Wood High School is the business of the personal inspection, we achieved a second day learning and building futures. We are of inspection and narrowly missed developing a public voice that tells the development of “Outstanding”. The website and world how well we do in that business. pupils thrives”

NUNNERY WOOD HIGH SCHOOL | 23 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy

n September 2013 I was appointed to my first headship role at Shelfield Community Academy. Barely four months later, Ithe academy was placed in Special Measures. The key areas of weakness identified by Ofsted were leadership including Principal Paula Arrowsmith describes the academy’s governance, mathematics, and the quality of learning and teaching. dramatic turnaround in less I knew that no one person could singlehandedly lift the school out than 18 months – one of the quickest ever achieved. of special measures – it would be the actions of a focused team working together towards a common goal to improve outcomes and provision for young people. Fortunately, the staff, students and parents, all pulled together and Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) provided the academy with a new Interim Executive Board in September 2014 before taking on a more formal role as sponsor.

REPORT CARD How did we achieve this transformation? »»Principal: Paula Arrowsmith Our academy values, created early into my appointment and developed with »»School: Ormiston Shelfield students and staff, have never been more apt. Our values are: Aspiration; Community Academy Responsibility; Positivity and Achievement. Special Measures required all of us to »»Sponsor: Ormiston have high aspirations and expectations, of ourselves and our students; it required Academies Trust (OAT) all staff to take responsibility for the situation we found ourselves in, without attributing blame. It required a team spirit, for problems to be treated as a challenge »»Location: Walsall, West and an unrelenting focus on raising and praising student achievements. Midlands »»Number of Students: 1316 Leadership »»Number of Staff: 206 The first priority was key changes to systems and structures. This included a renewed »»Percentage of Pupil Premium focus on our values of Aspiration and Achievement and the introduction of some new Students: 47% leadership roles to make change happen. We began by making academy targets more »»Percentage of students with challenging ensuring that students and staff were aiming higher in terms of achievement. SEN: 20% Several leaders at local schools and OAT schools were keen to support us and staff visited high achieving schools at both secondary and primary level which helped give a renewed »»Ofsted Rating: Good focus in terms of what was possible and what could be achieved.

24 | ORMISTON SHELFIELD COMMUNITY ACADEMY SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

The changes to governance, brought »»Non-Teaching posts of Aspirations about by OAT’s sponsorship, included Leader and Community Engagement …do not feel a progress board and an Interim Coordinator. you are not Executive Board, rigorously monitoring »»Lead teachers – Outstanding teachers progress against academy targets, within the academy who work “responsible providing challenge and support as well supportively with other teachers to as reviewing our half termly ‘impact for special improve performance. statements’ linked closely to the Ofsted measures if priorities for improvement.

Learning and Teaching your own We invested heavily in middle leadership, The priority, of course, was developing in our curriculum and pastoral leaders, better learning and teaching in order teaching is and created a real sense of team to improve student performance. Our through annual residential training uncompromising drive to improve good or your“ sessions with the senior leadership team. learning and teaching, included several own classes We focused not just on systems, but on elements. Staff were on board with how to create a positive culture within the changes that needed to be made. get great teams, focusing on how to keep staff Training plans were introduced for feeling positive and motivated whilst teachers but with a view point that results. asking more of them and leading them everyone could improve their teaching. through a period of rapid change. With around 40% of our teaching that was not good, we needed to support In order to lead some of the changes one another to ensure we achieved a ahead we created some new key consistent high quality. The message was posts within the academy all focusing clear, do not feel you are not responsible on raising aspirations, improving for special measures if your own learning and teaching and creating an teaching is good or your own classes get achievement culture: great results. We are a team and anyone »»A Senior Vice-Principal post focusing who is in that positive position should on behaviour for learning, but also be reaching out and helping those who on staff and student well-being. need support to join them. Our strategy »»Two new Vice-Principal posts focusing was rigorous but never ruthless. specifically on learning and teaching Nevertheless, some staff felt that the and student achievement, with a renewed focus and high expectations specific focus on special educational meant that the school was no longer for needs, pupil premium and more able, them. Around a quarter of our teaching gifted and talented students. 6th Formers meeting Nick »»New Assistant Principal posts Gibb MP focusing on numeracy and mathematics; Student leadership and developing a praise culture; Literacy across the curriculum. »»Student Achievement posts in English, Maths and Science departments focusing on: Key stages 3, 4 and 5, as well as the achievement of more able, gifted and talented students and pupil premium students. »»Specific teaching leadership posts for more able, gifted and talented; Student leadership; Curriculum enrichment and broadening horizons.

ORMISTON SHELFIELD COMMUNITY ACADEMY | 25 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

staff moved on to pastures new, needed a focus on learning behaviour, allowing us to recruit some new high in particular developing students’ quality teachers and leaders who wanted understanding of what good learning to be part of our improvement journey. looks like as well as a general focus on standards of behaviour including We invited outstanding teachers to uniform, punctuality, effort and quality become ‘lead teachers’ who could of students’ work. This helped to ensure coach and support those who needed that students understood their part to improve. High quality training sessions within the academy’s transformation. were led by our own staff and focused on key areas of teaching such as questioning, Curriculum planning for students’ specific learning Whilst the academy had always had needs, developing writing and oracy. a reputation for its work with future Rewards & Recognition Members of the Senior Leadership technologies a decision was made to Evening Team visited lessons every hour, move away from ICT-based learning supporting staff as well as upholding to a more traditional curriculum the belief that ‘checking makes the with an emphasis on key skills, such system work’. Our quality assurance as improving extended writing. The systems were developed and are whole curriculum was reviewed at »CULTURE constantly evolving through staff KS4 ensuring that more personalised feedback; the quality assurance pathways were in place. There was a The key factor to the academy’s calendar was revised and we introduced concern that more able students were successful transformation more regular quality assurance not being sufficiently challenged by has been our ability to create with the aim of achieving constant a curriculum that focused heavily on a positive culture. Staff and vocational subjects and allowed early improvement. The aim is always that student welfare has been entry to secure C grades. Therefore the the checking leads to improvements or a priority. We have never curriculum was reviewed to move away praise and sharing best practice. forgotten to celebrate success, from vocational qualifications to more whether that be student Clarity of Expectation traditional GCSEs where appropriate, successes in special assemblies ensuring students were no longer or rewards and recognition Clarity of expectation for staff is key entered early for exams and had the events, or applauding staff when in Special Measures. Staff need to best chance possible of gaining the success in our weekly Feel Good be part of the development process, but grades they were capable of. Friday briefings where staff they do need clear direction, as well as A significant focus has been on support in meeting those expectations. leave the theatre having seen ensuring the curriculum allows for the Working parties helped to come up with some great examples of good development of qualities and not just new expectations for planning, teaching practice, shared some positive qualifications in our young people. In and assessment and expectations were news about the talented young order to develop our academy values regularly revisited through CPD sessions people they work with or and particularly those of aspiration and morning briefings. have simply shared laughter and achievement we have developed – often the best tonic. This Redeveloping the appraisal process a curriculum which offers a wider focus on valuing qualities and ensuring that this was fairly linked range of enrichment opportunities as well as qualifications, on to performance related pay was also for all young people, broadening valuing people as the key to a priority in terms of development of their horizons and motivating them improvement has been what learning and teaching. The policy was to achieve. Our partnership with the has made the difference for rewritten, applied fairly and clearly social enterprise group Human Utopia where students focus on developing Shelfield. Working with staff, linked to the teacher standards and to self-esteem, and become leaders students, parents and governors student outcomes. who have put their heart and themselves is helping students to soul into making the change This clarity is also key for students. realise that they can ‘be the change’ happen has been a very Behaviour at Shelfield remained good, at the academy and are key to our humbling experience! even during our Special Measures journey of improvement. inspection, but we felt that we

26 | ORMISTON SHELFIELD COMMUNITY ACADEMY SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

Broadway Academy

Broadway Sixth-formers, planning their routes for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Silver Expedition

Mr Skelton, Headteacher and Mr Yousif Zaman, Chairman of the Broadway Mosque ur Ofsted inspection earlier this year reported that “The leadership team has developed and enhanced Mr Skelton spoke to 1500 Othe good quality of education in the school since your members of the community predecessors school’s last inspection. Parents, members of the before Friday prayers at local community, pupils, staff and governors fully believe in your the Mosque. He discussed the importance of parents motto ‘Our children, Our community, believe it can be done!’” working with their children in But it has not always been like that. As a large comprehensive relation to the three F’s: school, we have had a long journey to raise the aspirations of all to be Firm, Fair and Friendly. our stakeholders to this level.

Before I became Headteacher at Broadway in September 2008, the school had never achieved an Ofsted better than ‘requires improvement’. Staff morale was low. As a school where the majority of students are Pakistani and Bangladeshi with a sizeable minority of black and Indian students, there were low expectations – not just among staff but among students and parents as well. So raising aspirations was REPORT CARD and still continues to be our key focus. »»Headteacher: Mr. Ron Skelton In 2011, four months before another Ofsted we merged two campuses at Broadway »»Academy: Broadway Academy and Aston into an impressive £21 million campus. At the time we moved we had Birmingham 800 students working in portacabins. It was a mammoth task to merge two schools »»Number of students: 1200 into one and yet in these difficult circumstances Ofsted reported that we were on »»Number of staff: 161 the way to being an ‘outstanding school’. »»25.8% free school meals In 2013 we made the decision to become an Academy, which gave us the »»33% special educational needs opportunity to do more for the local community, to raise aspirations further and to »»Ofsted rating: Good fulfil our ambitions to become an excellent provider of education in the city.

BROADWAY ACADEMY | 27 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

»STUDENT There have been many challenges over an area of significant social and ETHNIC MAKE-UP time to change the culture and ethos economic disadvantage where knife of Broadway. Our vision and ethos and gun crime are prevalent. We do Bangladeshi 33.11% emanate from our shared values across not tolerate community crime coming Indian 9.45% the whole community; a community through our school doors. This has been Pakistani 46.49% that has diverse cultures and faiths. a factor in achieving good behaviour. In 2009 we bid for £3.2m from ‘New Asian (Other) 0.75% We have won many awards, despite Deal for Communities’ to establish a Black (Other) 1.92% the proportion of students eligible for local police station and a community free school meals and the proportion of Somalian 3.26% facility within the school building. Our students with special educational needs Chair of Governors, a Police Constable Other 2.84% and/or disabilities being well above the with 29 years of service is very well- Mixed Race 1.00% national average. In 2010, Broadway known in the community and we have was recognised by the Department for White 1.17% found working with the police and Education as one of the most improved dealing with problems as soon as they 100 schools nationally and in 2012, we arise have been a huge help to good received an outstanding achievement in behaviour. Ofsted commented on ICT from Ofsted. our effective systems for monitoring behaviour and attendance. We have also achieved many prestigious awards for our international We have developed a busy and work – receiving the International thriving community centre to address Schools Award, Citizenship Award and the needs of our students and the Centre of Excellence for Community wider community. We are seen as a Cohesion. Alongside the school’s safe haven for the community with significant academic achievements has 60,000 people using the facility been our outstanding success on the annually for sport, faith events, political sports field. We offer a rich, varied groups and adult education. and hugely successful extra-curricular programme which includes cricket, We have engaged more effectively rounders, judo, boxing, basketball and with local business which has helped to football. We have a weekly newsletter improve opportunities for our students. promoting our students achievements We have strong strategic links with and an annual musical theatre the Greater Birmingham Chambers production from our drama students. of Commerce and we are currently looking at the potential to establish It is a constant challenge to raise the an Alternative Provision free school in The students are aspirations of our students, almost watering peas and partnership with the Sports Hub which adjusting the netting all of whom are from minority ethnic recently received the Queens Award support for the peas to backgrounds and speak English as an for Volunteering. grow up. The students additional language, we embarked are learning planting and Faith is a strong underlying current in horticulture skills through upon the Duke of Edinburgh award the Health for Life and we are now the second highest our school, as it is in many Birmingham project which promotes provider in the City. All students receive schools. The majority of our students healthy eating, exercise have a Muslim faith. Rather than and the understanding free boots and camping equipment. of growing through to The award has developed students’ seeing faith as a means of dividing the cooking their school morals and character. All this adds community, we seek to create inter- grown produce to the confidence of pupils and staff faith activities to bring the community and enhances the school’s role in the and the school together. Our vision is to regeneration of the community. become a national leader and ambassador for inter-faith dialogue. The local community is a major part of In teaching Religious Education our raising aspirations ethos. We serve we draw on the 2007 Birmingham

28 | BROADWAY ACADEMY SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education based on 24 character developing dispositions. We have shared our expertise in delivering RE and ‘Collective Worship’ with schools nationally and also in the House of Commons.

No matter what religion our students have, we encourage them to aspire to a common set of values which underpin everything we do. Our immediate plan, developed out of many years of inter-faith and community work at Broadway, is to set up a regional Year seven student centre for Theology and Community hits another four Cohesion. In September this year Oxford. I see she has also applied to us. as Broadway make We would be delighted to have her”. their way into the we will begin to recruit, as part of quarter finals of the a three year plan to accommodate Birmingham Cup. The Our 2016 Ofsted report states that we 100 sixth form theology students. U13 and U14 teams are “a school with collective values are also in the quarter Our ultimate aim is to become a that responds well to change and is finals, defending the Centre of Excellence for Theology with proactively inclusive”. titles they won last year. recommendations from Mosques, Churches and Temples, with which we But we don’t stand still. We continually already have strong connections. monitor using annual surveys from parents and students. Our quality of Our vision is to be a school with a learning and teaching continues to be society of individual and collective systematically reviewed and evaluated. achievement where deprivation is never a barrier to success. Our motto – our children, our community, believe it can be done – We are developing the culture defines everything we do and sets out of homework and that means our future strategic vision. It is our understanding the home circumstances ambition to be the best school in the of our students. Many do not have country for student progress by 2020. internet access and no quiet space at home to work, so we have extended Year 10 student tackles the Year 9 student the times of school opening hours ball at a match between Aston receives player of the so that students can use our facilities under 15 and Coventry tournament award to do homework after school and at weekends.

This year, two of our students have been interviewed for Oxford and Cambridge Universities and many attend ‘red brick’ universities. Professor Arnull at Birmingham University (Law) said of one girl “I thought she was absolutely excellent: well informed, highly articulate and mentally agile with the right combination of calmness and confidence in her own views. I reckon she has a decent chance of getting into

BROADWAY ACADEMY | 29 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice Cromwell Community College

Principal, Jane Horn, with pupils. Student voice is strong at Cromwell

Weekly assemblies are held for all pupils upil attainment at the beginning of Year 7 is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are judged Pas “low” on entry is greater than the national average for every year group. Additionally the proportion of “high attainers” REPORT CARD is below than national average for every year group. »»Principal: Mrs Jane Horn

»»Location: Cromwell Building Schools for the Future funding allowed £11million refurbishment and Community College is redevelopment in 2012. The impact of improving the learning environment for a larger than average pupils cannot be underestimated. Pupils respect their College; visitors frequently Comprehensive school in comment on how tidy the site is, particularly on the lack of litter. Chatteris, located in the Fens of North Cambridgeshire The College was sitting on a “Good” judgement when the new Principal began in September 2014. The school was revisited in February 2015 and was judged to »»It became a stand-alone 11-18 Require Improvement. It was a disappointing outcome but only for a very short converter academy in 2012 time. It did not take long for the Principal, Governors and many other leaders in »»Number on roll is the school to recognise this as an opportunity to drive the College forward. The approximately 1150 with Requires Improvement judgement gave the remit to continue the work which had a rapidly growing Post begun at the start of the academic year. That inspection validated the existing 16 provision. There are action plan and gave absolute credence to both the direction in which the College approximately 75 teaching had already begun to move, and to the work of the leadership team. staff with 90 support staff The College has continued to improve rapidly since. There have been a number of »»25% of students are pupil changes, including a significant number of staffing changes; including several at premium middle leadership level. The improvements are built on clear principles: »»There are a greater than average number of pupils Simplicity – teachers just need to teach with Special Educational The key message is that our job is to educate young people. We have exposed Needs and Disabilities. the core purpose and stripped away the distractions which we, as teachers can

30 | CROMWELL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

be burdened with. Following the of many subjects and age ranges of introduction of an innovative strategy 11-18; therefore the monitoring and Simplicity“ to quality assure the teaching and support is geared towards the specific should not be learning in the College, standards needs and identified weaknesses of have risen and quickly become all staff. This approach towards both “mistaken for more consistent. We did away with teaching practice and quality assurance ease the traditional lesson observation has hugely increased our capacity schedule; and staff agreed that it to support staff and to hold them was too easy to perform well on an to account. isolated observation. Instead, we have built a programme based on When pupils are reporting to triangulation of learning to judge senior leaders and external visiting teaching effectiveness. educationalists about the effort teachers are putting into preparing and There are now short learning walks, assessing their learning, the impact is alongside focussed work scrutiny and clear to see. This was particularly visible pupil voice meetings conducted by with the improvements in Post 16 staff at all leadership levels. This has outcomes. In 2014 the majority of key removed the stress of preparing for indicators were below national average a formal lesson observation by senior figures, but by 2015 most headline leaders and facilitated more positive figures were either at or above national conversations with staff to celebrate average figures. what they are achieving. It also provides a more realistic view of what Purpose and leadership is happening in the classroom on a daily basis. The College has worked hard to develop a system of leadership in However, simplicity should not be which there is shared ambition, mistaken for ease. The reality is that founded on trust and accountability. expectations have risen considerably These two symbiotic factors are the and led to a much greater focus key to delivering improvement. All on pedagogy and sharing of good staff understand and accept their practice. A one size fits all approach responsibilities, and this has led to a does not work across a curriculum common vision for the College.

The Resource Centre is widely used by pupils of all ranges

CROMWELL COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 31 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

There is rapid growth of Cromwell Sixth Form

Logical structures and processes have parents are all involved in the life of the been introduced so that expectations at College. There is tremendous pride in all levels are very clear. Faculty leaders the positive relationships and the very are encouraged to adapt processes to inclusive nature of the school. Pupils ensure they are fit for their purpose in are encouraged to contribute to the specific curriculum areas, leading to success of the College. A strong focus greater acceptance by staff. However, on student voice has led to a deeper along with this level of autonomy, sense of belonging. Involvement in comes increased accountability for staff, improvement has encouraged pupils particularly middle leaders. An example to take pride in their school and it Governors, is the introduction of new assessment is viewed in the most positive light. policies. Firstly, the purpose of marking During a visit from an external guest,

leaders, staff, was established. Staff agreed that the a group of pupils were asked one point of marking had to be to improve lunchtime to “dish the dirt on the

“pupils and pupil learning, not just to demonstrate College and tell him what it was really to senior leaders or OfSTED that books like.” He was met with the response parents are“ all were marked. Faculty leaders were that there was nothing wrong with asked to write policies for their areas involved in the the College and that “Cromwell was based on the requirements of their loyal to them, so they were loyal to life of the subjects. This has meant that there is Cromwell.” There have been countless no dictat regarding the regularity of College occasions where pupils have responded marking or a particular format; subjects in a similar fashion. provide feedback in a fashion which is pertinent to them. This approach has This reciprocal loyalty is matched had tremendous impact. Pupils regularly with a common courtesy where staff recognise the quality of feedback encourage the students to engage and they receive because it is concrete and interact. For example, members of the clearly shows them how to improve. senior leadership team, including the Principal, are visibly on duty every break Sense of community and lunchtime. The modelling of such The College flourishes due to the positive behaviour has an influence on commitment of all stake holders. pupils which is hard to overestimate. Governors, leaders, staff, pupils and

32 | CROMWELL COMMUNITY COLLEGE SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION Kesteven & Grantham Girls’ School

The facilities in school encourage us to work as hard as we can. We enjoy our lessons because the teachers are supportive and encouraging

David Scott, Headteacher ave you heard about the school that won the Under15 English Schools’ Girls’ Water Polo Championships two Hyears running but doesn’t have a swimming pool? Well, that’s Kesteven & Grantham Girls’ School (KGGS). It typifies its students’ belief that just about anything is possible if you are truly determined to achieve it.

REPORT CARD

Our students are inspired »»Headteacher: David Scott Graded outstanding by Ofsted in 2011, we are totally committed to maintaining »»11-18 state selective girls’ this status. KGGS is a school full of very able girls. What makes it special is that school students, typically, achieve over half a grade higher in their GCSEs than would be »»Location: Grantham, expected, using national data. This places us in the top 7% of schools for value- Lincolnshire added. »»Founded 1910, converted to academy 2012 We celebrate the successes of our current students within school, knowing that they will inspire each other. The school’s motto in Latin is “Veras hinc ducere »»1200 students with 320 in voces” which effectively translates as “From this place draw true inspiration”. sixth form The school numbers amongst its former students Britain’s first female Prime »»Ofsted Grading: Outstanding Minister, Margaret Thatcher, an achievement of which we are proud, but it is photographs of successful current students that adorn our corridors. As they go about their day, girls see their peers pictured in national athletics, water polo, rugby, triathlon, Bar Mock Trial and Bank of England competitions and they believe that it really “could be me”.

KESTEVEN & GRANTHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL | 33 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Our students are challenged and A-Level options and match our staffing accordingly. We aren’t moved Whilst having a consistent record of to change with every national initiative academic excellence at the highest but believe in a foundation of academic levels, we also recognise our duty to subjects for our students. develop the whole person. On becoming an academy in 2012 The outstanding Staff continually strive to bring out we asked “What can we do that will the best in the girls, both academically benefit our students further?” – we curriculum is and through a range of extra- were successful with our capital curricular activities. We have exchange bid to part-fund a Creative and “extremely well programmes with French, German, Expressive Arts block and a Sixth Form matched to Spanish and Japanese schools, regular Study Centre, costing £1.2million. Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, We strongly value the contribution students’ involving over 100 students and music of the Arts to the development of and drama productions throughout the young people and Creative Arts preferences and year. Many students participate in sport feature prominently in school life,

ambitions. It is at county, regional, national and some with performances at Shakespeare at international level. festivals, a concert tour to Ireland and

one of the Art study trips to Venice amongst the A curriculum for the students opportunities offered. reasons “ why Very bright girls kept very busy doing examination subjects they have chosen is our A school community with a family feel success is so recipe for success. We mould our curriculum offer around our students Expectations in terms of motivation, high whilst maintaining a strong emphasis determination and achievement are Ofsted 2011 on Mathematics, English and Science. high and our students’ ability and Students pursue Humanities, Arts, enthusiasm for life is impressive Languages and Technology as ambition and evident throughout the school. and interest dictates. Students at KGGS enjoy being part of this school community and embrace All KS4 students study three separate an ethos which encourages and sciences and are encouraged to study values collaboration and support. a foreign language. We devote a great We understand and celebrate the deal of time to ensuring that students contribution that an individual can are given relevant advice for GCSE Unusually, for a girls’ school, make towards the success of others. over half of our Y12 students Academic mentoring schemes are take Mathematics and 60% will Creative Arts feature popular, with most sixth formers paired opt for at least one science prominently at KGGS with younger students.

At the heart of the life of the school is its House system. Organised and maintained by the Sixth Form, this is a wonderful vehicle for encouraging collaboration across the year groups. It provides positions of responsibility for Sixth Form students who support many activities and competitions. Our Head Girls, House Captains and House Secretaries, all of whom are elected by the students, form a highly regarded and cohesive group.

34 | KESTEVEN & GRANTHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

The end of each term sees House Our students achieve Pantomime, Choir Competition or Sports Day; watched by the whole The academic achievement of our school and produced and presented by students is our priority because we know that they deserve to develop the students themselves, it is brilliant the skills which will enable them to entertainment and an invaluable improve their life chances and to opportunity for our students to develop take their place in a society which a range of extracurricular skills. increasingly seeks a wide skill set in Our School Council provides students those who are to shape the future. with opportunities to influence the From the Headteacher down there is a Sixth Formers and younger students enjoy working development of their school and relentless focus on motivating students together prepares them for participation as to do their best. We share the target- active citizens in a democratic society. setting process with our students, Two representatives from each year who then take real ownership of This is our group are elected to serve on the challenging academic goals. School Council for a full academic chance to work By implementing a thorough approach year. Chaired by the Head Girls with to monitoring student progress in an “as a team with the Headteacher, a Governor and honest, respectful and evidence-based Deputy Headteacher also attending, all the year environment, all teachers play their meetings allow students to discuss part in supporting students towards whole-school issues and communicate groups in our successful outcomes. Faculty Heads their views, concerns and suggestions produce regular detailed reports on Houses to for improvements. student achievements and progress compete against Students are encouraged to look which form the basis of in-depth beyond themselves and support local discussions with the Headteacher, each other. The and national charities. Each form elects where success is celebrated and rivalry between representatives to the school Charities routes to further improvements are

Committee, which decides the term’s considered. With the new Progress 8 us is great fun charity. Forms also organise events measure showing a score of 0.6 for to support their chosen charities or KGGS this year, 75% of A-level grades and brings the“ respond to specific appeals. Students at A*/B and 95% of our Y13 students whole school typically raise £12,000 in a year and, gaining places at their chosen university, in 2011 sent £4,700 to Fukushima, we believe that KGGS is helping local together for Japan, following the tsunami and girls to be inspired, to be challenged nuclear disaster. and to have achieved. each event

We are committed to providing healthy and nutritious food and were proud to be awarded the DfE Secondary School Food Achievement Award in 2015.

Behaviour is excellent throughout all year groups because our shared expectations are high and the students see KGGS as their school. The House-based form groups have close relationships with their tutors and Heads of Year so that, even in a large school, everyone feels valued and cared for.

KESTEVEN & GRANTHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL | 35 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice Parkside Community School

Parkside Community School Parliament 2016-2017 “Students are well cared for and kept safe” Ofsted June 2015 arkside Community School is now benefiting from the huge changes made in the past three years. The school has made Pmajor improvements in all key measures, exceeding national averages and placing the school in the upper quartiles nationally across a number of areas. This academic achievement clearly challenged any negative perceptions which may have been held in the past by the local community due to the school’s failure

REPORT CARD to meet the minimum standards expected of all secondary schools. The improvement journey which has resulted in the »»Headteacher: recent successes, has involved all stakeholders who have worked Mrs Kam Grewal-Joy tirelessly to change the culture and ethos in the school. 2015 »»Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire represented a real turning point for the school and an absolute »»11-16 LA Maintained School validation of all the hard work. »»56% Pupil Premium »»25% special educational Teaching & Learning needs Improvements in teaching and learning have been at the core of the significant »»62% 5A*-C including English changes introduced at Parkside over the past three years. The introduction of non- and maths (2015) negotiables for teachers and learners have brought about big improvements in »»77% expected progress and the classroom. This has resulted in better progress and a more consistent learning 38% exceed expected experience for students. The school has worked hard to create a culture where staff progress in English (2015) are willing to share and improve their practice with others. Termly good practice »»72% expected progress and sessions and the school’s Teaching Leaders are used to support, celebrate and 35% exceed expected strengthen teaching across all areas. This has been instrumental in reducing within progress in maths (2015) school variation and providing children with a more consistently good or better learning experience.

36 | PARKSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

Marking & Feedback

“Among the various means by which you have improved the quality of teaching, the use of MAD (‘Make a Difference’) time is motivating the pupils by helping them to understand what they have learned and how to improve, which has increased their self-confidence and their aspirations to do well.” Ofsted 2015. A Teach, Review and Improve strategy has informed the way that teachers mark and give feedback to students. This has strengthened the dialogue between “Better Teachers teachers and students. Its value and – Better Teaching – Improved Progress” benefits are evident in the student one of the Senior Leaders. The school Ofsted June 2015 responses and have led to an improved minibus is sent out every morning to climate for learning. “Feedback from collect students at risk of not attending. teachers identifies my mistakes, but The school’s Community Liaison Officer, then I always get the opportunity to an ex-Police Officer deployed to run the make them right.” Year 10 student. Pickup has strengthened the school’s existing work with the most hard to Leadership & Management reach families resulting in improvements in overall attendance and a reduction in The clear and unequivocal drive and persistent absence rates. direction for improvement is now seen among leaders at all levels. Literacy Distributed leadership and shared The school recognises that GCSE success accountability have been vital in is dependent on good literacy skills securing and sustaining improvements. and has introduced a weekly stand- All leaders are required to be at least alone literacy lesson for all Key Stage good in their own classroom so that 3 learners and a daily reading session “Small school so they are able confidently to influence you know all the for all year groups. Students at Parkside change and evaluate teaching and teachers” Student are now reading regularly and teachers feedback learning from observation and books. have been effective in reviving children’s “I’m a big believer in walking the talk interest in literature and books. It is not and leading by example. Leaders need unusual to see Year 10 buddy readers to a have clear understanding of their listening to Year 7 students read first roles and responsibilities so that they thing in a morning around the school. are effective in improving the quality of provision in their respective areas.” Year 10 student said, “Being a peer Kam Grewal-Joy, Headteacher reader is great, I have worked hard to build a relationship with Jack and he Attendance tells me if he’s worried about something, I even help him with his homework Attendance was one of the areas the sometimes.” Similarly, Year 7 student school had to improve urgently, although agreed, “Peer reading really helps me. at the time it seemed that all that could I can talk to Jordan about lots of things be done was being done: free breakfasts; and I am a more confident reader. “Students’ conduct rewards; inter-form competitions; It is good to have someone who knows around the school is attendance panels, just to name a few. how to help me with my homework, good” Ofsted June 2015 The Parkside Pickup was introduced by because he has done it before.”

PARKSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL | 37 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Parkside students also went to the From day one my guiding principle ballot box to vote for their members has been that every student at of School Parliament with the best election campaigns and manifestos. “Parkside should be given the The Parliament was created to provide students with opportunities to exercise standard of education and treated responsibility, develop leadership skills with the respect, care and empathy and contribute to the life of the school. They are now a driving force in the I would want for my own children. school; willing to give their views to staff and Governors alike. They are I regularly invite staff to reflect on managed by the Headteacher as they

their practice and our provision on hold a leadership position in school and are regularly seen in the school canteen

that basis too. It is a powerful gathering the opinions of students on matters which concern them to bring message to give to all those who “ to their monthly Parliament meeting. work at Parkside and this baseline “We are the future of Parkside and I helps to ensure that we maintain the will do my best to represent the views and wishes of my fellow students. I have high standards we set for ourselves. already thrown myself into school life Kam Grewal-Joy, Headteacher achieving a Librarian position. This role allows me to communicate with students of all ages; which is one of my strengths Parkside Parliament that I bring to the Parliamentary role.” Year 7 Parliament member. Student feedback has regularly been used to shape and evaluate policy Homework at Parkside, especially at a time of great change and transition. In line The school has had to take a hard with the General Election in 2014, line on a number of things with students, staff and parents. The online »YEAR 6/7 TRANSITION homework package introduced in 2014 allows staff, students and parents to As a small school we pride ourselves in getting to know our students. Our see what is being set and when it is links with our feeder schools are excellent and our induction programme due. There is nowhere to hide now. for Year 5 and 6 students includes taster days, regular visits to lessons and Parents are sent alerts to their phones joint celebrations. We believe that Year 7 is a very important stage in the of what homework has been set and education of students and success at this stage leads to a greater success in leaders are able to easily monitor the the future years. This is why we invest heavily in our transition programme quality and regularity of work being set and take the time to get to know our students well at a very early stage. in their areas. Students who struggle The transition programme for the children coming to Parkside will include to organise themselves make good use tuition support with the Y6 SATs, a joint Parkside Sports day with all feeder of the extensive homework clubs and primaries, a transition week in July and regular visits to Parkside throughout study support sessions offered after Year 6. Most importantly, our students tell us that what we are doing works. school. A compulsory Independent Learning Club (ILC) has been “Coming to Parkside for a week meant we could find our way round in introduced with the support of parents September without getting lost.” Year 7 student. for such students. Parents have found “Coming here for a week in the summer term meant that I got to meet that as their child is now completing new friends and got to meet the teachers. Parkside is a really good school.” homework in the ILC there is less Year 7 student conflict and stress in the home.

38 | PARKSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

Sir Graham Balfour

A developmental curriculum helps ensure student engagement

Headteacher David Wright ir Graham Balfour is a true comprehensive school. We serve two of the most economically deprived wards in Stafford Sbut also a number of more affluent rural areas. This provides an eclectic social mix and an intake which has a huge range of abilities on entry. We are regularly oversubscribed.

The range of abilities poses a particular challenge. A close, longstanding and active relationship with each of our primary partners has been key to ensuring we ‘hit the ground running’ with students right from the start of Year 7. We use the in-depth information gathered via our transition programme to highlight groups for targeted REPORT CARD support. Ongoing analysis of progress data throughout KS3 ensures a focus on the needs »»Headteacher: David Wright of all students. We believe any attainment gaps are best addressed early, as, over time, if »»11-18 Community left untreated, they will inevitably widen. We provide extensive support in both Literacy Comprehensive School and Numeracy in order to ensure all students can access the rest of the curriculum. »»Location: Stafford A continuing dialogue with primary colleagues about the development of the »»900 students including 120 in new National Curriculum has influenced markedly our curriculum design at KS3, the Sixth form especially in the core subjects. We are currently working in conjunction with several »»61 teaching and partners to develop our own method of assessment following the abolition of 39 non-teaching staff National Curriculum levels and to devise a joint developmental curriculum which will »»18% of students eligible foster progression throughout both primary and secondary phases. for Pupil Premium A key to our year on year advances in achievement has been our intense focus on »»21% of students with Special all aspects of teaching and learning. Teaching staff are actively involved in continual Educational Needs strategic reviews of their curriculum, their delivery and their achievements which »»Ofsted rating: Good with are recognised and celebrated. Strengths are systematically shared and everyone, Outstanding features whether a member of Leadership Group or a Newly Qualified Teacher, is welcome

SIR GRAHAM BALFOUR | 39 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

recognise and appreciate the importance of their role in helping to raise student achievement.

The impact of this approach comes over strongly in the following comments from our most recent ‘Investors in People’ report:

»»‘I get a real sense that what I do is valued.’ »»‘Staff consistently demonstrate their commitment to the success of the school and see this as their prime A Coaching Trio responsibility whatever their role’.

and even invited, to contribute to We have developed a real sense of the delivery of an extensive in-house community in a host of ways. We were Behaviour in programme of Continual Professional one of the first schools in the area to Development. Support in the form introduce a mixed age, vertical tutor lessons is of planning days, visits to other system. When a student transfers from “exemplary. schools and regular observations of primary school, they are placed in a tutor colleagues has resulted in a staff who group which includes students from Students show willingly embrace change and who Years 7-11. This works on so many levels.

great are committed to constant innovation, Each tutor group is a micro-community reflection and self-improvement. In in itself and is part of a larger community

enthusiasm and addition, Coaching Trios, where staff within one of four Houses. An extensive are placed in a group of 3 and conduct programme of House activities helps are often totally “ an ongoing evaluation of each other’s instil a real sense of belonging and practice, have proved to be particularly Inter-House competitions develop a engrossed in the successful in raising standards. healthy respect for competition. tasks that are The contributions of our non-teaching Our wider community activities have staff have also been an integral part set for them an intense local focus. We support a of our success. We have an extensive, number of charitable organisations and bespoke development programme initiatives. We provide ongoing support aimed at addressing individual need Sir Graham Balfour to a local hospice, to local care homes, and on ensuring that all colleagues students visit Sir Graham a dementia village and to the Young Balfour Cambodia Carers group. The support we provide biennially goes far beyond one-off fund-raising activities, but involves regular contact and interaction with many different groups of students.

We are also very proud of a community initiative which gives a global dimension to our activity. In 2002, when Sir Graham Balfour School was re-built under a PFI initiative, we moved into our new accommodation. Aware of how fortunate we were compared with others, we wanted to do something significant to address

40 | SIR GRAHAM BALFOUR SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION disadvantage elsewhere. We focused on Cambodia where the educational infrastructure had been systematically dismantled under the Khmer Rouge. In partnership with a Japanese-American charity, we embarked on a project to build a school in Chiphat province, using funds raised from a host of school-based activities. Sir Graham Balfour Cambodia opened in 2004 and now has 400 students. Four original classrooms became six and our ongoing financial support has provided computers, solar generators, classroom resources, playground facilities and even helped fund staff salaries. On a biennial basis, several of our Sixth Form students visit the school to teach and to assess areas of future need.

We pride ourselves on the inclusive involvement of students at Sir Graham Balfour School. All are eligible to stand for our School Parliament which has a very active role in shaping school life. They review school aims, negotiate changes to school rules and help organise many of our enrichment activities. A recent ‘Futures Day’ was devoted to the theme of ‘Respect’. All SGB students and staff staff and students undertook activities with MP for Stafford devised by Parliament resulting in real Jeremy Le Froy outside inclusive collaboration, is an important pride in collaborative outcomes. Parliament factor in creating an appropriate In May 2015, we held a mock general climate for learning. Our latest OFSTED election to coincide with the actual report highlighted that: ‘Behaviour in one. Debates on key issues, structured lessons is exemplary. Students show campaigns, opinion polling and a great enthusiasm and are often totally ‘Question Time’ session involving the engrossed in the tasks that are set for Parliamentary candidates for Stafford them’. were significant features of the exercise All these activities have generated which culminated in a ballot. Later in momentum from within and are the year, all student candidates were sustainable in the long term. They taken to London where they met the provide an excellent platform for victorious MP for Stafford who showed further progress. The next logical them round the Palace of Westminster step has been for us to create a more and provided tours of the House of formal structure for our partnerships Commons, the House of Lords and a in the form of a Multi-Academy Trust. visit to key Government buildings. This fits well with our motto which is: The positivity students feel from ‘Learning, working and succeeding’ vibrant teaching and learning, active together. community involvement and from

SIR GRAHAM BALFOUR | 41 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice Stratford Upon Avon School

An exciting range of extracurricular opportunities

Neil Wallace, Headteacher econdary school is a formative experience for young people. Our mission is to engage, enthuse and inspire; to create an Senvironment where young people can achieve extraordinary things. We are passionate about ensuring that our students are supported, challenged and inspired throughout their time with us.

REPORT CARD All schools have a unique feel and Stratford upon Avon School is characterised by »»Headteacher: Neil Wallace passionate, creative and innovative practice. The culture of the school is based upon »»No. of students: 1400, positive relationships and the belief that we work better and are more productive including 240 in the Sixth when we feel good about ourselves and trust each other. Form »»Age range: 11–18 years Engaging Learning and Teaching

»»Catchment area: students In the three years since being appointed Headteacher at Stratford upon Avon School attend from approximately I have had the opportunity to appoint over half of the teaching staff. Employing 35 primary schools in the high quality, engaging teachers is particularly important in creating a unique Stratford upon Avon area atmosphere in our area where the local grammar schools are often presumed »»Academy since 2011, with to be superior. We have also invested in ensuring that all teachers seek to refine 193 staff comprising of 81 full their practice. Appointing staff whose primary task is to improve the performance time equivalent (FTE) teachers of classroom teachers is often overlooked in many schools. At Stratford, we have and 77 FTE support staff made a financial commitment to appoint a team of Lead Practitioners who have »»Ofsted rating: Good (2016) been fundamental to enabling the culture of the school to focus on teaching that engages students. Whilst they are outstanding teachers in their own right, our Lead Practitioners have a significantly reduced teaching load enabling them to enthuse and coach staff so that colleagues are encouraged to take risks and bring a sense of fun into their pedagogy, rather than simply being told what to do. This has resulted in a commitment to developing learning and teaching which permeates the school.

42 | STRATFORD UPON AVON SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

This cultural change has manifested itself in many different forms, including One Minute Wonders where staff share brief practical tips and Feel Good Friday teaching challenges for the following week. A series of voluntary internal and external TeachMeets enable teachers to share best practice, practical innovations and personal insights in sharply focussed 2, 5 or 7 minute presentations. When 43 of our teachers voluntarily gave up an evening to share ideas in the last week of term at one of these TeachMeets, we knew that Engaging Learning and we had established a common purpose Teaching that was sharply focused on improving These run alongside more vocational the quality of learning and teaching. options including an Architecture and Underpinning all this are rigorous Construction GCSE which is sponsored and innovative assessment and data by a local company, whilst specialist staff tracking systems which are enabling are brought in to deliver Hair and Beauty The school’s staff to deliver improved student courses in our bespoke, on-site studio. progress and attainment. published aim

Stratford benefits from the “through its

Warm relationships and opportunities available at a large opportunities that enthuse school, though we have a pastoral curriculum is system to ensure that it feels like a small Good learning and teaching are school. The school has a genuinely to ‘engage, “ underpinned by a curriculum tailored to warm atmosphere and supportive enthuse and meet students’ needs. Consequently, relationships between students and examination results, behaviour, attitudes staff. This is enhanced by vertical inspire’ and to learning and attendance have tutoring and our college system which improved. Students select their GCSE provide both a family atmosphere and this aim is met options in Year 8 and it is important a competitive element within school. Ofsted, 2016 that the right people study the right Every morning students meet in mixed courses for the right reasons. Another age groups. These groups help break important impact is the raised profile of down barriers and enable younger the school as perceived by parents and students to make older friends easily, Encouraging students carers and the local community. thus creating a nurturing atmosphere. to explore their own interests allows for We pride ourselves on the experiences growth and relationships that our youngsters benefit from.

We offer a mouth-watering range of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities to enthuse our students. Traditional academic courses are supplemented by exchange programmes with France and Spain, work experience placements in Paris, visits to Ypres, Berlin and New York, alongside local events like workshops with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

STRATFORD UPON AVON SCHOOL | 43 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Inspiring the best start The next steps in life

Inspiring the best start in life The next steps The purpose of education is to prepare We have a relentless focus on youngsters for adult life and we improving the education of our young believe that the best place to do that people. We are determined to continue is in a non-selective, co-educational raising aspirations and expectations environment. Students need to develop so that all our students have the skills, the skills to thrive alongside different attributes and qualifications to flourish people in different environments. To in the future. Since being appointed support youngsters moving to the next in 2013, our achievements have stage of their career, we are home to given the wider school community a the Warwickshire ‘Career Hub’. Working confidence that we can continue our in partnership with an independent mission to become one of the best Pupils receive careers company, the school has schools in the country and drive further effectively three full time employees improvements over the coming years. information, dedicated to providing the best The challenge over the next few years information, advice and guidance to “careers advice is to continue to devolve leadership our students. This innovative approach responsibilities to maximise the input and guidance creates opportunities for youngsters to of staff and students. Empowering meet industry professionals – in lessons, middle leaders to lead will particularly of the highest through careers talks and in after- enable the school to move forward by school masterclasses. These sessions quality to help unleashing more creative ideas. Similarly, broaden their understanding of the

we need to encourage all members of them move variety of modern work opportunities staff to take responsibility for their own

and the employability skills that are performance and development as we forward with essential to their making the right seek to embed a self-improving culture. “ GCSE, A level and career choices. their learning. To sustain real improvement we need This is a real We offer an enviable range of to develop closer links with our partner opportunities including targeted events primary schools so that we are able to strength of like our Careers Working with Animals provide greater continuity of experience Evening, Apprenticeships Evening and for the young people and their families the school visits from a range of professionals linked whom we serve. That is something we Ofsted, 2016 to different subjects which are also open are now in a position to do. to youngsters from other local schools.

44 | STRATFORD UPON AVON SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION Thomas Becket Catholic School

Building a curriculum that is centred on individual learning pathways is critical for the future success of our students

The Principal has taken some tough decisions since her arrival and this is a school which homas Becket Catholic School was placed into special continues to improve measures in March 2013; every category was graded as T inadequate. I became the Principal in September 2013. For the first six weeks, every stone I turned revealed deep rooted issues. Systems, were either not effective or did not exist. The easiest solution would have been to paper over the cracks, but, that would not have been a sustainable realistic solution.

ABOUT THOMAS BECKET To change a culture and ethos of a school that had very low aspirations into one CATHOLIC SCHOOL of high expectations and a belief that anyone can achieve regardless of their »»Principal: Mrs Y Lucey background or ability takes time. The hard work and effort takes patience and you’re often left frustrated because you don’t see the results as quickly as you want. »»Location: Northampton »»Established 1975 In the first year I established a new senior leadership team and a brand new middle »»Students on Roll: 729 leadership team. The new team set a clear vision of what sustained improvement would look like; we weren’t interested in quick fix solutions. We wanted to lay »»Age range: 11 to 18 Years foundations of what will be an outstanding school. In February 2015 our Ofsted »»49.1% from Ethnic Minority report quoted “The Principal has taken some tough decisions since her arrival and Groups this is a school which continues to improve”. »»28.1% of pupils first language not/believed not to be English All leaders have taken part in a successful coaching and mentoring programme as we want to develop an effective distributed leadership model. Systems and processes are all in place and now it’s about ensuring they are effective at all times for what we want to achieve.

Recruitment was difficult and not an easy task when you’re trying to recruit to a school that is in special measures. However, we have taken a relentless approach

THOMAS BECKET CATHOLIC SCHOOL | 45 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

in recruitment securing high quality local outstanding secondary schools, staff, and not only with experience, but The Duston School in Northampton with fresh thinking, and high quality and Sir Christopher Hatton based in academic staff in teach first recruits. Wellingborough. We identified what we needed in good and outstanding Our first step was ensuring that practices and these were then shared teaching and learning improved, as and modelled throughout our school. that is the core purpose of our school. Teaching and learning was poor, one Bringing consistently good outcomes of the first things I did was to introduce across all subjects doesn’t happen unannounced observations; I didn’t overnight and our first areas to tackle want us to become a ‘Big Brother’ were English and Maths. English environment, but I needed to know historically achieved in line with exactly what quality of teaching and national averages in most areas and learning students were getting typically significantly outperformed Maths. We every day. I didn’t want to observe employed the Head of Maths from staff pull off one good lesson during one of our local outstanding schools a planned observation and then deliver as our Executive Head of Maths for the inadequate lessons for the rest of the first two years. Our results dramatically day. This was met initially with some improved to be in line with national resistance, but as we have improved so averages and we now have our have our methods of observations on Director of Maths initiating the same teaching and learning. Where possible, model of good practice with other observations are carried out jointly with faculty leaders within our school. senior and middle leaders to allow for peer professional development and Creating high expectations across the We aim to build confident young learners sharing of good practice. We now school for everyone also meant we who strive to reach their employ three Lead Practitioners to had to teach our students to develop full potential develop teaching and learning across high expectations for themselves. We the school as well as having a central introduced the’ Non Negotiables’. This teaching and learning hub where is an expectation that students arrive The outcomes staff can drop in for resources and on time to school, fully equipped with coaching tips. essential items and ready to learn for the day and to take pride in the quality achieved by Year Accountability was previously non- of their work that they produce. The existent and introducing systems “7 students at the vast majority of our parents have that made everybody accountable supported us in this new approach to end of the year has been a steep learning curve for make our students responsible for their staff. Perfomance Management is own learning. are outstanding rigorous and we are aspirational with 72% of in our targets. Staff understand Our student voice has developed and that there is a greater emphasis increased its role across the school. making the placed on their own professional Students are very much involved in

equivalent of performance. To complement our reshaping, developing and improving

robust performance management there the school. one full level of is a strong personalised approach to continuing professional development. We have a vibrant sixth form which has progress in “ All briefings with staff have teaching been judged good by Ofsted. and learning at the heart of discussion English and 68% and this has helped to focus staff in Our sixth form students know that raising expectations. they are role models for our younger of the students students and many are student in mathematics In the early days, we looked outwardly ambassadors - you will often find to work in partnership with two the sixth form students sat with our

46 | THOMAS BECKET CATHOLIC SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION younger students assisting them in personal development and character. literacy and numeracy lessons when We also run the Duke of Edinburgh their timetable allows. award and this year a group of sixth form students are taking a three week In September 2014 we opened a expedition to Borneo which has been football academy. This is run by Eddie completely funded by the students own McGoldrick, an ex-international fund raising activities. footballer who has played for various premiership clubs including Arsenal and What Next Crystal Palace. There are 38 students following a programme of excellence There is still a huge amount to do in football training balanced with but we will not stop until we achieve outstanding academic qualifications. outstanding outcomes for all of our This is set to develop further as we students. We will continue to have become a satellite foundation club for teaching and learning at the core of premiership club Crystal Palace in 2016. everything we do and want it to be outstanding across all areas Building a curriculum that is centred on individual learning pathways is critical We want to develop a house system for the future success of our students. built around our 5 core values of Faith, Individual guidance and support of our Justice, Compassion, Truth and Respect students in choosing the right learning that will strengthen the already strong pathway to secure successful student sense of family and community at outcomes is now starting to come the school. to fruition. We aim to build confident young Our first year students, Year 7 follow learners who strive to reach their full a bespoke curriculum model in our potential by teaching them the love of Phoenix centre. According to their learning and what it can secure for a individual starting points, students bright future. spend a substantial proportion of Along our journey we aim to build a their timetabled curriculum in the learning community where students centre focusing largely on literacy and will have the support and opportunities numeracy with specialised teaching to meet their full potential and one staff. This model allows our students that prepares them to take their own to feel safe and secure and has helped steps towards creating an exciting, Extracurricular activities them in the transition from primary to are an integral part of everlasting dent upon the universe. secondary school, as well as quickly student life at Thomas Becket Catholic School developing the academic learning skills Since becoming Principal of a school needed for their GCSE studies which that was in special measures there they will begin in Yr9. have been many highs and lows in everything we do and the changes Our catholic The outcomes achieved by Year 7

that we have made, but being part students at the end of the year are school is built of a team that is improving a school outstanding with 72% of students has been extremely rewarding. Our “around the 5 core making the equivalent of one full level Catholic school is built around the 5 of progress in English and 68% of the values of Respect,“ core values of Respect, Truth, Justice, students in mathematics Compassion and Faith. We base Truth, Justice, Extra-curricular activities are an integral everything we do on these core values part of student life at Thomas Becket and we will continue to strive to be Compassion Catholic School; we believe that these outstanding. and Faith opportunities add to our student’s

THOMAS BECKET CATHOLIC SCHOOL | 47 Review of Parliament

Graceful in defeat – David Cameron responds to the verdict of the EU Referendum

Eleven months after delivering the first outright Conservative General Election victory since 1992, David Cameron came to the Commons Dispatch Box as a lame duck Prime Minister, a caretaker who would remain in office only until his successor could be named. The Referendum vote to leave the EU had ended his career with brutal finality.

He was cheered by his MPs as he arrived in a packed Commons Chamber and he seemed remarkably good humoured. Moments before he rose, the newest MP, Rosena Allin-Khan, who had been elected to replace Labour’s Sadiq Khan, the new Mayor of London, had been introduced. With mass resignations from Labour’s Shadow Cabinet as the leadership crisis in the Opposition unfolded, he advised her to keep her phone on because she might be promoted by the end of David Cameron’s the day. resignation speech relationship Britain would seek with the outside 10 Downing Then he gave his response to the EU were matters for his successor. He Street Referendum decision. ‘It was not the said he would take that message to the result that I wanted, or the outcome emergency European Council meeting I believe is best for the country I love that had been convened for the next but there can be no doubt about the day, to respond to the Brexit vote. result. Of course I do not take back what is said about the risks; it is going ‘Tomorrow will also provide an to be difficult…’ He also promised opportunity to make the point that an upsurge in hate crime against that although Britain is leaving the migrants would be stamped out. European Union we must not turn our back on Europe or the rest of the One of his key announcements was world,’ he added. that he would not trigger the formal EU exit process – Article 50 of the For Labour, Jeremy Corbyn – accused Lisbon Treaty – and the timing of that of fighting a lacklustre referendum decision and the nature of the future campaign – said his party had put

48 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT Review of SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION Westminster Leader, Angus Robertson, said the Scottish Government would Parliament seek to protect Scotland’s place. ‘We are a European nation and it really matters to us that we live in an outward-looking country, not a Graceful in defeat – David Cameron diminished little Britain.’ The Liberal Democrat Leader, responds to the verdict of the Tim Farron, said he still passionately EU Referendum believed British interests were best served by being at the heart of Europe. Eleven months after delivering the first A few moments later his predecessor, outright Conservative General Election the former Deputy Prime Minister, victory since 1992, David Cameron Nick Clegg, said it could not be right came to the Commons Dispatch Box as that the Conservative Party members a lame duck Prime Minister, a caretaker who would elect Mr Cameron’s With the upheaval replacement would, in effect, choose a who would remain in office only until caused by the UK’s his successor could be named. The European referendum, forward a positive case for Remain new Government. Surely, he said, there Referendum vote to leave the EU had many questions are still and had convinced two thirds of its should now be a General Election? to be answered ended his career with brutal finality. supporters. He said people in many A series of Conservative Leave communities felt disenfranchised and campaigners, the veteran Sir Bill Cash, He was cheered by his MPs as he powerless because they had been failed, the former Cabinet Minister, Owen arrived in a packed Commons Chamber not by the EU, but by Tory governments. and he seemed remarkably good Paterson, and others praised the Prime humoured. Moments before he rose, He complained that the campaign had Minister for holding the referendum, the newest MP, Rosena Allin-Khan, been marked by untruths and half- a line also taken by UKIP’s sole MP, who had been elected to replace truths and added, in a pointed rebuke, Douglas Carswell, who was heavily Labour’s Sadiq Khan, the new Mayor that ‘the country will thank neither the heckled as he warned that the task of implementing Brexit could not be left of London, had been introduced. Government benches in front of me to ‘Europhile mandarins’ and called for With mass resignations from Labour’s nor the Opposition benches behind prominent Leave campaigners to be Shadow Cabinet as the leadership crisis for indulging in internal factional involved – a comment which provoked in the Opposition unfolded, he advised manoeuvring…’ – an observation that provoked a blast of scorn from a backbench shout of ‘Yeah Farage.’ her to keep her phone on because Tory and SNP MPs, and silence from she might be promoted by the end of David Cameron’s This was the first of what will doubtless resignation speech the Labour benches. the day. be scores of Commons statements on relationship Britain would seek with the outside 10 Downing With Scotland having voted to remain the Brexit process – they will become a Then he gave his response to the EU were matters for his successor. He Street in the European Union, the SNP’s fixture in Parliament for years to come. Referendum decision. ‘It was not the said he would take that message to the result that I wanted, or the outcome emergency European Council meeting I believe is best for the country I love that had been convened for the next but there can be no doubt about the day, to respond to the Brexit vote. result. Of course I do not take back what is said about the risks; it is going ‘Tomorrow will also provide an Trident Submarine Renewal to be difficult…’ He also promised opportunity to make the point The first Commons outing for a new She was moving a motion to confirm that an upsurge in hate crime against that although Britain is leaving the Prime Minister is normally a great plans for a multi-billion pound migrants would be stamped out. European Union we must not turn our back on Europe or the rest of the occasion in its own right, but Theresa programme to replace the submarines One of his key announcements was world,’ he added. May’s debut, following the withdrawal which carry the UK’s Trident Missile that he would not trigger the formal of her final opponent in the Conservative nuclear deterrent – a move which EU exit process – Article 50 of the For Labour, Jeremy Corbyn – accused leadership race the week before, was underlined her personal commitment Lisbon Treaty – and the timing of that of fighting a lacklustre referendum overshadowed by a spectacular outbreak to Trident renewal which, she said, decision and the nature of the future campaign – said his party had put of Labour infighting. was essential to national security.

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 49 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, questioned the ‘ever-ballooning ‘ cost of Trident renewal – but for him the central issue was this ‘Do these weapons of mass destruction – for that is what they are – act as a deterrent to the threats we face and is that deterrent credible?’

50 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

She was challenged by the SNP’s Unlike the Prime Minister he was not George Kerevan who asked if she, prepared to press the nuclear button. personally, would order a nuclear strike ‘I would not take a decision that killed which would kill 100,000 innocent millions of innocent people. I do not men, women and children. Her believe that the threat of mass murder response was a blunt, unadorned ‘Yes’. is a legitimate way to go about dealing A nuclear deterrent was pointless if a with international relations.’ government was not willing to use it, Mr Corbyn faced repeated challenges she added. from his own MPs. Angela Smith noted She had open support from he was ‘Fond of telling us all that the Party Conference is sovereign when Labour backbenchers including The UK’s Trident John Woodcock, MP for the it comes to Party policy. Last year the Missile nuclear submarine-building seat of Barrow Party Conference voted overwhelmingly deterrent was one in favour of maintaining the nuclear of the first issues and Furness… ‘Whatever she is about Theresa May faced deterrent, so why are we not hearing a to hear from our Front Benchers, as the UK’s new defence of the Government’s motion?’ it remains steadfastly Labour Party Prime Minister Mr Corbyn retorted that Labour’s policy policy to renew the deterrent while was under review, provoking more other countries have the capacity to shouts from Labour MPs. threaten the United Kingdom and HMS Vanguard many of my colleagues will do the The bombardment continued. The returning to Faslane, right thing for the long-term security former Defence Minister, Kevan Jones, Scotland of Scotland had repeatedly shown It will be for the Scottish people to of our nation and vote to complete the compared Labour’s defence review to their opposition to Trident renewal determine whether we are properly programme that we ourselves started the mythical unicorn; people believed – and he added ‘The Government protected in Europe and better in Government.’ it existed but no-one had ever seen it. have a democratic deficit in Scotland represented by a government that we Former Shadow Armed Forces Minister, and, with today’s vote on Trident, actually elect. At this rate, that day is The Prime Minister answered with Toby Perkins, said the case for not it is going to get worse, not better. fast approaching.’ an approving quote from Labour’s replacing Trident had fallen apart. manifesto, which said Britain must Former Shadow Defence Secretary, remain ‘committed to a minimum, Vernon Coaker, said Britain could not credible, independent nuclear abandon its responsibilities as a senior capability, delivered through a member of NATO. Continuous At-Sea Deterrent’. The vote to bomb ISIL in Syria The SNP’s Westminster Leader, The Government The Green MP, Dr Caroline Lucas, Angus Robertson, said the people voted in favour The Commons surprise vote in August people since 7/7 on the beaches of said the UK’s nuclear weapons drove of the renewal of 2013 rejecting armed intervention in Tunisia and they have plotted atrocities Trident nuclear proliferation. Theresa May did the civil war in Syria was undoubtedly on the streets here at home. Since not accept that at all – and she took David Cameron’s worst-ever November last year our security services a direct swipe at Dr Lucas. ‘Sadly, she parliamentary defeat. That moment have foiled no fewer than seven and some Labour Members seem to reverberated when, two years later different plots against our people, so be the first to defend the country’s in the wake of the Paris attacks, he this threat is very real. The question enemies and the last to accept these returned to the Commons with a is this: do we work with our allies capabilities when we need them.’ motion to allow British forces to strike to degrade and destroy this threat at ISIL, or Daesh, in Syria. and do we go after these terrorists The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, in their heartlands from where they questioned the ‘ever-ballooning ‘ He warned MPs that ISIL was plotting are plotting to kill British people, cost of Trident renewal – but for him Paris-style attacks against Britain and or do we sit back and wait for them to the central issue was this ‘Do these had already targeted this county. attack us?” weapons of mass destruction – for that ‘We face a fundamental threat to our is what they are – act as a deterrent security. ISIL has brutally murdered He was attempting to rally all-party to the threats we face and is that British hostages. They have inspired support for the use of British forces deterrent credible?’ the worst terrorist attack against British in Syria – they were already launching

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 51 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

airstrikes against ISIL in neighbouring Iraq – but many Labour MPs were fuming about remarks he had made the previous evening to a meeting of Conservative MPs, when he suggested people who voted against airstrikes were ‘terrorist sympathisers’. He faced repeated challenges to withdraw and apologise – but stuck to a formula that unity was needed and that it was time to move on.

One focus for questions was the Prime Minister’s claim that there are Hilary Benn took the 70,000 moderate Syrian opposition opposite view to Labour fighters who could act as a ground about any intervention which the leader Jeremy Corbyn over intervention in Syria force against ISIL while the UK gave Prime Minister was careful to answer air support. Under questioning in detail. Its Chair, the Conservative from the SNP’s Westminster Leader, Crispin Blunt MP, said Britain’s military Angus Robertson, he said he was not effort in Iraq had helped stabilise arguing that all of those 70,000 were the country in the face of a rapidly ideal partners but if action was not advancing threat from ISIL and he now taken now, those forces would soon supported extending that effort to be reduced. across the border into Syria.

Another issue was the position of The ensuing debate produced a Labour MPs. In 2013, the Opposition series of passionate speeches – the Leader at the time, Ed Miliband, Liberal Democrat Leader, Tim Farron, had not been prepared to back the gave an emotional description of his Government. By 2015, a combination experiences visiting refugees who had of horror at the brutality of ISIL and made the risky journey to Greece. at the Paris attacks meant there were ‘A seven-year-old lad was lifted from many who supported the use of armed a dinghy on the beach at Lesbos. My force and would defy any attempt to Arabic interpreter said to me, ‘That lad make them vote against it. Crucially, has just said to his Dad, “Daddy are ISIL their number included the Shadow here? Daddy are ISIL here?”’ Foreign Secretary, Hilary Benn. Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat Leader Jeremy Corbyn was opposed to extending the bombing but, under huge pressure, had allowed his MPs a free vote. ‘It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the Prime Minister understands that public opinion is moving increasingly against what I believe to be an ill thought out rush to war. He wants to hold this vote before opinion against it grows even further.’

Another key force in the debate was the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee which had earlier published a report raising a series of questions

52 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION airstrikes against ISIL in neighbouring Winding up the debate for Labour was in prostitution and vice. If it had Iraq – but many Labour MPs were Hilary Benn who took the opposite happened here they could have been fuming about remarks he had made view to Jeremy Corbyn. ‘The carnage our children. the previous evening to a meeting of in Paris brought home to us the clear Conservative MPs, when he suggested and present danger that we face from ‘We are faced by fascists – not just people who voted against airstrikes Daesh. It could just as easily have their calculated brutality but their belief were ‘terrorist sympathisers’. He faced been London, Glasgow, Leeds or that they are superior to every single repeated challenges to withdraw and Birmingham and it could still be.’ He one of us in this Chamber tonight and apologise – but stuck to a formula that said the UK could not leave its defence all the people we represent. They hold unity was needed and that it was time to others and asked what message us in contempt. They hold our values to move on. inaction would send to Britain’s allies – in contempt. They hold our belief in France, in particular. tolerance and decency in contempt. One focus for questions was the They hold our democracy – the means Prime Minister’s claim that there are He listed some of their atrocities: the Hilary Benn took the by which we will make our decision 70,000 moderate Syrian opposition opposite view to Labour gay men thrown off the fifth storey tonight – in contempt… My view is fighters who could act as a ground about any intervention which the leader Jeremy Corbyn of a building in Syria, the mass graves that we must now confront this evil. over intervention in Syria force against ISIL while the UK gave Prime Minister was careful to answer in Sinjar said to contain the bodies It is now time for us to do our bit in air support. Under questioning in detail. Its Chair, the Conservative of older Yazidi women murdered Syria. That is why I ask my colleagues from the SNP’s Westminster Leader, Crispin Blunt MP, said Britain’s military by Daesh because they were judged to vote for the motion tonight.’ Angus Robertson, he said he was not effort in Iraq had helped stabilise too old to be sold for sex, the killing arguing that all of those 70,000 were the country in the face of a rapidly of 30 British tourists in Tunisia, While Jeremy Corbyn folded his arms ideal partners but if action was not advancing threat from ISIL and he now 224 Russian holidaymakers on a and looked away, Mr Benn sat down taken now, those forces would soon supported extending that effort to plane, 178 people in suicide bombings to rapturous cheers and even applause from both sides of the House. A few be reduced. across the border into Syria. in Beirut, Ankara and Suruç and of 130 people in Paris ‘including those minutes later the Government motion Another issue was the position of The ensuing debate produced a young people in the Bataclan, whom was carried with 66 supporters from Labour MPs. In 2013, the Opposition series of passionate speeches – the Daesh, in trying to justify its bloody the Labour benches outweighing the Leader at the time, Ed Miliband, Liberal Democrat Leader, Tim Farron, slaughter, called apostates engaged seven Conservative opponents. had not been prepared to back the gave an emotional description of his Government. By 2015, a combination experiences visiting refugees who had of horror at the brutality of ISIL and made the risky journey to Greece. at the Paris attacks meant there were ‘A seven-year-old lad was lifted from many who supported the use of armed MPs pay tribute to their murdered a dinghy on the beach at Lesbos. My force and would defy any attempt to Arabic interpreter said to me, ‘That lad colleague, Jo Cox make them vote against it. Crucially, has just said to his Dad, “Daddy are ISIL their number included the Shadow here? Daddy are ISIL here?”’ Tributes to Jo Cox MP On Thursday 20 June, a week before Foreign Secretary, Hilary Benn. Tim Farron, Liberal the EU Referendum, campaigning was Democrat Leader Jeremy Corbyn was opposed to in full swing – the usual cycle of attack, extending the bombing but, under rebuttal and counter attack was being huge pressure, had allowed his MPs played out. Suddenly the political world a free vote. ‘It is impossible to avoid shuddered to a halt as news emerged the conclusion that the Prime Minister of the brutal murder of the Labour MP, understands that public opinion is Jo Cox, outside a constituency surgery moving increasingly against what I in her Yorkshire seat. believe to be an ill thought out rush to The House of Commons had been in war. He wants to hold this vote before recess for the Referendum, and was opinion against it grows even further.’ recalled to pay tribute the following Another key force in the debate was Monday. The chamber was packed but the Commons Foreign Affairs Select the seat normally occupied by Jo Cox Committee which had earlier published was left empty, except for two roses – a report raising a series of questions Labour’s red rose and the white rose

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 53 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

of Yorkshire. In the gallery, Mrs Cox’s husband Brendan sat with their two young children and members of their family.

MPs wore white roses and several women Labour members were dressed in the suffragette colours of purple and green. Some MPs wept quietly as the Speaker, John Bercow, opened proceedings ‘We meet today in heart- breaking sadness but also in heartfelt solidarity… all of us who came to know Jo during her all too short service in this House [she had been elected in 2015] became swiftly aware of her outstanding qualities, she was caring, eloquent, principled and wise.

‘Jo was murdered in the course of her duties, serving constituents in need… An attack such as this strikes not only Jo Cox’s maiden speech at an individual but at our freedom.’ to Parliament: ‘We are Jo Cox had been a leading figure far more united than The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, in several all-party groups – the the things that divide us’ agreed the murder was an attack on Conservative former International democracy and he quoted from Jo Development Secretary, Andrew Cox’s maiden speech when she told Mitchell, served with her, as co-chair of the Commons ‘We are far more united the Friends of Syria, making common and have far more in common with cause, as he put it, ‘with a crusty each other than things that divide us’. old Tory’. David Cameron said the House could The Labour MP, Stephen Kinnock, best honour her memory ‘by proving had shared an office with Jo Cox. that the democracy and freedoms that He spoke first of the unspeakable Jo stood for are indeed unbreakable, personal suffering her murder had by continuing to stand up for our brought on her family. He said Jo constituents and by uniting against Cox would have been outraged by the hatred that killed her, today and a poster unveiled on the morning of forever more’. her death by the UKIP leader, Nigel Tributes were paid from all sides, in a Farage, showing a queue of migrants short sitting, which was followed by ‘A poster on the streets of Britain that a memorial service at St Margaret’s, demonised hundreds of desperate the parish church of Parliament. The refugees… She would have responded Labour MP, Rachel Reeves urged with outrage and with a robust colleagues ‘to carry on Jo’s work and rejection of the calculated narrative guard against hatred, intolerance of cynicism, division and despair – and injustice and to serve others with because Jo understood that rhetoric dignity and love…. Batley and Spen will has its consequences. When insecurity, go on to elect a new MP, but no-one fear and anger are used to light a can replace a mother’. fuse, an explosion is inevitable’.

54 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION of Yorkshire. In the gallery, Mrs Cox’s husband Brendan sat with their two young children and members of The Lords reject the Government’s their family. Tax Credit changes MPs wore white roses and several women Labour members were dressed The Government lost more than of pounds a year, the Lords passed a in the suffragette colours of purple 50 votes in the House of Lords in the Labour motion calling on ministers to and green. Some MPs wept quietly first year of the 2015 Parliament – but postpone the cuts and provide extra as the Speaker, John Bercow, opened by far the most significant, both in support for those affected, for a three- proceedings ‘We meet today in heart- terms of the money involved and of year transitional period. The result was breaking sadness but also in heartfelt the constitutional aftershocks, was to throw the Chancellor’s financial solidarity… all of us who came to the Peers’ rejection of controversial strategy into chaos, because it removed know Jo during her all too short service plans to cut tax credits – the benefits £4.4bn of savings. in this House [she had been elected used to top-up the incomes of low- paid workers. George Osborne immediately warned in 2015] became swiftly aware of her that the vote raised constitutional outstanding qualities, she was caring, Peers are not supposed to meddle in issues and shortly afterwards the eloquent, principled and wise. financial matters but this measure was Government commissioned Lord not part of a finance bill. Instead it was Strathclyde, a former Leader of the ‘Jo was murdered in the course of her put forward in an order, or statutory House of Lords, to review the powers duties, serving constituents in need… instrument, issued under existing of the Upper House. An attack such as this strikes not only Jo Cox’s maiden speech legislation, which meant it was both at an individual but at our freedom.’ to Parliament: ‘We are un-amendable and subject to a one- The debate began with the Leader of Jo Cox had been a leading figure far more united than the House, Lady Stowell, defending The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, the things that divide us’ off vote. in several all-party groups – the the plans. She said spending on tax agreed the murder was an attack on Conservative former International Faced with claims that the order would credits had risen from £4bn to £30bn democracy and he quoted from Jo Development Secretary, Andrew cost the poorest families thousands and the bill was no longer sustainable, Cox’s maiden speech when she told Mitchell, served with her, as co-chair of the Commons ‘We are far more united The interior of the the Friends of Syria, making common House of Lords and have far more in common with cause, as he put it, ‘with a crusty each other than things that divide us’. old Tory’. David Cameron said the House could The Labour MP, Stephen Kinnock, best honour her memory ‘by proving had shared an office with Jo Cox. that the democracy and freedoms that He spoke first of the unspeakable Jo stood for are indeed unbreakable, personal suffering her murder had by continuing to stand up for our brought on her family. He said Jo constituents and by uniting against Cox would have been outraged by the hatred that killed her, today and a poster unveiled on the morning of forever more’. her death by the UKIP leader, Nigel Tributes were paid from all sides, in a Farage, showing a queue of migrants short sitting, which was followed by ‘A poster on the streets of Britain that a memorial service at St Margaret’s, demonised hundreds of desperate the parish church of Parliament. The refugees… She would have responded Labour MP, Rachel Reeves urged with outrage and with a robust colleagues ‘to carry on Jo’s work and rejection of the calculated narrative guard against hatred, intolerance of cynicism, division and despair – and injustice and to serve others with because Jo understood that rhetoric dignity and love…. Batley and Spen will has its consequences. When insecurity, go on to elect a new MP, but no-one fear and anger are used to light a can replace a mother’. fuse, an explosion is inevitable’.

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 55 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

warning that interference in a key budget measure would overstep the conventions which prevent the Lords from overriding the tax and spending decisions of the elected Commons.

‘In our manifesto, my Party made it clear that reducing the deficit would involve difficult decisions, including finding savings of £12bn from the welfare budget. The regulations that we debate today deliver no less than £4.4bn of those savings next year alone,’ she explained.

That argument was challenged by Lord Baroness Stowell argued that tax credits Campbell-Savours, a Labour peer and for minor changes to processes ‘will remain an important former MP. ‘When the Prime Minister and administration, being used to part of the welfare said at the last general election that system’ implement a substantial change an incoming Conservative government in policy that will affect millions of would not cut tax credits – child tax people’s livelihoods. That is not my credits – was he telling the truth or decision but I hope that we will do was he deliberately misleading the everything we can to stop it’. British people?’ Lady Stowell retorted that the Conservatives had been very The second amendment was from clear in their manifesto that they would the crossbencher, Lady Meacher, who aim to make welfare savings of £12bn wanted to delay the changes. ‘The and that working-age benefits would lowest income families, stand to lose be targeted. more than £20 a week. For one of us this can mean a meal in a restaurant. There were four amendments in For a poor working family it can mean front of Peers: the Liberal Democrat a pair of shoes for a child who comes Lady Manzoor had put down a home from school crying because their ‘fatal motion’ which would stop toes are hurting in shoes that are too the changes; the second and third small, or money to feed the meter to introduced delays. The fourth – from keep the family warm.’ the Bishop of Portsmouth – simply expressed regret at the policy. All but The Labour former Work and Pensions the last, Lady Stowell warned, would Minister, Lady Hollis, proposed the third challenge the primacy of the Commons amendment which would postpone the on financial matters. cuts for three years while transitional protection was brought in. She dismissed Lady Manzoor said 4.9 million children talk of constitutional crisis. ‘We can would be affected by the cuts to tax be supportive of the Government credits. ‘We have a duty in this House and give them what they did not ask to consider our constitutional role but for – financial privilege – or we can be Lord Lawson, former we also have a duty to consider those supportive instead of those three million Chancellor of the affected by the decisions we make and families facing letters at Christmas telling Exchequer the votes we cast.’ them that on average they will lose up to around £1,300 a year.’ She went on to say that it was wrong to enact such a major change via The Conservative former Chancellor, ‘a statutory instrument, a tool designed Lord Lawson, supported the changes

56 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION warning that interference in a key and insisted peers had no right to reject ‘It is perfectly possible to tweak it to budget measure would overstep the them but he wanted reform of the take more from the upper end of the conventions which prevent the Lords whole tax credits system because too tax credit scale and less from the lower from overriding the tax and spending much money went to well-off families. end,’ he said. decisions of the elected Commons.

‘In our manifesto, my Party made it clear that reducing the deficit would involve difficult decisions, including The Hillsborough inquest verdict finding savings of £12bn from the welfare budget. The regulations that When an inquest jury ruled that the Its revelations that witness statements we debate today deliver no less than 96 Liverpool football fans who died by police officers had been altered £4.4bn of those savings next year at Hillsborough on April 15th 1989 were so significant that it led to alone,’ she explained. had been unlawfully killed and that the new inquest and to two major mistakes by the police and ambulance criminal investigations. With 296 days That argument was challenged by Lord Baroness Stowell services had caused or contributed of hearings it had been the longest argued that tax credits Campbell-Savours, a Labour peer and for minor changes to processes ‘will remain an important to their deaths, the Home Secretary, inquest in British legal history. former MP. ‘When the Prime Minister and administration, being used to part of the welfare Theresa May, came to the Commons to said at the last general election that system’ Theresa May said that the findings implement a substantial change announce the Government’s response an incoming Conservative government ‘Overturns in the starkest way possible in policy that will affect millions of in an emotionally-charged statement to the verdict of accidental death returned would not cut tax credits – child tax people’s livelihoods. That is not my the House. at the original inquests. However, credits – was he telling the truth or decision but I hope that we will do The new inquest had been ordered the jury’s findings do not, of course, was he deliberately misleading the everything we can to stop it’. British people?’ Lady Stowell retorted following the devastating findings amount to a finding of criminal liability that the Conservatives had been very The second amendment was from of the Hillsborough Independent and no one should impute criminal clear in their manifesto that they would the crossbencher, Lady Meacher, who Panel, chaired by Bishop James Jones, liability to anyone while the ongoing aim to make welfare savings of £12bn wanted to delay the changes. ‘The which had re-examined the evidence. investigations are still pending’. and that working-age benefits would lowest income families, stand to lose The 96 remembered at Hillsborough be targeted. more than £20 a week. For one of us this can mean a meal in a restaurant. There were four amendments in For a poor working family it can mean front of Peers: the Liberal Democrat a pair of shoes for a child who comes Lady Manzoor had put down a home from school crying because their ‘fatal motion’ which would stop toes are hurting in shoes that are too the changes; the second and third small, or money to feed the meter to introduced delays. The fourth – from keep the family warm.’ the Bishop of Portsmouth – simply expressed regret at the policy. All but The Labour former Work and Pensions the last, Lady Stowell warned, would Minister, Lady Hollis, proposed the third challenge the primacy of the Commons amendment which would postpone the on financial matters. cuts for three years while transitional protection was brought in. She dismissed Lady Manzoor said 4.9 million children talk of constitutional crisis. ‘We can would be affected by the cuts to tax be supportive of the Government credits. ‘We have a duty in this House and give them what they did not ask to consider our constitutional role but for – financial privilege – or we can be Lord Lawson, former we also have a duty to consider those supportive instead of those three million Chancellor of the affected by the decisions we make and families facing letters at Christmas telling Exchequer the votes we cast.’ them that on average they will lose up to around £1,300 a year.’ She went on to say that it was wrong to enact such a major change via The Conservative former Chancellor, ‘a statutory instrument, a tool designed Lord Lawson, supported the changes

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 57 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

She praised the families and survivors, who had never accepted official accounts which laid the blame on Liverpool fans. ‘They have faced hostility, opposition and obfuscation and the authorities, which should have been trusted, have laid blame and tried to protect themselves instead of acting in the public interest.’ As some MPs wiped away tears, she added ‘No-one should have to suffer the loss of their loved ones through such appalling circumstances and no-one should have to fight year after year, decade after decade, in search of the truth’.

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham, said the inquest jury had delivered a ‘simple, clear, powerful and emphatic’ verdict. ‘But it begged the question: how could something so obvious have taken so long? There are three reasons: first, a police force that has consistently put protecting itself over and above protecting people Theresa May, speaking harmed by Hillsborough; secondly, as Home Secretary collusion between that force and a and the authorities in dealing with complicit print media; and thirdly, a inquests and legal proceedings. flawed judicial system that gives the upper hand to those in authority, over The former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, and above ordinary people.’ Steve Rotherham, – one of several MPs at Hillsborough that day – said the He said a similar inquiry was now Liverpool fans had always known they needed to clear up what had happened were not to blame. ‘It took political at Orgreave during the 1980s Miners’ intervention to force the judicial Strike and his final words, about the process of this country to take 27 years families of the 96, produced applause from MPs. ‘They have kept their to recognise what we knew from day dignity in the face of terrible adversity. one – that Hillsborough was not an They could not have shown a more accident… that drunken and ticketless profound love for those they lost on fans did not turn up late, hell-bent on that day. They truly represent the best getting in and that it was not caused of what our country is all about. Now by a drunken “tanked-up mob”.’ it must reflect on how it came to let The Liberal Democrat, Greg Mulholland, them down for so long.’ said the families of victims had been The Conservative, Bob Neill, who treated appallingly in the aftermath of chaired the Commons Justice Select the disaster. ‘We saw police officers Committee asked the Home Secretary sitting eating chicken and chips in the to look at creating a mechanism to gymnasium as the bodies were lying ensure ‘proper equality of arms,’ there, while families were told that they between the families of disaster victims could not hug their loved ones in body

58 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

She praised the families and survivors, bags because they were the property 10-year-old Jon-Paul Gilhooley – of this who had never accepted official of the coroner. Worst of all, the initial unlawful disaster. That was a disgrace, accounts which laid the blame on coroner forced alcohol testing on all and we want to know that it will never Liverpool fans. ‘They have faced these victims – including children such as happen to a single victim again.’ hostility, opposition and obfuscation and the authorities, which should have been trusted, have laid blame and tried to protect themselves instead of acting in the public interest.’ As some An unexpected Leader of the Opposition MPs wiped away tears, she added ‘No-one should have to suffer the ‘I have taken part in many events around loss of their loved ones through such the country and had conversations with appalling circumstances and no-one many people about what they thought should have to fight year after year, of this place, our Parliament, our decade after decade, in search of democracy and our conduct within this the truth’. place,’ he explained. ‘Many told me that they thought Prime Minister’s Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, QuestionTime was too theatrical… Andy Burnham, said the inquest jury and that they wanted things done had delivered a ‘simple, clear, powerful differently but above all they wanted and emphatic’ verdict. ‘But it begged their voice to be heard in Parliament.’ the question: how could something so obvious have taken so long? There are The result was something quite different, three reasons: first, a police force that dominated by bread-and-butter issues has consistently put protecting itself but with little of the familiar professional over and above protecting people political fencing – at least at first. The Theresa May, speaking Jeremy Corbyn took harmed by Hillsborough; secondly, as Home Secretary a different approach opening question was from a woman collusion between that force and a at his first PMQs, and the authorities in dealing with When the Speaker called on Jeremy called Marie who wanted to know what complicit print media; and thirdly, a tackling former PM Corbyn, as Leader of the Opposition, the Government intend to do about the inquests and legal proceedings. David Cameron with flawed judicial system that gives the crowdsourced questions at Prime Minister’s Question Time ‘chronic lack of affordable housing and upper hand to those in authority, over The former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, (PMQ), it was the first time in 30 years the extortionate rents charged by some and above ordinary people.’ Steve Rotherham, – one of several MPs in the Commons that the veteran left- private sector landlords’. at Hillsborough that day – said the winger had spoken at the Dispatch He said a similar inquiry was now David Cameron observed parliamentary Liverpool fans had always known they Box. Unlike the three rival candidates needed to clear up what had happened protocol and congratulated Mr Corbyn were not to blame. ‘It took political he had defeated so conclusively in at Orgreave during the 1980s Miners’ on his resounding leadership election intervention to force the judicial Labour’s leadership election, he had Strike and his final words, about the victory and he welcomed the idea process of this country to take 27 years never been a minister or shadow families of the 96, produced applause of a new style at PMQs. He agreed from MPs. ‘They have kept their to recognise what we knew from day minister still less sat in Cabinet or more affordable housing was needed dignity in the face of terrible adversity. one – that Hillsborough was not an Shadow Cabinet. but added that the record of the They could not have shown a more accident… that drunken and ticketless Governments he had led was better than He was facing a Conservative Leader profound love for those they lost on fans did not turn up late, hell-bent on that of the previous Labour Government. who had been one of the main players that day. They truly represent the best getting in and that it was not caused in PMQs for a decade and who had Mr Corbyn followed up with questions of what our country is all about. Now by a drunken “tanked-up mob”.’ coached previous Tory Leaders on from Steven, on social rents and from it must reflect on how it came to let The Liberal Democrat, Greg Mulholland, how to handle it for years before Paul and Claire, on cuts to tax credits them down for so long.’ said the families of victims had been that. Things were about to change, – a subject raised in a thousand of his The Conservative, Bob Neill, who treated appallingly in the aftermath of Labour’s new leader wanted a different emails – that he warned would cost chaired the Commons Justice Select the disaster. ‘We saw police officers kind of PMQs, led by the concerns families up to £1,300 per year and Committee asked the Home Secretary sitting eating chicken and chips in the of the public – and he received was ‘absolutely shameful,’ he said. to look at creating a mechanism to gymnasium as the bodies were lying 40,000 replies when he asked people The strategy was to continue; by his ensure ‘proper equality of arms,’ there, while families were told that they to email him with their questions for hundredth question, in March 2016, between the families of disaster victims could not hug their loved ones in body David Cameron. he had asked about health issues in

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 59 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

Responding to the Chilcot Report on the Iraq War

It had been a long time coming, and responded with a Commons statement the Parliamentarians in both Lords – he began by addressing the families and Commons had complained about of the 179 British servicemen and the time taken by Sir John Chilcot to women and 23 British civilians who produce his report on the decision died in the conflict. ‘In their grief to go to war in Iraq. When it did and anger, I hope they can draw at arrive, seven years after he started least some solace from the depth and work, his two million word verdict rigour of this report and, above all, provoked cross-party soul-searching some comfort from knowing that we and recrimination. will never forget the incredible service and sacrifice of their sons, daughters, Sir John concluded that the UK went husbands and wives.’ to war before the peace process Tony Blair, Prime was exhausted, that the intelligence He turned to the keystone of the Minister during the on which the decision was based argument for war in 2003. ‘Central invasion of Iraq was flawed and that the planning to the Government’s case was the for the aftermath was inadequate. issue of weapons of mass destruction. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, Sir John finds that there was an

60 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

25 of them, welfare in 24, housing in Gow and Sir Anthony Berry – MPs 16 and education in five; it was a far murdered by terrorists. He added ‘The less Westminster-centric approach. Opposition Leader has appointed a Shadow Chancellor who believes that Those first exchanges were courteous terrorists should be honoured for and careful as the two circled one their bravery. Will the Prime Minister another. It was left to the leaders of two join all of us, from all parts of this of the smaller parties in the Commons House, in denouncing that sentiment to insert a couple of barbs. The first and standing with us on behalf of the came from the SNP’s Westminster innocent victims and for the bravery of Leader, Angus Robertson, who said he our armed forces who stood against was looking forward to working with the terrorists? the new Labour Leader to oppose Tory Nigel Dodds, Deputy austerity and fight against renewal of That produced loud “Hear, hears’ Leader of the the Trident nuclear missile submarines and the Prime Minister replied that Democratic Unionist – a highly divisive issue among Labour Mr Dodds had spoken for the vast Party (DUP) MPs, most of whom do not share their majority of people in Britain. ‘My view leader’s unilateralist views. is simple, the terrorism we faced was wrong… The death and the killing Then, the Leader of the DUP at was wrong. It was never justified and Westminster, Nigel Dodds, raised people who seek to justify it should be Mr Corbyn’s key appointment to ashamed of themselves.’ Labour’s front bench team, his veteran left-wing ally, John McDonnell, That flash of steel was a harbinger of the as Shadow Chancellor. Mr Dodds Prime Minister’s increasingly dismissive pointed to the plaques by the treatment of the Labour Leader in later entrance to the Chamber in memory PMQs – culminating in his advice to UK troops in action in of Airey Neave, Robert Bradford, Ian Mr Corbyn to ‘put on a decent suit’. Iraq “ingrained belief” genuinely held in The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, both the UK and US Governments that who voted against military action Saddam Hussein possessed chemical in 2003, was heckled by some of Responding to the Chilcot Report and biological capabilities.’ The his MPs when he condemned the evidence for that belief, he found, was invasion. ‘Frankly, it was an act of on the Iraq War not properly examined. military aggression launched on a false pretext, as the inquiry accepts, Mr Cameron voted for military action It had been a long time coming, and responded with a Commons statement and has long been regarded as illegal as a Conservative backbencher, in the Parliamentarians in both Lords – he began by addressing the families by the overwhelming weight of 2003. He said lessons needed to be and Commons had complained about of the 179 British servicemen and international legal opinion. It led to learned – and the first was that ‘taking the time taken by Sir John Chilcot to women and 23 British civilians who the deaths of hundreds of thousands the country to war should always be produce his report on the decision died in the conflict. ‘In their grief of people and the displacement of a last resort and should only be done to go to war in Iraq. When it did and anger, I hope they can draw at millions of refugees… By any measure, if all credible alternatives have been arrive, seven years after he started least some solace from the depth and the invasion and occupation of Iraq exhausted’. He then added that the work, his two million word verdict rigour of this report and, above all, have been, for many, a catastrophe.’ provoked cross-party soul-searching some comfort from knowing that we British people should not, in future, and recrimination. will never forget the incredible service recoil from any military intervention. In what many took to be a veiled and sacrifice of their sons, daughters, ‘There are unquestionably times when reference to Tony Blair he added. Sir John concluded that the UK went husbands and wives.’ it is right to intervene, as this country ‘We now know that the House was to war before the peace process Tony Blair, Prime did successfully in Sierra Leone and misled in the run-up to the war and the was exhausted, that the intelligence He turned to the keystone of the Minister during the Kosovo… there have been times in House must now decide how to deal on which the decision was based argument for war in 2003. ‘Central invasion of Iraq the recent past when we should have with it 13 years later.’ was flawed and that the planning to the Government’s case was the intervened but did not, such as in for the aftermath was inadequate. issue of weapons of mass destruction. failing to prevent the genocides in The Chilcot inquiry published more The Prime Minister, David Cameron, Sir John finds that there was an Rwanda and Srebrenica.’ than 200 memos from Tony Blair to

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 61 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Parliament

President George Bush. The Leader That fact, and the fact that, as Sir John of the SNP at Westminster, Angus Chilcot says, Blair’s commitment made Robertson, pointed to one which it very difficult for the UK to withdraw he thought was particularly telling. support for military action, amount to ‘On 28 July 2002, Tony Blair wrote to a deception and a misleading of this President Bush saying I will be with House of Commons. It is not the only you, whatever.’ one. Sir John has been very careful about avoiding accusing the former His point about the real reason for Prime Minister of lying to the House the invasion was picked up by the but a lot of the evidence suggests that senior Conservative, David Davis. ‘The he did. What action can this House aim was regime change, not WMDs. take to deal with that?’

David Cameron and the Panama Papers

The publication of the Panama Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, published his Papers, a massive cache of documents tax return. The Prime Minister made detailing the tax-avoidance activities of a statement to the Commons, as thousands of people across the world, soon as the House returned from its became a personal crisis for the Prime Easter break. Minister, David Cameron, when his late He was not suggesting all MPs would father’s name cropped up. have to publish the same information, The leak was from the world’s fourth arguing that since the Prime Minister, biggest offshore law firm, Mossack the Chancellor and their Labour Fonseca, and documented the activities opposite numbers were, or wanted of more than 200,000 companies to be, responsible for the nation’s holding property and bank accounts finances, they were a special case. in offshore tax havens like the British He accepted criticism of the way he’d Virgin Islands. No-one suggested that handled questions about his finances the Prime Minister’s father had done but told MPs he’d been angry about anything illegal; Ian Cameron had run the way his father’s memory was an offshore fund through Mossack being traduced ‘I want to put the Fonseca that avoided British taxes for record straight. This investment fund thirty years. was set up overseas in the first place because it was going to be trading Faced with rising anger about the predominantly in dollar securities extent to which rich people could so, like very many other commercial avoid taxes, David Cameron released investment funds, it made sense to be a summary of his tax returns for the set up inside one of the main centres previous six years, plus details about of dollar trading.’ money inherited and given to him by his family, his salary, the support He added that pension funds, along received as Leader of the Conservative with other institutions, invested in Party, the income from the renting offshore funds and that, from now on, out of his home and the interest on most British overseas territories which his savings. The Chancellor, George are tax havens will share information Osborne, followed suit and the Labour with the UK authorities.

62 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT SECONDARY EDUCATION EDITION

President George Bush. The Leader That fact, and the fact that, as Sir John action to close loopholes in the law of the SNP at Westminster, Angus Chilcot says, Blair’s commitment made and tax simplification to ensure there Robertson, pointed to one which it very difficult for the UK to withdraw were are fewer of them. he thought was particularly telling. support for military action, amount to Meg Hillier, the Labour ex-minister who ‘On 28 July 2002, Tony Blair wrote to a deception and a misleading of this chairs the powerful Public Accounts President Bush saying I will be with House of Commons. It is not the only Committee (PAC), said the publication you, whatever.’ one. Sir John has been very careful about avoiding accusing the former of the Panama Papers ‘shone sunlight His point about the real reason for Prime Minister of lying to the House on areas where some people did not the invasion was picked up by the but a lot of the evidence suggests that want it to go and she called for more senior Conservative, David Davis. ‘The he did. What action can this House corporate tax transparency. That theme aim was regime change, not WMDs. take to deal with that?’ was picked up by her predecessor at the PAC, Margaret Hodge, who had led a high profile inquiry into tax avoidance by multi-nationals. She wanted assurance that HMRC would have access to the register David Cameron and the Panama Papers of companies operating in British Crown dependencies. Labour MP Dennis The publication of the Panama Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, published his Skinner was thrown A Conservative former minister, Sir Alan Papers, a massive cache of documents tax return. The Prime Minister made out of Parliament for Jeremy Corbyn said the Panama labelling the Prime Duncan, accused the Prime Minister’s detailing the tax-avoidance activities of a statement to the Commons, as Papers had ‘driven home what many Minister over his critics of hating ‘anyone who has even thousands of people across the world, soon as the House returned from its personal finances. people have increasingly felt: that a hint of wealth in their life… we risk became a personal crisis for the Prime Easter break. there is now one rule for the super- seeing a House of Commons that Minister, David Cameron, when his late rich and another for the rest. I am He was not suggesting all MPs would is stuffed full of low achievers who father’s name cropped up. honestly not sure that the Prime have to publish the same information, hate enterprise and hate people who Minister fully appreciates the anger arguing that since the Prime Minister, look after their own family and who The leak was from the world’s fourth that is out there over this injustice... the Chancellor and their Labour know absolutely nothing about the biggest offshore law firm, Mossack with families lining up at food banks opposite numbers were, or wanted outside world’. The Prime Minister may Fonseca, and documented the activities to feed their children, disabled people to be, responsible for the nation’s not have found that entirely helpful, of more than 200,000 companies losing their benefits, elderly care cut finances, they were a special case. saying ‘I do not want us to discourage holding property and bank accounts and slashed and living standards going in offshore tax havens like the British people who have had a successful He accepted criticism of the way he’d down. Much of that could have been Virgin Islands. No-one suggested that career in business or anything else from handled questions about his finances avoided if our country had not been the Prime Minister’s father had done coming into this House and making but told MPs he’d been angry about ripped off by the super-rich refusing a contribution’. anything illegal; Ian Cameron had run the way his father’s memory was to pay their taxes’. an offshore fund through Mossack being traduced ‘I want to put the The leader of the SNP at Westminster, Labour veteran, Dennis Skinner, said Fonseca that avoided British taxes for record straight. This investment fund Angus Robertson, also complained that the Prime Minister had failed to answer thirty years. was set up overseas in the first place the rules for normal taxpayers were questions about a taxpayer-subsidised because it was going to be trading Faced with rising anger about the different from those ‘for a small ultra- mortgage and to Conservative fury he predominantly in dollar securities extent to which rich people could rich elite’ but he focused on the UK’s added ‘Maybe Dodgy Dave will answer so, like very many other commercial avoid taxes, David Cameron released ‘particular responsibility’ for dealing it now’. The Speaker immediately investment funds, it made sense to be a summary of his tax returns for the with tax avoidance in its overseas stepped in to ask him to withdraw set up inside one of the main centres previous six years, plus details about territories and dependencies. the word ‘Dodgy’ but Mr Skinner was of dollar trading.’ money inherited and given to him unrepentant ‘This man has done more Andrew Tyrie, the influential to divide this nation than anybody by his family, his salary, the support He added that pension funds, along received as Leader of the Conservative with other institutions, invested in Conservative Chair of the Treasury else and he has looked after his own Party, the income from the renting offshore funds and that, from now on, Select Committee said there was ‘no pocket. I still refer to him as Dodgy out of his home and the interest on most British overseas territories which point in moralising’ about legal tax Dave’. Moments later he was ordered his savings. The Chancellor, George are tax havens will share information avoidance – what was needed was from the Chamber. Osborne, followed suit and the Labour with the UK authorities.

Westminster Publications is grateful to Mark D’Arcy and Sean Coughlan for their contributions to this publication.

COPYRIGHT © WESTMINSTER PUBLICATIONS 2016 All rights reserved by Westminster Publications. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Westminster Publications. Westminster Publications warrants that reasonable skill and care has been used in preparing this publication. Notwithstanding this warranty Westminster Publications shall not be under liability for any loss of profit, business, revenues or any special indirect or consequential damage of any nature whatsoever or loss of anticipated saving or for any increased costs sustained by the client or his or her servants or agents arising in any way whether directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on this publication or of any error or defect in this publication. Westminster Publications shall not in any circumstances be under any liability whatsoever to any other person for any loss or damage arising in any way as a result of reliance on this publication.