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GENERAL ELECTION 2015 EDUCATION,EDUCATION, EDUCATION

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GENERAL ELECTION 2015

to a head with what many are predicting policies relating to education and skills. with large structural shake-ups proposed will be one of the closest elections in living These are presented in the order in which by many of the parties, schools and FE ED MILIBAND memory. the manifestos were launched. policy and decision-making could become LABOUR I have spent the last few months We also looked at the Green Party and even more intertwined after May 7, and we following the party leaders to manifesto Ukip’s offerings on education and skills, should all be ready. There’s nothing Ed Miliband likes more launches, party conferences, school visits and our pages on those parties can be than a good old Q&A at a school or college. and press conferences. found further back in this supplement. Such is the level of his interest in these The resulting 20-page supplement in It is often said that in modern politics, events that they have become a bit of a front of you offers an in-depth look at the you can’t tell the difference between the running theme in this general election freddie whittaker policies pitched by the five main parties main parties. But as far as education and campaign. Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and Scottish Labour [email protected] contesting seats in England, along with skills policy goes, that could not be more Mr Miliband kicked off his tour of the leader Jim Murphy meet with apprentice tradesmen ducation and skills are undeniably in-depth reaction from unions, sector wrong. nation’s schools several months ago, during a visit to the Queenslie Training Centre, Glasgow two key battlegrounds in this General organisations and, as usual, enlightening That is why we felt it was important when his education vision was IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EElection. analysis from a host of experts from both to present information and analysis on outlined in the hall of his old and Cleveland College, in North Promises and pledges about schools and the schools and FE & skills sectors. the manifestos of all five parties in one Haverstock School, in Camden, Yorkshire. FE policy have been raining down from For each of the three main parties, we supplement for the readerships of both London. Pensby High School in Wirral has the highest party political echelons since have four pages of content, including news, Schools Week and FE Week. He went on to meet learners also played host to the Labour leader, well before the short campaign started, exclusive comments from party leaders And if that wasn’t a good enough reason and answer more questions who went on to meet apprentices at and in less than a fortnight it will all come and senior figures and the full list of their for this first collaborative supplement, at Nelson and Colne College, Queenslie Training Centre, Glasgow. Labour party leader Ed Miliband holds a People’s Question Time at Pensby High School in Wirral while on the General Election campaign trail in Lancashire, followed soon Advertorial numbers, however, very few, if any, are carried system. Qualifications are measuring afterwards by a visit to Redcar through to full implementation. Most are tools; they assess learners at the end of a charlotte forgotten and then when the issue arises again course about the skills and knowledge they a new strategy or policy is created. have gained while undertaking that course. Prime Minister David Cameron meets apprentice Cory Hurst (right) during a visit to Camira Fabrics in DAVID CAMERON Huddersfield, where they make textiles for trains and buses In the foreword to the Skills Manifesto we If we believe that there are elements of our CONSERVATIVES bosworth sponsored with FE Week in the autumn, we education system that are not delivering, then director of skills and employment at ocr called for a comprehensive review of the whole changing the content of those courses must education and skills system. A holistic review change those outcomes? Unfortunately, it is David Cameron is also clocking up his that analyses the whole system from primary not that simple. We must also look at teaching fair share of school visits as he tries to education all through to further and higher capacity, resources, funding, training, etc. To convince the country his plan is worth education, to encompass adult education and truly effect change, we cannot just change the sticking with. programmes associated with getting people content of the test that learners sit at the end of Earlier in the campaign, Mr Cameron A VIEW FROM OCR back into work that come under the purview the course. We must also consider the different went to Upton Heath County Primary Prime Minister David Cameron meets pupils during a visit to Sandymoor School in Sandymoor, Cheshire ‘Education, education, education’, a political enter the workplace, if they do so at 18, in 2023. of the DWP rather than the DfE or BIS. It must purposes of education in its broadest sense. School, in Chester, in person to announce rallying cry from a previous election. It’s not Given that the lifespan of a government is look at teaching styles, learning styles, effective We hope this supplement helps you make new redevelopment funding. news that education is a policy that all parties like now fixed to 5 years and the average length of use of technology and how pathways through sense of all the different promises being made At a subsequent visit to Green and Abingdon candidate Nicola to tinker with. On the face of it, the education reformed qualifications is somewhere around education and training can be flexible and by each political party in the education and School for Girls, in West London, Blackwood in early April, attended brief is one in which change can be made and the 5 or 6 year mark, this cohort may take a enable transition. It’s a giant ask, but central to skills arena. It may or may not sway your Mr Cameron joined Education by the PM. demonstrated quickly to the electorate. The series of qualifications at 16 and 18 that do not all this ask is that there should be consensus vote, but remember, in this election more Secretary Nicky Morgan to Those who at this point still need biggest problem with this is it always takes much yet exist. How then do we measure the impact across political parties to create a long term than any other these manifesto pledges are announce plans for 500 new free any convincing that education and longer than politicians expect to have an impact. of the national curriculum reform and how do solution rather than short term tinkering. likely to be the opening gambit of a coalition schools. skills are key battleground issues And impact is a difficult thing to measure. we measure the impact of the current round of If we are to have an education system that brokering deal, so the actual policies that we And Abingdon and Witney for the Conservatives need look no The current cohort of Year 5 children in general and vocational qualification reform? can respond to the changing world, then we get in the next five years are still up for debate College was chosen as the further than the party’s manifesto primary schools in England is experiencing The unfortunate answer is that too often we cannot have an education system that has to and hopefully be an opportunity to create a location for a rally for Oxford West launch, held at UTC Swindon. the implementation of the new National don’t. In responding to the current round of respond to qualification related reform every consensus to go forward. Curriculum. Those children will progress on general qualifications reform, we have looked five years. to secondary school and then on to further back at the policies attributed to languages It is easy to understand why there is always a NICK CLEGG and higher education and eventually into the qualifications. There we see a trail of good leap towards qualification reform when policy LIBERAL DEMOCRATS workplace. This cohort of Year 5 children will intentions, policies and strategies in great makers want to effect change in the education

Front cover: Press Association Images Nick Clegg also seems intent on TEAMS completing a tour of every single school in the country as he tries to garner support Schools Week editor: Laura McInerney FE Week editor: Chris Henwood Contributors: for Liberal Democrat candidates in Head designer: Nicky Phillips FE Week reporters: Paul Offord Natasha Porter marginal seats. Designer: Rob Galt Freddie Whittaker Mick Fletcher Early last month, the Deputy Prime Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Business Sub editors: Jill Craven Rebecca Cooney Sarah Jones Minister made and ate Cornish pasties with Secretary Vince Cable (left) take part in a pottery Jeremy Sutcliffe Photographer: Ellis O’Brien Alastair Thomson youngsters at St Merryn School, in class at Richmond Adult Community college in London Schools Week reporters: Sophie Scott Financials: Helen Neilly Russell Hobby North Cornwall. Ann McGauran Victoria Boyle Claudia Hupkau Later in the campaign, Mr Weston Park Primary School, in John Dickens Sales manager: Hannah Smith Managing director: Shane Mann Clegg took questions from pupils Hornsey, and Boutcher C of E Bill Camden Sales executive: Jasmin Fergus-Aghamiri If you are interested in placing a product or job at Cradle Hill Primary School, in Primary School, in Southwark. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg meets reception class pupils making Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell advert contact Lewes. The Lib Dem leader also took hand print artworks during a General Election campaign visit to Boutcher E: [email protected] Schools and colleges in London a pottery class with business C of E Primary School, in Southwark, London T: 020 8123 4778 have also had their fair share of secretary Vince Cable at Richmond visits from Mr Clegg, including Community College. Front cover: Press Association Images Above: Press Association Images

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Face-to-face guidance the headline act What the manifesto says

niversal face-to-face careers advice Early years people, and towards a system for secondary school pupils was the • Protect spending on the early where apprenticeships are U headline act as Labour revealed its years in real terms focused on new job entrants, education manifesto this month. • Restore the role of Sure lasting at least two years, As well as hammering home its Start as family hubs in and providing level three commitment to its flagship policy of the community, with qualifications or above requiring all teachers to be qualified, the an obligation to provide • Deliver a new gold-standard party allowed its shiny new careers policy the cards. childcare and a focus on early Technical Baccalaureate for to shine when secretary Tristram Hunt Mr Umunna said: “All young people intervention 16 to 18-year-olds took to the stage at Microsoft’s offices in should have the opportunity to succeed and • Extend free childcare from • Ensure all young people study Victoria to launch the document itself. progress to a skilled, secure career. 15 to 25 hours for working English and maths to 18. A big issue which affects schools and “But under the Tories pathways to the parents of three and four year • Raise standards in FE, with skills policy in equal measure, Labour workplace have been taken away and too olds, paid for by an increase in new Institutes of Technical

knew careers advice was an easy win for many have been left without the support the bank levy Education Danny Lawson/PA Wire/Press Association Images Association Wire/Press Lawson/PA Danny them in a battle to win friends in a sector they need, stuck in low-paid, insecure • Give parents a legal guarantee • Guarantee all young people which is notoriously hard to please. Under work. And — as the CBI has highlighted of access to childcare from aged 11+ face-to-face careers the terms of the policy, £50m from higher —for Britain’s future prosperity employers 8am to 6pm through their advice with a £50m divert education access and participation need a pipeline of skilled employees local primary school from the higher education funding will be used to pay at least ready for the world of work. access and participation 1,000 careers advisers to work “That’s why Labour will Standards budget with clusters of schools. ensure all young people can Only a Labour • Protect schools spending • Give every young person Mr Hunt said: “Britain access face-to-face careers in real terms, to drive up that gets the grades has succeeds when all of our young advice, with schools working government will standards the right to a high quality people are supported to reach in partnership with businesses, • Tackle areas of apprenticeship their potential. Too many young colleges and universities.” underachievement, with new • Introduce new Technical people are having opportunities closed The launch was also an opportunity give our children directors of school standards Degrees delivered by off to them — whether that be accessing for the party to go over old ground, to support local schools to universities and employers our leading universities or high quality something which proved less popular in and young people, improve and respond to the • Equipping young people for apprenticeships. the education sector, with doubts already concerns of parents the future “David Cameron has failed young people. in practitioners’ minds whether initiatives • Deliver smaller class sizes • Ensure all schools deliver Labour has a better plan, one that will like technical degrees, master teachers and the future they for five, six and seven-year- age-appropriate sex and unleash the potential of all young people. institutes of technical education will really olds, paid for by ending relationships education “So if you are a young person, whether bring about the reform Labour hopes to deserve the wasteful Free Schools • Update and strengthen the you want to pursue gold standard see. programme Citizenship curriculum vocational education or a high class Plans to extend free childcare from 15 to • Require private schools to • Introduce compulsory work academic pathway into work, Labour will 25 hours for working parents of three and partner with state schools, experience for 14 to 16-year- make sure that you have the face-to-face four-year-olds, paid for by an increase in Ed Miliband as a condition of receiving olds guidance early on, so that doors are not the bank levy, were widely welcomed. Business Rates Relief • Give kinship carers access to closed off to you. Only Labour will give But anyone hoping the absence of support and give vulnerable this support to all young people that is Labour’s plan to scrap apprenticeships Teaching children in kinship care currently the preserve of only a privileged below level three from the education Vote for us —­ Ed Miliband writes for • Ensure all teachers become priority in school admissions few.” manifesto document was a sign the party qualified • Give teachers better training The appearance of Mr Hunt’s shadow was softening its line will have been left FE Week and Schools Week • Raise standards through new in mental health awareness cabinet colleague Chuka Umunna, the disappointed after Mr Umunna confirmed Master Teachers, expert in Shadow Business Secretary, alongside the party was still committed to its plan. For Britain to succeed in children and the rest is growing for the Our aim is that the best teachers have a their subject him at the launch will have done nothing Labour has previously pledged to have the 21st century, we need first time since records began. promise of career progress that doesn’t • Require all teachers to build to quash rumours that a Department for as many people starting apprenticeships as an education system that We won’t for the sake of it reform necessarily take them away from the their skills throughout their Education and Department for Business, starting university by 2025. delivers for all our children everything this government has done. frontline with children. careers, as a condition of Innovation and Skills merger could be on and young people. We’re aware of the strains that change With our young people facing remaining in the classroom Only Labour will protect the entire puts on teachers. increasing global competition in the • Improve school discipline by education budget, from the early years But we will put an end to the free work place, our goal is to transform ensuring teachers are trained to age 19, ensuring that it rises in line schools programme. Ministers have vocational education. We need to do to control a class with inflation, every year. Only Labour spent at least £241m of government much more to support the 50 per cent of • Support and improve school will raise the standard and status of money on free schools in areas that young people not taking the traditional leadership with a new vocational education and skills. Only already have enough school places academic route to university. Leadership Institute and Labour will cap class sizes for five, six while other areas are in desperate need, We will introduce a new gold- gold standard head teacher and seven-year-olds at 30 pupils. and overall the performance of the free standard technical baccalaureate for qualifications and training The education system needs a Labour schools has been poor. 16 to 18- year-olds, and new institutes government. The number of unqualified We will put teaching standards first in of technical education to give Skills teachers has risen by 16 per cent in the every classroom, requiring teachers to vocational training more equal status • Re-focus existing spending last year, teaching 400,000 children. continue building their skills and subject with academic studies. High quality Improving education is at the heart of away from low-level There are still 1.6 million children in knowledge on the job, with more high apprenticeships and new technical what Labour is all about. Only a Labour apprenticeships for older under-performing schools, and the quality training and new career paths, degrees will act as the pinnacle of this government will give all our children and attainment gap between disadvantaged including a new master teacher status. new vocational route. young people the future they deserve.”

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Mixed reception for Labour’s schools plans EXPERT abour can usually rely on most unions to be fairly “Labour’s plans to provide attainment. I therefore welcome Careers guidance pledge gets friendly, but a lukewarm response awaited the party independent face-to-face the commitment to restoring mick fletcher L on the day it launched its education manifesto. careers, advice and guidance to the Sure Start programme which thumbs up from skills leaders a founder member of the Policy Consortium, a Although several groups, the National Association of all students studying at school fell victim to this coalition’s director of RCU Ltd, a visiting research fellow at the Schoolmasters and Association of Women Teachers or college are much-needed. unnecessary and savage cuts.” Institute of Education, University of London and a (NASUWT) among them, praised the party for its pledges, The current system simply is not Ms Keates welcomed the regular contributor to the FE Week expert section others, including the Association of Teachers and Lecturers working. With demand for school manifesto’s emphasis on high- abour’s offer of face-to-face careers youth unemployment but as a programme (ATL) were less positive. places increasing, it is right to quality vocational provision and advice for learners aged 11-plus for improving the skills of those in ‘Difficult issues’ remain over Adrian Prandle, ATL director of economic strategy halt the coalition’s free school condemned existing government L has certainly piqued the interest of employment.” and negotiations, said the party had identified some key experiment which has pulled policy as “narrow”, “elitist” and several FE sector leaders. David Hughes, chief executive of the problems affecting children and teachers resulting from scarce resources away from places “academically-focused”. Association of Colleges chief executive National Institute of Adult Continuing Labours apprenticeship policies current education and economic policy, but said the of need.” She added: “The emphasis Martin Doel was among the first sector Education (Niace), also responded manifesto failed to address some major issues. Chris Keates, general on ensuring that there is high- representatives to come out in favour of positively to several of the party’s pledges. t is not only the result of the universities, redirecting higher education He said: “Parents will be disappointed that Labour has secretary of the NASUWT, said quality vocational provision would the proposal after it was announced by Ed He said: “The Labour Party manifesto forthcoming election that is difficult to provision. Unlike the Tories, Labour is not outlined any policy for the 1.5 million children and Labour’s education manifesto mark an end to the restrictions Miliband at a central London launch event. takes a long-term view of the investment Iread; the consequences of voting one not proposing to remove the cap on higher young people with special educational needs. demonstrated a “clear recognition” of the coalition’s narrow, elitist, Mr Doel said: “Careers guidance and needed to build a stronger and fairer way or the other are also rather opaque. education recruitment which gives it “For this 18 per cent of the school-age children Labour by the party that a publicly-funded academically focused curriculum advice is currently failing young people economy. This is in part because the major parties the opportunity to steer where higher appears not to have ‘A Better Plan For Education’. Teachers education system “should secure that is stifling the talents and skills in this country and we’re pleased that the “I’m pleased to see things like their are being coy about some very big issues: education expansion takes place. This will be dismayed that Labour does not properly say how the educational entitlements of of so many of our young people. Labour Party is looking to rectify this. commitment to reduce the proportion of the Tories won’t tell us what they will cut is in sharp contrast to coalition policy it will change inspection to prevent it from causing high all children and young people, All young people should have an “We need a system that supports young citizens unable to use the internet and the whereas Labour won’t tell us when. It is set out in the ‘dual mandate’ that sees volumes of unnecessary paperwork that distracts from the regardless of where they live or go entitlement to choose to pursue people to make informed choices and strong focus on the five million people also the case that both are concentrating higher vocational education developed classroom and limits innovative teaching and learning.” to school or college”. their aspirations, either through guaranteed careers advice from trained on low pay by forming new partnerships on the big picture and leaving some very in colleges, presumably at the expense of Mr Prandle (pictured) said the “big vision” needed She added: “The NASUWT welcomes Labour’s an academic or vocational pathway. advisers would help provide this. between employers and employees to awkward detail to later. other FE provision. for education was a transformation from “competition continuing commitment to securing the entitlement of “A clear and coherent national framework for the “Labour’s proposal is similar to that improve business performance and job Apprenticeship policy is a good case A further difficulty in interpreting to collaboration”, adding: “Labour’s pledge to protect all children and young people to be taught by a qualified provision of independent, high-quality careers guidance which we proposed in our manifesto quality.” in point. The Conservatives and Lib Labour policy is that it is more concerned education funding in real terms is a vitally important first teacher. has the potential to end the current ad-hoc, unequal which is to establish a partnership “Niace has been campaigning on both of Dems have focussed on the numbers of to appear ‘responsible’ in relation to step for children and young people but they should not “All evidence shows that investment in the early years provision and bring a consistency of approach for the between universities, schools, colleges and these in recent months.” apprenticeships they will create; Labour, public spending than generous. It has underestimate the complexities of this responsibility. of a child’s life make a huge difference to educational benefit of all.” employers. Mr Hughes said that “inevitably”, there in sharp contrast has focussed on what therefore made very little of the fact that “In addition, however, there should be was more of a focus on young people and sort. Under Labour the apprenticeship in calculating ‘the deficit’, which it has EXPERT systematic careers education built into the less for those in work, but added that the brand will be restricted to provision at pledged to reduce year-on-year, it will cent of the labour force. The 2,985 infant the vexed issue of commissioning curriculum, teaching children and young manifesto, if implemented, would begin to level three and above with a minimum exclude expenditure that can be counted NATASHA class sizes of more than 30 pupils will need new schools, considering “innovative people about different types of businesses, “re-design the 18-to-24 phase”. duration of two years. This leaves some as investment rather than consumption. to disappear, but only after 12 months of bids from established providers, good how gender stereotyping affects career He added: “Once again the devolution difficult issues, not least what to do about This difference in definition could mean excess size, and all primary schools will local authorities, parents, teachers and decisions and qualities needed by theme is strong but I would like to see more the large number of apprenticeships at that Labour would spend as much as PORTER need to consider how their pupils can entrepreneurs”. The phrase ‘parent-led employers.” emphasis on how lifelong learning has a level two, particularly in hairdressing £30bn more on public services than a Deputy head of the education unit at access childcare between 8am and 6pm, academies’, Labour’s version of free Association of Employment and crucial role to play in mental health and the and construction, opportunities that right wing coalition over the life of a Policy Exchange and a former senior leader at but not necessarily on their premises, and schools, did not make the final cut, and this Learning Providers chief executive Stewart joining up of, aged care and health.” should not lightly be cast aside. parliament. King Solomon Academy, West London with no mandatory take up. is in line with a considerable toughening of Segal welcomed Labour’s commitment to Sixth Form Colleges Association deputy To focus on these operational Similarly not much has been made of Possibly the biggest changes and the rhetoric around free schools in recent ‘gold standard vocational learning’, and chief executive James Kewin said: “The difficulties however is to miss the point. the fact that Labour, like the Lib Dems demands on schools will be in the months; but again the policy remains as said he was pleased the party had decided manifesto pledge to protect the 16-to-19 Labour will clearly find some way to but unlike the Tories, will ring fence Miliband steers careful course curriculum, where AS-levels will be it always has (new schools will be allowed, to focus resources around the National budget in real terms is extremely welcome. keep this provision for individuals and expenditure on 16-to-18 education, as reintroduced, sex and relationships just not in areas of surplus places). Careers Service to improve the quality of “Without this, many sixth form organisations that need it, most probably well as on earlier stages of schooling. here are three things worth is an authentically Ed Miliband Labour education and citizenship will be In general, Labour have left themselves careers guidance in schools. colleges would only be able to provide an by calling it something else. The big point Labour will take inflation into account considering in Labour’s education education offering; helping the next revamped, and all students aged between more space to borrow for investment But he said he took issue with the impoverished educational experience to is that apprenticeships are positioned (though not changes in pupil numbers) Toffer: what will it mean for schools, generation of a Britain “which only 16 and 18 will continue studying both purposes, which could mean an increase manifesto’s statement that ‘two-thirds students. It is important to get the detail as a route to higher level skills, not as a which works to the advantage of the what will it mean for the education system succeeds when working people succeed.” English and maths (most probably through in schools capital spending. There is a of apprenticeships are of a standard that right (eg agreeing the level that protection solution to youth unemployment. post-16 sector where student numbers more generally, and what isn’t included. But what would this offer mean for the standalone core maths qualification brief reference only to Ofsted, with a would not be recognised in our competitor will be pegged at and the implications of Labour policy takes a similar approach are generally static or falling. The The last of these is perhaps the most schools? Well, looking beneath the and a new English equivalent) commitment to greater peer review. countries due to the re-badging of low level employer pension and national insurance to the role of FE colleges. Their principal post-16 sector will welcome the Labour interesting. The overall focus of the offer is rhetoric, actually quite little different Teachers will “be expected to update their The manifesto launch from Labour workplace training’. increases) but there is at least an role is seen as delivering a high quality proposal to reintroduce face-to-face very technocratic. to now. The commitment on school knowledge and skills regularly” and will demonstrates the relatively narrow terrain He said: “We share the view of the acceptance that the sector cannot vocational route to employment or careers guidance for pupils from the age The more traditional territory of the Blair budgets is very similar to Tory plans by benefit from new ‘master teacher’ status, on which all three main parties now CBI, Unionlearn and the Commons sustain a further round of cuts. higher education, organised as a ‘Tech of 11 even though it is unclear where the government — raising school standards the time it reached classrooms. There is sitting alongside the development of the congregate. There is considerably less clear education committee that high “The proposal for directors Bacc’. Those offering such programmes resources will come from. across the broad five-to-18 phase — doesn’t ostensibly generous protection for the College of Teaching. red water here than in health, for example. quality level two apprenticeships of school standards has the at acceptable levels of quality will be Finally, Labour seems committed get a look in until the fourth paragraph, more bedraggled early years and 16-to-19 At a system level, Labour are committed But this should by no means be taken as should remain part of the potential to ensure there is rebranded as ‘institutes of technical to devolution of skills policy but is not and there is little mention outside the early sectors, but within the overall financial to the introduction of a middle-tier a criticism. The bulk of challenges that programme because they offer a effective competition and education’. The emphasis on ‘rigour’ clear on whether it favours a sectoral or years section of the focus of the Brown envelope it is difficult to see any real system of oversight for all schools via new schools will face over the next parliament ladder of opportunity to further greater collaboration between is underlined by the proposal that all geographical solution. This may be a government on schools’ involvement in investment in those sectors that doesn’t directors of school standards (DSS), who relate to managing spending reductions, progression. providers. And the plan to young people should study English and real dilemma for the party which likes the wider children’s services agenda. mean a consequent reduction in five-to-16 would assume responsibility for all schools, recruiting and retaining teachers as “It is also important that a reverse the decoupling of AS and maths to 18, challenging both in terms of the social partnership model embodied Similarly, there are no crumbs of funding. ending the current division between the economy grows, and handling the new government A-levels is good news the motivation of young people and the by UKCES (UK Commission on comfort for those on the left of the party, There would be a requirement on academies and local authority schools. implementation of curriculum and regards for students — capacity of the system to deliver. Employment and Skills) but is also keen who hoped to see a move away from the 17,000 teachers without qualified All remaining maintained schools will be assessment changes. This should continue apprenticeships particularly Progression from the Tech Bacc will to return powers to local authorities. It academies, or a route to return schools teacher status (QTS) to begin work on this offered “academy freedoms”. to be their focus regardless of who wins not simply as a less confident often be to new ‘technical degrees’ which may be on this issue that we just have to to local authority control. In short, this qualification, but this affects just 3.8 per The new DSSs will also take over on May 7. tool for solving learners.” under Labour will be developed by wait and see.

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Structural changes remain on the agenda What the manifesto says

hether it was a promise to open university technical School standards baseline for future funding. W colleges (UTCs)“within reach” • Requiring every 11-year- of every English city or a pledge to force old to know times tables by Teaching coasting schools to become academies, the heart, perform long division • Expect every teacher to be Conservatives proved with the launch of and multiplication, read a trained in serious behaviour their manifesto that their commitment to book and write a short story and stopping low-level structural change across the education can tell you today, we are going further. A Our task is to give • If children do not meet disruption sector is very much alive. lot further.” Level four in their ‘exams’ at • Reduce time spent on In their manifesto, the Tories have The additional 15 hours of free childcare the end of primary school, paperwork pledged to continue with the structural will be available only for working the reforms time they must resit at secondary • Introduce bursaries for the reform for which they have become famous parents in both single and double parent school most ‘in-demand’ subject since 2010. Five hundred new free schools, households where both parents are to bed in and to • Require all pupils to take • Pay good teachers more failing secondary schools becoming working. GCSEs in the ‘English • Reduce the ‘burden’ of Ofsted Peter Macdiarmid/AP/Press Association Images Association Macdiarmid/AP/Press Peter academies, UTCs and national colleges are Parents will be considered to be working Baccalaureate’ subjects – inspections all familiar territory. if they earn the equivalent of working spread excellence English, maths, science, a • Encourage the growth of But in his speech to launch the party’s eight hours a week on the minimum wage, modern foreign language, Teach First manifesto at UTC Swindon, Prime Minister currently £32.50. It is expected to apply to everywhere and history or geography. • Increase the number of David Cameron focused on one of his 630,000 children, on top of the 1.3 million • Limit Ofsted teachers able to teach party’s three big announcements — a already claiming the universal free 15 ratings for Mandarin commitment to double the amount of free hours of childcare. schools that • Support an independent childcare available to working parents. The £350m cost of the policy, which will ‘refuse’ to offer College of Teaching Mr Cameron said: “A good life should be brought in in 2017 if the Tories form a all Baccalaureate mean that raising your family feels like government, will be met by curbing pension subjects. They will Maths and science an incredible and joyful and — yes — relief for higher earners, which is expected only be able to get • Train an extra 17,500 maths sometimes exhausting journey, but it to save £1.4bn. a ‘good’. and physics teachers over shouldn’t be a permanent struggle with the For the FE sector, it seems more change the Parliament bills. could be on the cards, but not more funding. Ensuring school “That’s why our second commitment to The manifesto talks about “continuing places, with Protecting children working people is on childcare. For families to replace lower-level, classroom-based FE zero tolerance of • Introduce regional adoption with young children, this is not one issue courses with high-quality apprenticeships” David Cameron failure agencies, working across among many — it is the issue. They’re and a drive to reach the Tories’ sought-after • Continue to local authorities to match asking: how can we make this work? How goal of three million apprenticeship starts expand academies, children. can we afford it? in the next Parliament. free schools, • Expand training programmes “It shouldn’t have to be this way. That’s But despite plans to expand the coverage Vote for us —­ Nicky Morgan writes for studio schools and for social workers, such as why we’re making childcare tax free. It’s of new institutions such as UTCs and University Technical Frontline. why we already fund 15 hours of national colleges, a commitment to protect FE Week and Schools Week Colleges. • Continue to tackle all forms free universal childcare a week for families funding for existing FE institutions was • Open at least 500 of bullying. with three and four-year-olds. And I conspicuous by its absence. When politicians, the know that the qualifications they receive the watchful eye of Professor Alison Wolf, the skills they new free schools • Require age verification media and a host of are valuable and will help to set them up and we have been working through the need to get on and succeed. • Introduce for all sites containing others descended on the for life. recommendations of her report ever And at the same time, new university new powers forcing any pornographic material and Wiltshire town of Swindon, Our task for the next parliament is to since. technical colleges (UTCs) and studio school receiving a ‘requires age-rating for all music they did so because of the consolidate and build on this success: Professor Wolf found that 350,000 schools are helping young people to improvement’ rating to videos. Prime Minister’s desire to put education at to give the reforms time to bed in and to 16 to 19-year-olds were receiving prepare for work while getting the skills be taken over by new the heart of the Conservative Party’s plan spread excellence everywhere. That’s why poor-quality qualifications that were and qualifications they need. leadership unless it has an FE, skills and apprenticeships for Britain’s future. our manifesto focuses on building on not valued by employers and did not Our ambition for the next five years improvement plan • Create 3m new That’s why the magnificent UTC what has already been shown to work: a prepare them for further study. So we is to build on this success, with three • Allow all good schools to apprenticeship starts over Swindon provided the backdrop to our focus on the basics, support for teachers, have removed thousands of these poorly million new apprenticeships in the next expand, whether maintained the course of the next manifesto launch — because providing the refusal to accept mediocrity. In particular, valued qualifications from league tables parliament, new UTCs so that there schools, academies, free parliament. best schools and skills for young people is we talk about making Britain the best place and replaced them with high-quality, is one within reach of every city, and schools or grammar schools. • Continue to replace lower- a central part of our long-term economic in the world to study maths, science and employer-backed qualifications instead. the successful implementation of the level classroom-based FE plan for Britain. engineering; ensuring every student has We have also introduced the new TechBacc measure. School funding courses with high-quality We know that a good education is the the chance to study an essential academic TechBacc that will be reported for the In addition, we want to expand the • Commit £18bn for new apprenticeships. wellspring from which the good life flows. core at GCSE; and making sure every child first time in the college and school network of national colleges, building on school buildings • Ensure there is a University It’s why we have been so determined not to leaving primary school has the support sixth-form performance tables in the call for engagement we conducted • Continue to provide the Technical College within waste a moment of this parliament turning and opportunity they need to go on to January 2017 to recognise the highest last year, to provide high-level technical pupil premium protected at reach of every city in around a system that was letting too success in later life. achievements of students undertaking skills to those industries or sectors where current rates England many people down. With five more years, we also plan technical education. Our new high- there is an identified skills gap. • Continue providing free • Abolish employers’ national Today standards are higher, to build on our successful reforms to quality traineeships have already helped This represents a cohesive and meals to all infants insurance contributions on discipline is stronger and post-16 education. One of the first thousands of young people to get their comprehensive plan to deliver the best • Not allow state schools to earnings up to the upper outcomes are better. Employers actions we took when we came to foot on the route to rewarding work, schools and skills so that every make a profit earnings limit for apprentices have more faith in a system government was to commission while we have delivered over two million young person has the chance to leave • Least-well funded authorities under the age of 25. that they previously called into an independent review into new apprenticeship starts since 2010 education prepared for life in modern have already had increases in • Roll out more degree-level question, and young people vocational education under which are helping give our young people Britain. “ funding, and this will be the apprenticeships. Nicky Morgan

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Unions rebuff Tory EXPERT SARAH JONES Missing ringfence proposal a source of criticism plan for new year 7 tests Associate at Lkmco ith both their main rivals pledging to protect the about the dangers of focusing on quantity. supports people to continue to learn to raise productivity 16-to-19 education budget in some way, it was David Hughes, chief executive of the National Institute and address the skills shortages that need filling now and W inevitable the Tories would come under fire for of Adult Continuing Education, is among those to have in the future.” If one thing set the Conservatives’ plan to “By enabling the academies and failing to do so. raised concerns, claiming other parts of the sector could Association of Employment and Learning Providers introduce testing in English and maths free schools movement, the coalition Some organisations have been more outspoken than suffer. chief executive Stewart Segal said: “It is great to see the in Year 7 apart from the party’s other government has robbed local authorities others, but most share the opinion that further cuts to that He said: “The promise of three million new drive to expand the apprenticeship programme but we manifesto pledges, it was its immediate of the powers to plan and provide school budget would be devastating for FE. apprenticeships stands out as a commitment for the right have cautioned against the chasing of substantial volume and whole-hearted rejection by several places to meet demand. Instead, we have What does the Conservative James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the Sixth Form reasons but there has to be a question-mark about how targets if it puts at risk the quality of the programme. prominent teaching unions. schools opening where they are not Colleges’ Association, said: “The manifesto tells us we quality will be assured for the apprentices as well as the “A large expansion of apprenticeships will require a Both the Association of Teachers and needed and, elsewhere, class sizes are manifesto promise? can expect more of the same from a future Conservative employers. similarly increased investment by the government and Lecturers and National Union of Teachers increasing.” government. In simple terms, an unprotected 16 to 19 “The focus on the apprenticeship programme seems employers. It will also need a simplification of the system rejected several of the Dr Mary Bousted, e will maintain the amount reception kids. budget means more funding cuts. to be at the expense of other training opportunities, for funding and controlling the system to allow employers Tories’ policies, but none general secretary the of money that follows each The manifesto also confirms that “On the one hand, the Conservatives describe this as one especially for those who are already in work. the flexibility to deliver programmes that meet their as swiftly or as strongly ATL, also had strong Wchild into school…” “if children do not reach the required of the “difficult decisions” required to reduce the deficit. Apprenticeships will not fill all the skills shortages and needs.” as the proposal that those words about the policy. With a growing school-age population, standards in their exams at the end of But on the other, the manifesto supports the expansion of skills gaps on their own. Martin Doel (pictured), chief executive of the Association who don’t reach the She said: “Forcing many schools will be seeing increasing primary school, they will re-sit them academies and free schools — institutions that in many “As with the other manifestos there is of Colleges, also admitted having misgivings over “required standard” in 11-year-olds who do not rolls in the next five years, and this at the start of secondary school, to cases have proved to be more expensive but less effective disappointingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, far Conservative plans to open a university technical English and maths by the achieve ‘the required commitment to protect per-pupil make sure no pupil is left behind”. versions of sixth form colleges. too little for people already in work or trying to find college “within reach” of every English city. end of primary school standard’ at the end of funding will be welcome. Most children who don’t achieve “Cutting 16 to 19 funding while investing in voguish new work to help them get on in their careers and in He said: “They need to ensure that they only allow should be tested in their primary school to re-sit However Sam Freedman, director of level 4 (presumably what is meant by providers means scare resources are spread more thinly — their lives. UTCs and other new schools to be opened where first year of secondary SATs in secondary school research, evaluation and impact at Teach “failing” SATs) go on to struggle through this will seriously impede the ability of sixth form colleges “Millions of new jobs have been there is a genuine demand to cater for rising pupil school. displays an astounding First, and previously policy adviser to secondary school, and it is lovely to hear to support their students to progress to higher education created over the past five years but numbers. Christine Blower, the lack of understanding Michael Gove, has blogged about how politicians for once talking about these or employment. A Soviet-style insistence that every new productivity has stagnated and our “We would like to see the Conservatives commit to general secretary of about how children this really amounts to a 10 per cent cut pupils. provider must be an academy or free school is not always aging population means we are extending the protective funding ring- the NUT, accused the learn, and will label in education spending, because the However it’s not clear how retaking a in the best interests of young people.“ all going to have longer working fence to include 16 to 18-year-olds, in government of having thousands of children per-pupil amount isn’t set to rise in line test will support them. At best, it could A Tory focus on creating three million apprenticeships lives. We need to develop skills the same way the other main parties a “legacy of centralised as failures as they start with inflation, and because of increased ensure that secondary schools focus over the next Parliament also sparked concerns — this time delivery and funding which have done.” power” and an “obsession secondary school. pension contributions for schools. even more time and resources on the with testing” and said “It suggests the “We will ensure there is a good pupils who start with low previous school funding per pupil. This is hard to focus is not on improving or reforming it had “narrowed the Conservatives care far primary school place for your child, attainment. At worst, it could narrow the EXPERT argue against but infuriating for anyone the existing college sector but on new curriculum”, before going Mary Bousted more about testing than with zero tolerance of failure” Year 7 curriculum to coaching for yet concerned with young people learning “National Colleges, which will provide on to criticise the new teaching children.” With around 80,000 children missing another high-stakes test, and entrench a outside schools whose funding will suffer. specialist higher-level vocational training test proposals. Dr Bousted accused the Tories of out on their first preference primary fixed mindset in these pupils about their Alastair Thomson Beyond this, the headlines include a in sectors critical to economic growth”. She said: “The Conservative Party’s failing to mention the “imminent crisis school this week this is a timely promise. own inability to succeed in English and Former principal policy and advocacy officer at the National welcome focus on improving standards The same paragraph promises manifesto, aside from more of the same, in school places” and criticised plans The manifesto pledges £7 billion maths. Institute of Adult Continuing Education and ex-information in maths and, perhaps a less welcome publication of more earnings and pledges resits for those beginning to convert failing secondary schools and 500 new free schools in the next “…we will recruit and keep the officer at the Department of Education and Science continuation of the structural reforms destination data for further education secondary school who did not reach level into academies, adding: “Converting parliament to create new places, and best teachers by reducing the time introduced by Michael Gove. It is no courses but makes no mention of four in Key Stage 2 SATs. schools into academies is not a panacea the use of academy conversion and new they spend on paperwork… [and] accident that the manifesto was launched improving independent careers advice and “The last thing that schools or pupils for school improvement. What does accountability measures to improve the further reducing the burden of Ofsted at a new UTC college (even if the Daily guidance. need is yet more high stakes testing. work is collaboration between schools, quality of places that already exist. inspections” The challenge of ‘change Telegraph did not appreciate that this was It is understandable that the Recent research shows that children are underpinned by effective inspection.” The manifesto explains the Earlier this year the ATL, NAHT, not a traditional ‘technical college’). Also Conservatives want to promote becoming conditioned to the idea of She said the Tory plan to reduce the Conservative plan to introduce “tough ASCL and NUT joined together to versus more of the same’ the priority attached to expensive and apprenticeships as the main alternative to school as a place for exams. Creativity and burden of Ofsted was not supported new standards for literacy and numeracy write to Ms Morgan about their “bitter olitical campaigns generally favour and rising job numbers). Stressing what disruptive Free Schools suggests policies higher education but it is disingenuous to personal development have been side- by firm proposals, and said the party’s in primary schools”. Nicky Morgan wrote disappointment” at the Workload challengers over incumbents because has improved during their years in power driven by ideology as much as evidence. gloss over the reluctance/inability of many lined.” fixation with STEM subjects demonstrated in the Times that headteachers should Challenge response. Teachers and Pthe choice boils down to one of allows the party to claim, fairly or not, employers to engage with the sometimes Ms Blower also accused the government a “staggeringly narrow understanding” of be sacked if any child failed to pass these unions may be pleased that the ‘change versus more of the same’. For that more time is required to clear up necessary bureaucracy of quality of de-skilling the teaching profession, and the range of skills needed by children. new, tougher tests, but this hasn’t made manifesto recognises workload is still the Conservatives in 2015, it is about the ‘mess’ made by their predecessors The manifesto apprenticeships and also the poor record criticised the academies and free schools On teachers and teacher training, it into the manifesto (although perhaps an issue, but sadly there is nothing to coming up with compelling policies for the while side-stepping criticisms that other of schools in preparing large numbers programmes. she added: “In their five years in this is what is meant by “zero tolerance of alleviate their disappointment at the lack future while also defending and showing approaches might have delivered better or seems curiously of young people for apprenticeships or She said: “In the space of five government, the Conservatives have failure”?). of tangible suggestions for improvement. continuity with their actions over the past quicker results. workplace learning. years, the coalition government presided over demoralisation of Also missing is anything specific about “We will continue to allow all good five years. This relentless and disciplined focus lacking in vision Perhaps the saddest thing about this has de-skilled the profession by teachers, a recruitment crisis and floor targets, although David Cameron schools to expand, whether they are The way that the Conservatives make on responsible stewardship of the manifesto though, is that there is so dropping the requirement that increasing numbers of teachers said in a speech in February that the maintained schools, academies, free their case is to focus the narrative economy as an indicator of the security of and hope little recognition of the role of learning teachers should be qualified, leaving within the early years of their Conservatives were “setting higher schools or grammar schools” overwhelmingly around a job begun and Conservative government is contrasted to in promoting social mobility and in atomised the education system careers. standards, so that - at the very least – 85 In opposition David Cameron wanted going in the right direction but one which what is characterised as the irresponsible raising aspirations. When appointed so that schools are pitted “Teachers and heads will now need per cent of a school’s pupils reach a the party to “drop the obsession with remains incomplete. ‘tax and spend’ policies of other parties. Further and continuing education Conservative minister for FE in 2010, one against one another, to be convinced that a College good level of attainment, or are on their grammar schools”, calling them “divisive”, The common analogy is of a patient It sends out a clear message of focus and getting less manifesto attention than of the first things John Hayes said was and worsened pay and of Teaching will be truly way to getting there”. Of course any but the manifesto has opened the door to halfway through an uncomfortable but determination but means the manifesto schools, universities or early years is that ‘Education is not the filling of the pail pensions to such an independent and avoid threshold attainment measure will sit expansions (and probably also new-in- necessary course of treatment and it seeks seems curiously lacking in vision and hardly surprising and is a charge that can but the lighting of a fire’. It seems that extent that many short-termism and evidence- alongside the new progress measures, if all-but-name grammar schools, such to emphasise the government’s perceived hope. also be levelled at Labour. What is more for this election, the Conservatives are talented teachers are free, ideologically-driven a school chooses to introduce one of the as the Weald of Kent Grammar School economic competence (above all, on deficit When it comes to education, the concerning is that, in the one paragraph not following the old US political adage to leaving. Christine Blower policies.” approved baseline assessments for their annexe in Sevenoaks). reduction but also falling unemployment dominant message is one of protecting on further education, the Conservative govern in prose but ‘campaign in poetry’.

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‘Cradle to college’ funding makes front page What the manifesto says

School standards • Ensure the core curriculum will be he Liberal Democrats focused on • Requiring every 11-year-old to School taught at every state-funded school funding as education made the front standards • Establish an independent Educational T page of their manifesto. • Protect the education budget in real Standards Authority (ESA) entirely As the two largest parties fought it out terms from the early years to age 19 removed from Ministerial interference over structural reform and a numbers race • Protect the schools’ Pupil Premium responsible for curriculum and on apprenticeships, the Lib Dems chose in real terms and introduce a fair examination standards instead to make one of the more significant National Funding Formula • Introduce a minimum curriculum pledges of the short campaign — an Since the manifesto launch, the Lib • Provide support and intervention to entitlement – a slimmed down core increase in funding for two to 19 education. Dems have joined the apprenticeships ensure that all schools become good national curriculum, which will be Their pledge — to factor both inflation numbers race they had initially seemed or outstanding taught in all state-funded schools and rising school numbers into education keen to stay out of, announcing that • Expand the Talented Head Teachers • This will include PSHE, financial budgets over the next Parliament — will they, like the Tories, would create programme literacy, first aid and emergency have ticked a lot of boxes for both the 3m apprenticeship starts in the next • Increase the number of Teaching lifesaving skills, citizenship, and FE and schools sectors, but also led to Parliament. Schools age-appropriate sex and relationship

We have got to Images Association Dominic Lipinski/Press inevitable questions about whether the Business Secretary Vince Cable • Ensure there is a democratically education same protection would be afforded to post- announced last week that a Liberal accountable ‘middle tier’ to support • Religious education will be included 19 education funding. Democrat government would push starts make sure the schools where problems are identified. in the core curriculum Another big question which hung past the 3m by 2020 by giving out 200,000 • Introduce a local Head Teacher • Improve careers advice in schools and over everything the Liberal Democrats extra apprenticeship grants for employers money is there Board, working with schools and local colleges announced at their manifesto launch, held (AGE) and continuing with government authorities in a Battersea warehouse, was whether plans to scrap employer national insurance • Abolish unelected Regional School Apprenticeships they could be trusted following the tuition contributions for apprentices under 25. to educate the Commissioners • Double the number of employers fees crisis which followed the last election. The Lib Dems claim they will use • Rule out state-funded profit-making offering apprenticeships, from But in an interview with Schools Week the incentives to double the number population schools 180,000 to 360,000 and FE Week following the manifesto of businesses hiring apprentices, from • Give local authorities responsibility for • Extend the apprenticeship grant for launch, education minister and Lib Dem 180,000 to 360,000, by the end of the next local school-place planning employers (AGE), delivering 200,000 policy committee chair David Laws parliament, which they say will lead to • Only fund new mainstream schools in extra payouts confirmed that increased education a rise in the number of starts per year to areas where school places are needed. • Expanding the number of degree- spending would be a “red line” for any 600,000 a year by 2019/20. • Repeal the rule that all new state- level higher apprenticeships coalition involvement after May 7. Dr Cable said: “The world is changing funded schools must be free schools • Work with the apprenticeship He said: “I can’t contemplate us wanting at an accelerated rate and we need equip or academies advisory group to increase the to go into coalition in the next parliament our young people with the skills they need • Allow local authorities to select the number of apprentices from BAME unless we deliver what’s on the front for the future, to ensure they can compete school sponsor, where this is not the backgrounds page of this document, and the education in a global market place, in ever changing local authority itself • Ensure gender balance across funding pledge we are making is precisely technologies and the digital economy. • Ensure a fair local schools admissions industry sectors, and encourage one of those. “That is why the Liberal Democrats will Vote for us —­ highlights from Nick Clegg’s process underrepresented groups to apply “We are incredibly passionate about double the number of employers providing • Implement the Children’s education, not just because of economic apprenticeships over the next five years Commissioner’s report They Go The FE and lifelong learning growth but because of social justice. We and create more apprenticeship starts per manifesto launch speech Extra Mile • Develop National Colleges as national need this extra money to make sure not year than Germany. • Extend free school meals to all centres of expertise for key sectors to just that we protect education, but that we “To achieve these objectives requires children in primary education. deliver high-level skills can deliver the real improvements in the significant investment in skills by both • Establish a cross-party commission early years with more one-to-one tuition. government and the private sector. As we We cut taxes for political reform, became central to a cut in real-terms for Teaching to secure a long-term settlement for “So the fact we have put it on the front grow our economy, the Liberal Democrats millions of working what the coalition government did. schools and colleges • Guarantee all teachers in state-funded the public funding of reskilling and page of the manifesto, this is something we believe we must enhance adult skills people and lifted We can say we will invest in and nurseries. And schools will be fully qualified or lifelong learning would expect to deliver in coalition in training and our FE colleges.” the lowest paid out education because we have the Labour Party have working towards Qualified Teacher • Review the VAT treatment of general the next parliament.” of tax altogether. protected schools funding and said they will do the Status (QTS) from September 2016 FE colleges and sixth form colleges to On the subject of post-19 We directed more funding to the created the Pupil Premium in other one and not • Introduce a clear and properly ensure fair treatment in relation to the funding, Mr Laws said the party’s poorest children in our schools. government. the other, so they funded entitlement to professional schools sector pledge to “balance the books” by The Liberal Democrats will add a We have got to make sure the will keep up with development for all teachers 2017/18 meant it would have more heart to a Conservative government money is there to educate the prices and not pupil • Raise the bar for entry to the Support for young adults cash available. and a brain to a Labour one. We population, it’s as simple as that. numbers. So that’s profession, requiring a B grade • A new young person’s discount card He said: “Because we are doing won’t allow the Conservatives to And that means doing two things. another cut. minimum in GCSE maths and English for those aged 16 to 21, giving a 2/3 something very different from the cut too much and jeopardise our It means keeping up with prices, Our plans are to • Establish a new profession-led Royal discount on bus travel, as resources Tories after 2017/18, which is growing schools and hospitals and we won’t keeping up with inflation, in terms do both. To keep up with prices. College of Teachers, eventually allow public spending in line with the growth allow Labour to borrow too much of the money put into the education That means that by the end of the deliver opportunity on the cheap. to oversee QTS and professional • Enable government departments, of the economy, it’s going to mean we have and risk our economy again. system, and keeping up with the next Parliament we will have spent You have got to invest in education. development. councils and businesses to add other got much more money than the Tories When we formed the coalition number of children going into our £5bn more on our education system Short-changing schools, short- • Continue to support the Teach First offers to the card for areas such as that. in 2010, three quarters of our education system. than the Conservatives and £2.5bn changing nurseries, cutting money programme • Review access to transport for “I would aspire to that (increase in manifesto became part of the Now, the Conservative Party more than the Labour Party. And to colleges, which is what the • Establish a new National Leadership students and apprentices in rural post-19 education funding) but I can’t government’s agenda. The priorities have said they will do one, but not that, I think, is essential. Labour and Conservative parties Institute areas where no scheduled services are promise it because we are defining on its front page: fairer taxes; the other, in other words they will Education is the catalyst, it’s the imply, is short-changing future • Encourage primary schools to have at available our pledges in the terms we have investment in the poorest children increase spending in line with pupil engine of social mobility. If you generations, and Liberal Democrats least one science specialist • Improve links between employers and defined them here today.” David Laws in schools; fixing the economy; and numbers but not with prices. That’s believe in opportunity, you can’t will not do that. • Curriculum and qualifications schools

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Lib Dems hampered by coalition record Funding for 16 to 19 an easy EXPERT upport for certain policies within the Liberal Liberal Democrats reneged on their tuition fee pledge. delivering for education during the last five years indicates Democrat manifesto doesn’t seem to have been She said: “It is a matter of urgency that whichever party that they will not keep their promises and very few policies win but misgivings elsewhere claudia hupkau S enough to build trust back up for at least two of the or parties forms the next government restores education will be implemented next time.” Research Economist at the Centre for Economic country’s teaching unions. funding in England and Wales to the levels necessary to Ms Keates added that many of the policies in the Performance at the London School of Economics and Both the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the protect education funding in real terms, taking account of manifesto were “similar to those proposed in 2010, which he Liberal Democrat pledge of extra feelings on the potential impact of funding Research Co-ordinator of the Centre for Vocational National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of increases in pupil numbers and cost pressures including were not delivered”. funding for 16 to 19 education reforms on growth in this area. Education Research. Women Teachers (NASUWT) responded to the manifesto the impact of pension contribution and NI increases. She added: “Teachers, parents and children and T certainly hasn’t lost the party any Chief executive Stewart Segal said: by attacking the Lib Dems’ record in government. “It is imperative that any new government restores young people know that coalition policies in friends in the FE sector, but other elements “We share the ambition to significantly But the underlying mistrust of the party did not stop the funding lost, including in post-16 education the last five years have had a detrimental of its manifesto have led to misgivings for increase the number of employers offering both unions from welcoming several pledges. and local authority education services. It must effect on education and that if the some sector leaders. apprenticeships but doubling the number Lib Dems’ proposed expansion of NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: “Manifestos restore the cuts in teachers’ pay since 2010. Liberal Democrats had not entered the The pledge to protect funding “from will mean that we have to get the current can be swept aside in coalition, as we have seen, but we Securing funding and VAT parity for sixth form government, the Conservatives would cradle to college” has been welcomed reforms for the programme right in terms Apprenticeship Grants doesn’t solve UK’s welcome the Liberal Democrats’ prioritisation of education colleges is desperately needed. We also need not have been enabled to carry out their across the board, but Association of of not creating potential barriers against vocational education problem funding. to increase education funding to the levels vicious assault upon public services Colleges chief executive Martin Doel is employer engagement such as mandatory “We also welcome the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to needed to secure a first class education system. and the downgrading of teacher status, among those to have called on the party to cash contributions and adding complexity he Liberal Democrats’ focus on important drivers for deciding not to putting a qualified teacher in every classroom.” “With a shortage of school places, and a which has led to one of the worst go further. to the system.” apprenticeships is not surprising: offer them. She said the government had sent out a “terrible developing crisis in teacher recruitment and recruitment and retention He said: “Simply protecting the current But Mr Segal welcomed plans for a cross- Tthey have been shown to deliver There is no evidence yet as to the message” to teachers in training when it removed the retention, there can be no greater priority for our crises for a generation.” allocations from further cuts and [check] party commission on the future of funding high wage increases for those who do quality of the apprenticeships that have requirement for qualified teacher status in 2012, adding: politicians than to address the problems in freezing won’t ensure a sustainable and for adult learning, which has also been them, and are considered a model of been created under the scheme and “The NUT wants to see every child taught by a qualified education funding.” balanced system. heralded by the National Institute of Adult success in many other countries such as what benefits they bring to students. teacher, for every lesson, every day, and we know that the Chris Keates, General Secretary “For this reason, we have been arguing Continuing Education (Niace). Switzerland or Germany. While the government has introduced vast majority of parents agree with us.” of the NASUWT, said: “The Liberal that the next government, of whatever Mr Segal said: “AELP is a firm supporter The strategy focuses on extending the reforms to improve quality, it is not Ms Blower said education spending should be a priority Democrat manifesto contains many colour or colours, will need to carry out of learning being available for people of Apprenticeship Grant for Employers clear how small firms will be able to for any government, but said it was an “inescapable fact” ideas that teachers could support, a once-in-a-generation review across all all ages and so a cross-party commission (AGE 16 to 24) scheme by 200,000 over meet new requirements on minimum that the coalition government did not protect it and the but unfortunately their record in Chris Keates education funding to make sure it is being looking into the issue at a time when the next parliament. The grant, a hours of employment and paying the used most effectively and fairly. public expenditure will remain very cash payment of £1,500 per apprentice apprenticeship minimum wage, both for “In this context we are therefore very tight is a sensible approach but must hired, was introduced by the coalition time spent at the workplace and in the EXPERT the Liberal Democrats were able to run Dems in government a genuine national pleased that the Liberal Democrats have obviously include training providers in the government in 2012 to incentivise classroom. education policy on our terms.” funding formula risks going the way of committed to a series of cross-party discussions.” small firms to take on apprentices. The Liberal Democrats have made a The Lib Dem manifesto also priorities proportional representation. The most commissions on issues such as lifelong Niace chief executive David Hughes The proposed policy would cost about pledge to increase the education budget RUSSELL education and education funding in a way likely combination to deliver it is, perhaps learning, national colleges and a review said: “The next government has to find £300m, which is nearly half the adult for two to 19-year-olds by £2.5bn if elected, which neither of the other parties have surprisingly, a repeat of the Conservative- of VAT rules for sixth form and further ways to deliver and fund skills and training apprenticeship budget for 2015/16. but no details as to which portion of this done. The Conservatives will track pupil Lib Dem pact. education colleges.” for people over 19 because our economy Initially, this targeted grant was would go to FE have been given, leaving HOBBY numbers, Labour will track inflation and The proposed review of VAT rules needs to address productivity deficits and introduced with good reason: until 2012, the sector vulnerable to further cuts. And General secretary of the National the Lib Dems will track both. It is not has also been welcomed by the Sixth we already have too many skills shortages only about 13 per cent of employers in the while the manifesto mentions “reskilling Association of Headteachers Indeed, perhaps the biggest criticism Form Colleges Association, which has which will damage any chance of inclusive UK offered formal apprenticeships and and lifelong learning”, no policies are of their current education policies is just long campaigned for parity between its growth. about half of these were with larger firms, proposed for those aged 24-plus, despite how lovely they are. They express great impossible to imagine members and schools over what it calls the “A commission would provide the according to a report published by the UK the huge shortcomings in basic literacy aspirations; it is harder to see how they David Laws as a future “learning tax”. stability and certainty colleges and training Commission for Employment and Skills and numeracy among the UK adult Lovely policies, harsh realities could be achieved in a world where their Deputy chief executive James Kewin providers need to invest for the future. (UKCES) in 2012. population recently highlighted by the funding pledges are just the opening bid in Secretary of State said: “The Liberal Democrats, like Labour, Another sensible proposal is the support The potential for growth in OECD. a complex negotiation for power in an era are promising to protect the 16 to 19 budget for low-paid workers to progress at work apprenticeships was identified mainly Overall, the Liberal Democrats have t is a tough gig for the Liberal have been on a low in 2010 as the party in of continuing austerity. in real terms. But they have gone a step through tailored in-work careers and job among small firms. In light of the rapid shown commitment to the further Democrats that a party which power. Yet to dismiss them solely as warm words The Lib Dems share with Labour further by pledging to review the VAT search advice. rise in apprenticeship numbers among advancement of apprenticeships and Igenuinely seems to want (and need, It is easy to forget that Ed Balls was would be short-sighted. It is not impossible their support for QTS, for leadership treatment of sixth form colleges and FE “Their proposals for more devolution of people aged 24 and over — representing 40 their manifesto contains a concrete see below) teachers to support them is barely more popular than Michael Gove to imagine David Laws as a future Secretary development, compulsory sex and colleges to ensure fair treatment in relation skills and employment support are right, per cent of the 2.2 million apprenticeships proposal as to how to achieve this. The indelibly connected to a broken promise but my first experience of education of State in either a right or left leaning relationship education (although they to schools and academies. but we need to understand how they might started between 2009/10 and 2013/14 — question is whether the expansion of on tuition fees and the coalition’s attack politics was a massive row with him at the coalition. And their time in government include PSHE as a whole) and for a “This is a very welcome step and shows work in practice.” the grant targeted younger people and the apprenticeship grant is the right on the profession. 2010 NAHT conference. has also produced a sober, reflective and reformed middle tier. that the party understands how damaging accounts for about 20 per cent of all policy to create more and higher quality This is reflected in a precipitate decline Labour is now the opposition and has pragmatic assessment which has gone They share with all three parties a and unfair the learning tax is. apprenticeship starts for 16 to 24-year- apprenticeships. in their support among teachers. This is a made the right noises on qualified teacher down well with many school leaders and carefully understated commitment to “Plans to establish an independent olds since its introduction in February While there is plenty of evidence situation few parties could afford to ignore status (QTS) and free schools. Still, it is a teachers in the recent conference season. reform Ofsted, support for a college of educational standards authority to keep 2012. that for too long a myriad of short, low given their half million-strong numbers staggering example of the price paid for So what might the Lib Dems bring to the teaching and the read on get on campaign ministers away from curriculum content Expanding AGE 16 to 24 makes sense if quality vocational courses have been (and a situation which the Conservatives forcing through reform, although the Lib table? goals for literacy at age eleven. and examination standards are long the inability to afford apprenticeships is offered to students, massively expanding certainly did not ignore when reshuffling Dems may be disappointed that they are We could start by looking at what they’d They are an outlier on the role of local overdue and the young person’s discount one of the main constraints facing small apprenticeships over a short time horizon Michael Gove from education to the chief picking up the bill. do with all that money. In power, they’d government in education - offering it card will help students in rural areas who firms. What the UKCES report showed, is a questionable solution. Many pupils whip’s office.) Recently, both Nick Clegg and David protect the pupil premium, argue for the most support of any party. They even can struggle to meet the costs of travelling however, was that only 10 per cent of who leave compulsory education with Support for the Lib Dems has fallen Laws have attempted to build bridges. the extension of free school meals to all propose letting LAs choose academy to college.” employers said that “high cost” were the low achievements would benefit from from 23 per cent of those teachers who With Clegg saying on Monday, for primary age children and for a national sponsors. They also pay the most attention The party’s pledge on increasing reason why they did not hire apprentices. intense full-time FE courses to prepare expressed a preference in 2010 (Ipsos example that: “Having wasted a lot of funding formula. to early years and make the most concrete apprenticeship numbers has led to a Unavailability of apprenticeships for them for high quality, higher-level Mori) to just 10 per cent in 2015 (YouGov, time dealing with a lot of zany ideological Without them, I suspect the pupil offer to reduce the politicisation of familiar argument from the Association the particular industry (15 per cent) apprenticeships or higher education, TES). Most of this support has gone to gimmicks from Michael Gove and his premium may be at risk - or at least education, with their education standards of Employment and Learning Providers, and unsuitability of apprenticeships but these alternative routes remain the Labour Party. Labour will, of course, team, I think it would be a good thing if recalculated - but even with the Lib agency. which has not shied away from making its James Kewin for the business (14 per cent) were more unmentioned.

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Sectors promised return to local authorities Ukip pledge return to school selection

uge structural and funding reform would be in Green leader Natalie Bennett ore grammar schools, a close eye on “British Ukip leader Nigel Farage store for education and skills if the Green Party values” legislation, smaller classes, scrapping H formed a government, with plans to return all M tests and apprenticeships from 14 are among the schools and colleges to local authority control and pump policies proposed by the United Kingdom Independence billions into the sector. Party (Ukip). Green leader Natalie Bennett proclaimed austerity had The party wants to scrap teachers’ performance-related “failed” when she launched the manifesto at the Arcola pay and decrease paperwork for those on the front line. Theatre, in Dalston, East London, this month, and the It also wants to make it easier for schools to convert into document indicates the party would not hold back in grammar schools and vocational institutions. reversing said austerity. The proposed expansion of the grammar schools Claiming the UK needed a “peaceful political network is a key Ukip policy, and force with which the revolution”, Ms Bennett added: “Our manifesto is an party has campaigned for it has led to mounting pressure unashamedly bold plan to create a more equal, more on education secretary Nicky Morgan from Tory MPs to democratic society while healing the planet from the approve new grammar schools, with a specific campaign effects of an unstable, unsustainable economy.” for a new site in Kent. Under Green plans, class sizes would be reduced to 20, Under a Ukip government, sex education would be compulsory education would begin at seven years old, banned in primary schools, first aid training would be Images Association Wire/Press Fuller/PA Gareth while SATs and league tables would be abolished compulsory in secondary schools and the party would and children would be offered “free, nutritious aim to “monitor British values, but with a view towards lunches, with local and GM-free ingredients”. combatting extremism and radicalisation, rather than The party has pledged to re-introduce education criticising widely-held Judeo-Christian beliefs”. maintenance allowance for 16 and 17-year-olds The party’s education spokesperson, Paul Nuttall MEP, would be re-introduced and the FE sector would said: “UKIP’s vision for British education is of a world- get an extra £1.5bn in funding every year. renowned system, a system designed to allow young Alastair Grant/AP/Press Association Images Association Grant/AP/Press Alastair The manifesto document says: “Education people to perform to the best of their ability, regardless of should be at the heart of communities, and background, gender, race, wealth or class.” should promote social and emotional well-being, The suggestion that 14-year-olds be offered the chance to “UKIP’s pledge to offer students the choice of an equality, inclusion and responsibility. Schools take an apprenticeship-style qualification instead apprenticeship instead of four non-core GCSEs is a need more freedom to frame the curriculum of non-core GCSEs has been met with a note positive move, but the party must remember that around the needs and interests of the young of caution in the FE sector, with concerns an apprenticeship is a job, plus training, which people in the school. that there might not be enough employer needs the support of an employer.” “There should be an emphasis on pupil- involvement. Association of Employment and Learning centred learning, which caters for different are to provide the was just as pleased with promises of extra cash. Association of Colleges executive Martin Providers chief executive Stewart Segal raised learning styles, interests and needs.” education and skills Chief executive Stewart Segal said: “We are pleased Doel said: “UKIP has recognised that other concerns. The Association of Colleges has welcomed training which meets that the Greens are concerned about the overall level vocational education is vital to boosting the He said: “We would be concerned if the plans to invest in the FE sector, but has the need of their local of funding for the FE and skills sector, especially as the UK economy. UKIP education pledge meant an either/or choice opposed the Green policy of returning colleges community. sector can play a significant role in bringing down youth “Colleges are already working closely with between academic and vocational learning at age to council control. “We are pleased to see unemployment after the election. both local and national industry 14, which some European systems encourage. Chief executive Martin Doel said: “The a pledge to restore the “On apprenticeships, the proportion on offer to people to provide students with “Our view is that the 14 to 19 curriculum Green Party has ambitious plans to invest education maintenance over 25 is already falling, but the need for adults to high quality technical and should allow students a choice of in the sector as well as ensuring that young people have allowance as this reskill in a rapidly changing economy means that AELP professional education combining learning options access to technical and professional education and would be of great benefit to students from disadvantaged strongly believes that an all age, all level and all sector and training which as well as starting a full training, including apprenticeships. backgrounds.” apprenticeship programme should continue to receive gives them valuable apprenticeship or traineeship “However, colleges must remain autonomous if they The Association of Employment and Learning Providers government support.” employability skills. Paul Nuttall at 16.” Peter Byrne/PA Archive/Press Association Images What the manifesto says What the manifesto says

• A comprehensive system of local schools offering mixed-ability teaching and staffed teach about religions, but should not encourage adherence to any particular religious • Decrease paperwork for teachers standalone qualification in its own right by qualified teachers, and the integration of grammar schools, free schools and beliefs • Enforce current restriction on class sizes to 30 pupils and aim to reduce to 25. • Make first aid training a statutory part of personal, social and health education academies into the comprehensive system • Home education and flexi-schooling. • Scrap teachers’ performance-related pay (PSHE) in the national curriculum • Restoring education current and capital funding to 2010 levels in real terms (costing • Free nutritious lunches, with local and GM-free ingredients. • Abolish “destructive” key stage one SATs • Fund all secondary schools according to a single formula, taking into account around £7bn a year), distributed to councils, which will be free to decide how it is • Ensuring that all schools that serve particular vulnerable communities, for example • Require every primary school to nominate (and train, if necessary) a science leader. special educational needs, to ensure underfunding such as that for secondary spent the Jewish, Muslim or Sikh communities, are adequately protected from sectarian • Abolish sex and relationship education at primary school, with a requirement that moderns in the 1950s can never be repeated • Action to reduce teacher workload and introduce professional pay levels for all attacks parents be made fully aware of the sex education teaching materials being used • Reverse the “policy of closing special schools” teachers • Return FE colleges to local government control before their children see it at secondary school • Ofsted inspections will be streamlined to focus on the quality of teaching, learning • Class sizes of 20, costing £1.5bn over the Parliament. • Reverse the trend whereby 45 per cent of apprenticeships are taken by people • Ensure a range of different types of school, including grammar, vocational, technical and the overall wellbeing of children, rather than paperwork, school policies or tick- • Academic learning from six years old, with earlier years education focusing on play, over 25. and specialist secondary schools, operate within each geographical area box targets social cohesion and confidence-building, and compulsory education beginning at • Reinstate government’s duty to provide apprenticeships to all qualified young people • Give existing secondary schools the opportunity to become grammar schools, with • Monitor British values, but with a “view towards combatting extremism and age seven aged 16–19 who do not have one and want one, but extend it to age 25, and increase a goal of a grammar school in every town radicalisation, rather than criticising widely-held Judeo-Christian beliefs”. • The abolition of SATS and league tables and the evaluation of schools by parents, funding for apprenticeships by 30 per cent • Allow other establishments to become vocational schools or colleges similar to those • Teachers with at least fifteen years’ successful classroom experience will be teachers and the local community, not Ofsted, which would be abolished • Restore the Education Maintenance Allowance for 16 and 17-year-olds. promoted in Germany and The Netherlands prioritised when Ofsted inspectors are recruited • The right for every child who is disabled to a mainstream education • Provide the FE sector with £1.5bn a year extra funding • Link vocational schools and colleges with industry, with an option for students to • Additional investigations by Ofsted if 25 per cent of parents or governors present a • The removal of charitable status from private schools, with a view to absorbing them • Encourage local authorities to use extra money given to them to restore a full range of take an apprenticeship qualification instead of four non-core GCSEs petition to the Department for Education into the state system, but nevertheless ensuring that no schools are run for profit. local adult education programmes • Reintroduce the intermediate tier at GCSE mathematics • An independent body will hear complaints about an Ofsted inspection, removing • Phased out public funding of schools run by religious organisations. Schools may • Allow FE colleges and sixth form colleges to reclaim VAT, costing around £170m a year • Abolish the AS-level exam as a stepping stone to a full A-level, while retaining it as a Ofsted’s right to investigate itself

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