Schools Bill to help improve standards and safeguarding for children

New laws are expected to be unveiled today with the aim of ensuring every child receives a good education regardless of where in the nation they live.

The Bill aims to raise education standards across the country through a range of measures, including supporting schools to join strong, multi-academy trusts, introducing registers for children not in school and giving Ofsted more powers to crack down on unregistered schools operating illegally.

It is expected to help deliver the government’s Levelling Up promise for education of 90% of children leaving primary school achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by 2030.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘I want every parent across the country to know that their child’s education is at the very heart of this government’s agenda.

‘We are determined to raise standards in our schools so every child has access to the same opportunities wherever they live, and our brilliant teachers are supported to do what they do best, which is why we’re putting our education ambition into law this week.

‘By giving every child a good education, we’re giving them the opportunity to thrive so they can reach their full potential and secure the jobs needed – this is absolutely vital to our levelling up mission.’

The Bill also includes measures to:

• Strengthen the regulatory framework for academy trusts, underpinned by powers to intervene where they are failing
• Introduce a direct National Funding Formula, so that every school is allocated funding on a fair and consistent basis
• Require schools to publish an attendance policy
• Place a duty on local authorities to provide support to home-schooling families
• Give the Teaching Regulation Agency increased powers to investigate misconduct

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi commented: ‘Our new Schools Bill, alongside the Schools White Paper, will create a school system that works for every child, parent and family, bringing every school up to our current best standards.

‘We want every school to be part of an academy trust, enabling teachers to focus on what they do best – meeting the needs of every child. Schools’ approach to attendance is being overhauled to make sure every child gets the benefit of every possible hour in the classroom.

‘In combination, this work will make sure every child has access to an education that they deserve and helps them fulfil their potential.’

Photo by Kenny Eliason