Plymouth identified as education 'cold spot' for 'levelling-up' support
The government has announced major reforms to raise the standards in schools
Last updated 2nd Feb 2022
There are going to be major reforms to the education system in England, in order to raise the overall standards in schools.
As part of its 'Levelling Up' paper, the government has announced that 'Education Investment Areas' will be prioritised as the location for specialist sixth-form free schools.
Ministers have identified 55 education “cold spots” in England, including Plymouth.
The Department for Education said "as 95% of these areas are outside London and the South East, it is the struggling schools of the North, Midlands, East of England and South West that will be receiving much more support over the next decade”.
What will the scheme achieve?
In areas where education outcomes are weakest, teachers will be offered a 'levelling-up premium' to improve retention.
Schools within the 'Education Investment Areas' which are judged less than "good" by Ofsted in successive inspections "could be moved into strong multi-academy trusts, to attract and more support and the best teachers".
The scheme will also set a target of 90% of pupils leaving primary school in England to reach the expected standard of reading, writing and maths in 2030.
In 2019, only 65% of schoolchildren were proficient in all three.
Schools in these areas will be supported to address other issues like attendance and will be “encouraged” to join a new pilot programme to monitor this.
A new 'Future Skills Unit' will also be set up to look at the data and evidence of where skills gaps exist and in what industries.
Thousands more adults will be able access free, flexible training and get the skills needed to secure careers in sectors including green, digital and construction as part of up to an extra £550 million boost to expand the 'Skills Bootcamps' across the country.
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, their families and caregivers will be better supported with respite care and internship opportunities.
Councils will be funded £30 million for the next three years to set up more than 10,000 extra respite placements.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said it was the Government's aim to provide equal opportunities to unleash their potential.
“This White Paper sets out our blueprint for putting skills, schools and families at the heart of levelling up. It focuses on putting great schools in every part of the country, training that sets you up for success in a high-skilled, well-paid career and ensuring no-one misses out on opportunities simply because of where they live or their family background," he said.
“Raising our expectations and aspirations for children, as well as creating a high-skilled workforce, will end the brain drain that sees too many people leaving communities in order to succeed.
“These plans will help create a level playing field and boost the economy, both locally and nationally".
However, some headteachers have argued that the new sixth forms would primarily help pupils who are already high-achieving.
Speaking about the new changes, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Geoff Barton, said that the new schools could stretch resources even further.
"The devil will, as ever, be in the detail"
"We are not so sure about the idea of setting up ‘new elite sixth forms’. This sounds like they will serve children who already do very well and could put pressure on existing provision when the simplest solution would surely be to improve the lamentable state of post-16 funding".
Mr Barton said the children did need more support but that he was unsure the White Paper achieved this, as the most disadvantaged pupils needed help that went “beyond the school gates” to address poverty, while there was a “crying need” for better funding for pupils with special educational needs.
He added: "There’s much food for thought in the outline of the government’s White Paper, but the devil will, as ever, be in the detail.
"Identifying 55 communities for intensive additional support sounds promising and we look forward to seeing exactly how this will work".
'Children will have a bright future'
Plymouth has been included in these plans because it is already part of a place-based pilot, which was announced last year.
Since May 2020, Plymouth has been one of four areas across the country taking part in an £10m initiative that sees local schools collaborating with each other, working together to share priorities, expertise and experience. There has been a focus on school leadership, teaching and learning, curriculum and inclusion.
Recent performance data suggests that the pilot programme is starting to make a difference, with Key Stage 4 attainment higher than the national average after many years’ where it was below the average performance. However, it is still very early days. In order to drive improvements further, continued funding and support from Government is essential over the next few years.
As part of the new Education Investment Areas programme, the Department for Education will offer retention payments to help schools keep the best teachers in the highest priority subjects.
Plymouth City Council says it welcomes this announcement and is working with the DfE to ensure that any resources for the new programme is in addition to the funding already committed as part of last year’s pilot and will help cement the collaborative plans to drive education standards even further.
Councillor Dave Downie, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills, Children and Young People, said: “The opportunity for more investment for Plymouth education is always welcomed. I am sure all education providers in the city are equally pleased that the Government has recognised the good foundations that Plymouth has already put in place through the place-based pilot.
“We are committed to building on these improvements. And, whilst the devil is always in the detail as to how the new Education Investment Areas will work, I am hopeful that we will be able to build on the improvements that are already being made, to make sure that we can tackle issues head on and achieve our vision that all children and young people in the city are able to aspire and achieve and have a bright future.”