To wonder what all these changes Labour has made to schools are?

[CatRescueNeeded]

From an article in the BBC today, Kier says “really done loads of improvements in schools and stuff that we can do for children - whether that's rolling out school uniform projects, whether it's school meals, breakfast clubs, you name it“

Despite having kids in schools and knowing lots of kids in different schools around the country, I’ve not heard of any changes at all. They definitely haven’t done free breakfast clubs like they said they would. Nor have I come across any changes to uniforms or school meals

so what exactly is he talking about?

Sounds concerning. I’m glad two dc are through or nearly done.

Schools were hit by NI increase. Were given some funding towards this but not enough to cover it. See my post above where funding never covers the costs

@EasternStandard the current curriculum needs changing. Be interesting to see what the review comes up with and whether will improve things. Changes will mean more work for teachers etc when we have teacher recruitment/retention crisis. However, retention crisis is helping some schools not to have to implement redundancy programme as funding isn’t sufficient and in Primary schools there is a falling roll due to falling birth rate

@crumblingschoolswhy do you think it needs to change? Out of interest

Re teaching recruitment crisis
Phasing out teachers being able to retire at 55 would give some way to helping this .
Yes, I know it's on a reduced pension, but as literally every teacher I know has retired before they were 58, I am guessing it's still pretty generous. And funded by taxpayers.

Thanks for all the commente

So it sounds like what has happened is:

• eligibility for free school meals extended to cover UC but won’t start for another 15months
• Free breakfast club piloted in some schools only, but not properly funded so some of the pilot schools have already stopped
• ”promises” of extra funding and changes to curriculum

so they haven’t actually done anything of note yet (although the extension of free school meals is to be applauded when it actually starts)

anything I’ve missed?

can you link?

You missed that there are now 400 fewer teachers, that the 6500 don't include primary and that they have now shut up about 6500 cos of the 400 fewer.
You missed that schools are having to cut costs + make teachers redundant due to budget cuts.

You missed that due to NI + NMW rises + that "free hours" dont actually cover the running costs, they are forcing many private nurseries to close but state nurseries don't cover school holidays so the parents who have moved their kids are now scrabbling to find childcare for the holidays.

You missed thart they shut down: Access to Latin, Advanced maths, STEM access courses in state schools and reduved number of behaviour, language + computer hubs.

But yeh 60p for a crappy piece of toast + diluted juice makes up for that 🙄

Dumbed down the curriculum mostly to lower the bar. It’s equality, innit. The usual socialist tactic.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report

Only difference in the Primary i work at is a redundancy this summer plus we are shuddering at the thought at having to expand our breakfast club to what the trial schools did - it is so severely underfunded. If we have 75% uptake itll be unsafe as govt been ridiculous with ratios.

Any views on SEND reform?
In context that many SEN kids were in private but can't afford it anymore so are forced to state?

Keeping exhausted older teachers who don't want to be there sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I suspect early retirement is cost neutral, as the pension is reduced to account for the longer retirement.

I have a strong view.

It goes along the lines of "government will restrict EHCPs for all but several cases, force more kids into mainstream and then claim they've solved the SEN crisis"
By reducing number of EHCPs they will reduce legal demands on LAs + schools plus reduce number of kids exempt from VAT. They will create "SEND hubs" in schools = broomcupboards with unqualified staff and will be used as holding pens. They are already saying they will make all teachers "SEND specialists" ie 1 or 2 x CPD sessions and then claim all teachers can now teach SEND within the mainstream classes.

Bigot Phillipson is the anti-education and the fact that court case forced them to admit they considered exempting all SEND kids from VAT but then decided against it cos it would significantly reduce amount of ££ collected, tells you everything. Then she followed up with "children need more resilience" and the fact the Schools Bill will bring in guidelines to reduce parent ability to appeal and complain says it all. Anyone with a child with SEND (and no current EHCP). in state schools should be worried!

@twistyizzy

My thoughts exactly.

I can't comprehend why there was so much outcry re PIP but nobody's protesting about SEN children being denied special provision they need and parents not being allowed to appeal. Ridiculous

We no longer have to buy expensive logoed uniform as every clothing item. They still have a mandatory logoed jumper, tie and PE top but we no longer need to buy logoed PE leggings, sweatshirt, skirts and trousers.

SEND hubs" in schools = broomcupboards with unqualified staff and will be used as holding pens.

Exactly this. This is not quality first teaching or even inclusion, it's just cheap.

I’m confused. I thought the teaching profession wanted a Labour government. This thread sounds like they’ve been very disappointed.

Who to vote for next? I genuinely don’t think politicians can satisfy people at all anymore!

twistyizzy I completely agree.

They did and the unions especially did but they, like many, also didn't do enough scrutiny of Labour during the election. They saw Labour attacking independent schools with soundbites around "eiltes" + "privilege", bought the lie of 6500 teachers and dug no further.
The fact Labour have now made UK only country in the world to tax education should have told them everything they needed to know about how Labour value education. We are now ideologically behind Nigeria FFS who have just reversed the tax on education.

There were never going to be 6500 more teachers cos Labour lied to everyone about the impact of VAT on independent schools.

Labour should have been held up to more scrutiny during election ie their plans for SEND, but most people (quite rightly) just wanted to see the back of the Tories so didn't bother asking Labour the hard Qs.

The 2024 budget saw less money going to education than 2014 PLUS unfunded NI rise + first payrise.

Thank you - this isn't Becky Francis' report - are you able to link that?
The interim report doesn't set out huge changes but does refer to the current review of subject matter, which is to be reported on in the Autumn, did you mean that and do you have any information about that?

Problem is who do you vote for? Education seems to be at the bottom of the pile for everyone

Well I have to go into my children’s school tomorrow to collect a free uniform pack for September. I wondered where they might’ve come from.

Agreed and also for many parents it seems. The fact so many parents with kids in state schools haven't even read the Schools Bill is scary.
Why aren't state school parents shouting from the roof tops, lobbying their MPs en masse etc? There are approx 4 million+ parents with kids in state schools so that's enough power to hold politicians to account.
Sadly it seems many just aren't aware. Until you get the awareness then people won't vote with education in mind.
Maybe its just a sad indictment of the importance the average voter puts on education 🤔

That scheme has been in place for a while though hasn't it?