DYT Week Ahead: Ofsted to focus more on pupil behaviour

25/6/2018

Welcome to this week’s edition of ‘The Week Ahead’  (25th June 2018) Here you will find the latest updates on literacy and SEND policy from Parliament and beyond.  

Things to know:

  • Spielman: Ofsted to focus more on pupil behaviour Amanda Spielman’s speech at the Festival of Education last Thursday explained how Ofsted’s new inspection framework will have a “clearer focus on behaviour”. She also gave her backing to schools that make pupils write lines and community service as part of punishment. Spielman also announced that Ofsted will carry out research into how pupils with SEND in mainstream schools can get better access to support.
  • Education Secretary to face committee on staff recruitment Damian Hinds will face the Education Committee on Wednesday where he is expected to face tough questions on teacher recruitment and his plans to “simplify” the role of Ofsted and Regional School Commissioners.
  • Have your say on teacher recruitment and retention The Department for Education are hosting events across England to provide teachers with an opportunity to help shape the Department’s policy development. They are particularly keen to hear your views on areas including professional development, flexible working and entry routes into teaching and how they can be improved.
  • Attend: Launch of the SEND Governance Review Guide DYT will launch the SEND Governance Review guide this Wednesday at our London office at 6 pm (sign up here). Commissioned by Whole School SEND and co-funded by the Department for Education and Driver Youth Trust in partnership with leading governors and trustees, this guide aims to ensure that all boards have a positive impact for young people with SEND in their setting. Download the guide from sendgov.co.uk.

Attend the launch of the SEND Governance Review Guide

 

If you missed it:

  • The Department for Education has announced that 25 schools will trial revised Early Learning Goals from September. The aim is to improve measures to support children’s early development in language and vocabulary.
  • Nick Gibb’s speech at the Festival of Education proposed that the government would “support the development of new specialist qualifications” to provide career progression opportunities for all teachers. Gibb identified curriculum design and teacher development as areas that would be supported, there was no mention of SEND specialists in his speech.
  • Angela Rayner vows that Labour will end the race to the bottom in our schools and Damian Hinds states that “championing teachers is my priority.”

This Week:

Monday 25th June 

At 2:30 pm Damian Hinds and his education team face their monthly oral questions in the House of Commons. Question 1 and 19 focus on the effectiveness of the 2014 SEND reforms, see the rest of the questions to be asked.

At 3 pm the Public Accounts Committee questions a number of witnesses on the effectiveness of Ofsted’s inspection of schools. The Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman is among those who will be questioned by the committee.

Wednesday 27th June

At 9:30 am Damian Hinds will be questioned by the Education Committee. Expect the teacher recruitment crisis, changes to the accountability system and T-Levels to be amongst areas that the Education Secretary is grilled over.

At 3 pm Lord Bassam of Brighton questions the government on what benefit they anticipate from the increased funding recently announced for grammar schools.

Thursday 28th June

After 11 am The House of Lords will debate the Impact of the Boarding School Partnership information service.

To end the day –  Baroness Thomas of Winchester leads a debate on the challenges facing disabled people in the UK in 2018.


Keep up to date with DYT’s campaigning work


DYT’s View:

DYT has fed into the Labour Party’s National Education Service policy. DYT welcomes the vision set out in the proposal. However, we call on the charter and specific policies that will follow to strongly commit to supporting SEND learners and developing an inclusive education system.     

Read our submission

 

  • School Performance in Academy Chains and Local Authorities – 2017 (EPI)
  • Phonics check 2018 pass mark announced (Schools Week)
  • Who’s Left 2018, part one: The main findings (FTT Education datalab)
  • Reading in primary: which model is best? (TES)

Get in touch: 


Dan Baynes
Policy & Research Executive
daniel.baynes@driveryouthtrust.com