Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, comments on the appointment of Lucy Powell as Education Secretary.
“We’re sorry to see Bridget Phillipson leave the role of Education Secretary. She has sought to work constructively with the education sector and has championed policies designed to support children who face the greatest challenges. Those priorities reflect the values of school and college leaders who are striving every day to create a fairer society where opportunities are available to all and are not limited by background. In particular, she deserves credit for her work on tackling the appallingly high level of child poverty in the UK, and for bringing forward plans to improve support for children with special educational needs. While there are many challenges in delivering those plans, she has started a process which is long overdue in making the system work better for everyone involved.
“Unfortunately, her ambitions have been undermined by public spending decisions which have left schools and colleges desperately short of the funding they need, and this has been compounded by the implementation of a flawed inspection system which is putting disproportionate pressure on education staff. As a result, workforce morale is at rock bottom.
“We welcome Lucy Powell to the role of Education Secretary. She will face a major challenge in better matching the many expectations on schools and colleges with the resources necessary to deliver those expectations, as well as addressing the impact of an accountability system which is driving people out of the profession and damaging mental health and wellbeing. It also seems likely that she will have the task of implementing a new direction in education policy.
“Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that a ‘complete rethink’ of education is needed which builds parity between academic and technical routes and provides every young person with great opportunities. This is particularly important as we currently have one million young people who are not in education, employment, or training. However, a great deal of policy detail is needed about how to turn those aspirations into reality. School and college leaders are absolutely ready and willing to be part of that process and we look forward to working with the new administration to shape a fairer future.”