As the Department for Education publishes its first white paper in six years, we summarise some key plans for “levelling up” education.
The average GCSE grade in Maths and English Language is to become a 5 by 2030
The last set of English Language and Maths exams which were sat in 2019 (before the pandemic), saw an average result of 4.5. The Department for Education has set the target to get the average mark in both subjects to 5 by 2030.
Introduction of a literacy test for a sample of year 9 students
As part of the effort to increase the English language average grade from 4.5 to 5, a new test of the national performance will be introduced. A sample of year 9 students will be selected to take the test and the results will be used to estimate performance at a national level.
A 32.5 hour week is expected of all mainstream schools
All mainstream state funded schools are to now ensure they are open for a minimum of 32.5 hours a week. These schools are to work towards meeting this expectation “as soon as possible and by September 2023 at the latest”.
Legislation on recording attendance
New legislation will be introduced to modernise how attendance is recorded. A national data solution will be used to track attendance and provide a “safety net” for vulnerable pupils at risk of disappearing from school.
Behaviour guidance review
The Behaviour in Schools Guidance along with the Suspension and Permanent Exclusion Guidance is to be changed. The proposed changes were in consultation until 31st March this year. The Department for Education will also launch a new national behaviour survey to get a “better understanding” of the thoughts and feelings of parents, teacher and pupils on behaviour and wellbeing.
For more information on the DfE’s plans, you can read the full white paper here.