Welcome to the first article in our new series focusing on the world of policy, where we’ll track key developments in from Westminster, the Senedd, and beyond. These updates will highlight significant reports, inquiries, and legislative changes that could shape the future of SEND and FE.
Education Committee SEND and FE inquiry
The Education Select Committee announced a wide-ranging inquiry into solving the SEND crisis just before Christmas. The inquiry is focused on finding solutions in several key areas including current and future SEND needs, the model of SEND provision, accountability, funding, and capacity, much of which Natspec covered in our submission to the Committee. The first oral evidence session focused specifically on hearing the parent’s perspective, with questions on mechanisms for increasing mainstream inclusivity, putting SEND support on a statutory footing, increasing accountability for SEND provision and ensuring that all staff are adequately trained to support SEND learners through collaboration with clinical settings. Natspec’s research into post-16 transport issues for SEND learners was quoted by a representative from Contact as they highlighted the current ‘loophole’ for 16-18 learners in accessing transport support.
As one door closed, another opened and the Education Committee launched a second inquiry, this time into further education and skills. In its call for evidence, specific attention is paid to funding arrangements for specialist colleges, with wider SEND lines of inquiry focusing on closing the attainment gap and making qualifications accessible to learners with SEND. The simultaneous inquiries are evidence that FE and SEND are both featuring high on the Westminster agenda in terms of addressing challenges in education and provide a valuable opportunity to amplify the voices of specialist FE.
Martyn Oliver and Bridget Phillipson at the Education Select Committee
The Education Committee has also been busy hearing evidence from top officials. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, appeared in front of the Committee to address key issues such as school inspections, the aftermath of Ofsted’s Big Listen, and school report cards (more on that later).
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Permanent Secretary Susan Acland-Hood also appeared before the Committee. Topics included the national funding formula, where Phillipson noted ongoing efforts to find better mechanisms for determining education funding. On mainstream inclusion, she highlighted £740 million capital investment to improve the inclusivity of mainstream school facilities and referenced international models such as Ireland and Ontario as examples of successful inclusion. While legislating for inclusion remains a distant option, the DfE continues exploring how inclusivity can work effectively within existing frameworks, including Ofsted inspections.
Ofsted consultations
Ofsted launched its much-trailed consultation on reshaping the way education institutions are inspected. After scrapping single headline grades for schools last year, Ofsted announced their proposal for new report cards which will assess education providers across eight key areas: leadership and governance; curriculum; developing teaching; personal development and wellbeing; attendance; behaviour; and attitudes and inclusion. The current four-grade scale will be replaced by a five-step system, with ratings ranging from “exemplary” to “causing concern”. For FE and skills, there will be overall grades for leadership and inclusion, along with up to 16 separate grades for different provision types, depending on what provision types each provider offers.
Ofsted’s consultation seeks feedback on the new report cards, proposed changes to inspection methodology, and a series of education inspection toolkits, which outline evaluation areas and grading criteria for different provider types, with FE and Skills having its own toolkit.
The DfE is holding a parallel consultation which is mostly focused on school accountability, although it also raises the possibility of expanding new school profiles to further education institutions. The deadline for responding to both consultations is 28 April.
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons in January and moved onto the Committee stage. The Bill is largely focused on safeguarding and children’s welfare, with measures such as free breakfast clubs and rules around home schooling. There are also measures around reducing profiteering for children’s social care providers and new powers and regulations for the Secretary of State over independent education institutions which provide for children of compulsory school age.
The most controversial aspect of the Bill centres around rules for academies, including requirements for new teachers to have qualified teacher status or be working towards it, a ‘salary floor’ for academy teacher pay, requirements to follow a national curriculum.
IFS Report on Education Spending
The Institute for Fiscal Studies published its annual report on education spending, highlighting significant pressures across the system. One striking finding is that education spending has fallen from 5.6% of national income in 2010-11 to 4.1% in 2023-24. Additionally, the increase in funding announced at the Autumn Budget will only deliver a real-terms freeze in per-student funding. With the FE student population expected to grow by 5% between 2024 and 2028, the report suggests that an additional £200 million annually would be needed by 2027 to maintain current funding levels.
Post-16 inquiry and strategic workforce plan in Wales
In Wales, the Children, Young People, and Education Committee launched an inquiry into post-16 education and training, focusing on improving participation rates. Meanwhile, Education Secretary Lynne Neagle announced plans for a Strategic Education Workforce Plan to tackle recruitment and retention challenges, reduce workload pressures, and improve conditions for education staff.