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Category: Education

  • Emma Hardy – 2020 Comments on High Student Drop Out Rates

    Emma Hardy – 2020 Comments on High Student Drop Out Rates

    The comments made by Emma Hardy, the Shadow Universities Minister, on 12 August 2020.

    Education should be a right for all and it is clear that the Government must do more to support disadvantaged students in attending university.

    To give students confidence to attend university this Autumn there needs to be clear guidance on how to make campuses COVID secure and an effective national track and trace system.

    Students’ university experience will not be the same and it is disingenuous for either universities or the government to suggest it will be.

    Action must be taken to prevent high student drop out rates and universities must urgently reassure students about the benefits of attending university this year.

  • Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on Triple Lock on Student Results

    Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on Triple Lock on Student Results

    The comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 12 August 2020.

    Every young person waiting for their results wants to know they have been treated fairly. By ensuring students have the safety net of their mock results, as well as the chance of sitting autumn exams, we are creating a triple lock process to ensure confidence and fairness in the system.

    No one wanted to cancel exams – they are the best form of assessment, but the disruption caused by Covid-19 meant they were not possible.

    This triple lock system will help provide reassurance to students and ensure they are able to progress with the next stage of their lives.

  • Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on University Admissions

    Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on University Admissions

    The comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 11 August 2020.

    I’m confident the system Ofqual has put in place is fundamentally a fair one, that will award the vast majority of students a calculated grade that genuinely reflects the grade they would have achieved. Provisional data published by Ofqual suggests that the number of As and A*s being awarded will increase compared to last year and moderation has ensured students from all backgrounds have been treated fairly.

    We know that, without exams, even the best system is not perfect. That is why I welcome the fact that Ofqual has introduced a robust appeals system, so every single student can be treated fairly – and today we are asking universities to play their part to ensure every young person can progress to the destination they deserve.

  • Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on School Transport

    Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on School Transport

    The comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 8 August 2020.

    Ahead of delivering on the national priority of all children and young people returning to full-time education in September, I am asking every staff member and student to plan now how they will get to school or college. If it is possible to walk or cycle, please do.

    While our public transport system has almost returned to full service, I know thousands of people will choose to get active and find alternative modes of transport, because with distancing measures still in place it is important that we all play our part to ensure everyone is able to get to school safely, and on time.

    For those that have no other option than public transport, this investment for local authorities will mean more students will be able to travel on dedicated home to school and college transport, creating even more capacity where it is needed most.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Education Policy Institute Analysis

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Education Policy Institute Analysis

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 7 August 2020.

    While more money for schools is welcome, this research shows that the National Funding Formula is neither efficient nor effective at directing money to schools serving the most disadvantaged.

    If the Government really wants to ‘level up’ and get value for the taxpayer, it should prioritise ensuring the largest funding increases reach the students who need the most support. Especially at a time when Covid-19 threatens to widen the attainment gap further.

    This formula is a nonsense that claims to fund schools fairly but actually bakes in inequality.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Ofqual Appeals

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Ofqual Appeals

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 7 August 2020.

    This belated decision to allow some schools to appeal grades, following repeated concerns being raised by parents, pupils, teachers, and the Labour Party, is welcome, but does not go far enough in ensuring that the system will be fair for all young people.

    The Scottish Highers scandal shows the potentially devastating consequences of an inflexible system deciding grades, and life chances, by algorithm rather than genuine leadership from government.

    The government should have ensured that Ofqual had a robust appeals system in place from the beginning, instead of announcing one a matter of days before A-Level results. They must do far more to ensure the system is genuinely fair.

  • Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on School Funding Projects

    Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on School Funding Projects

    Comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 5 August 2020.

    As we work towards all children returning to school in September, this investment in our school and college buildings helps create modern environments that lend themselves to great teaching, making sure every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

    We have worked at great speed to release this additional £560 million of condition funding to schools for projects this year to kick-start the economy and transform the buildings so vital for excellent teaching.

    We have now allocated over £2 billion this year to improve the condition of our school buildings, paving the way for our new transformative ten-year school building programme starting later this year with over £1 billion funding for the first wave of 50 schools.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Prime Minister’s Use of Child Poverty Statistics

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Prime Minister’s Use of Child Poverty Statistics

    Comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Education Secretary, on 30 July 2020.

    It is shameful that the Prime Minister is unable to tell the truth about the hardship faced by so many families struggling to make ends meet.

    Children and families in such difficult circumstances deserve better than this shabby treatment from an out of touch Prime Minister who has repeatedly failed to be honest about the challenges they face.

    The Prime Minister must now correct the record, both publicly and in Parliament, and ensure that when he next raises his government’s damning record on child poverty, he comes clean about what the stats are saying.

  • Gillian Keegan – 2020 Comments on College Collaboration Fund

    Gillian Keegan – 2020 Comments on College Collaboration Fund

    The comments made by Gillian Keegan, the Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, on 23 July 2020.

    I’m delighted to announce the 20 applications that have been successful in securing funding from the College Collaboration Fund.

    Now more than ever, it’s vital that colleges can support their students to gain the skills they need to progress and employers and our economy need to grow. This fund will help colleges work together, to develop cutting edge digital approaches to online learning, to overcome new challenges and continue to deliver high quality education and training for the communities they serve.

    The past few months have been a challenging time for the sector, but they have gone above and beyond to support their students. This additional funding will help to support further collaborative work as we move forward. I look forward to hearing more about their progress and wish them all the best.

  • Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on Education Funding

    Gavin Williamson – 2020 Comments on Education Funding

    Text of the comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 20 July 2020.

    This year has been incredibly challenging for schools, teachers, and students due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with everyone working in education going to incredible lengths to support children and ensure they can get back to the classroom.

    Not only are we confirming another year of increased and better targeted funding for our schools, but with our transformative national funding formula we are making sure the money is distributed fairly across the country so all schools can drive up standards. With two thirds of local authorities now having moved towards the national funding formula, it is time for the remainder to follow suit and ensure fairness for every child.

    Our £1 billion Covid catch up fund comes on top of this £14.4 billion three-year school funding boost, meaning that this government is leaving no stone unturned in levelling up opportunities for every young person up and down the country.