Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lord Bew appointed to chair external review of testing

    PRESS RELEASE : Lord Bew appointed to chair external review of testing

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 5 November 2010.

    Lord Bew will lead a small review panel consisting of two education experts, a number of primary headteachers and one secondary school head. The panel is due to launch a 12-week call for evidence, following which it will publish a progress report summarising the evidence gathered. The panel will publish its final report by June 2011.

    The review will look at a number of issues, including

    • how best to ensure schools are properly accountable to pupils, parents and the taxpayer for the achievement and progress of every child, on the basis of objective and accurate assessments
    • how to ensure parents have good-quality information on the progress of their children and the success of schools
    • how to avoid, as far as possible, the risk of perverse incentives, over-rehearsal and reduced focus on productive learning
    • how to ensure performance information is used and interpreted appropriately within the accountability system by other agencies, increasing transparency and preserving accountability to parents, pupils and the taxpayer while avoiding the risk of crude and narrow judgements being made.

    Education Secretary Michael Gove has acknowledged the current system can be improved to ensure concerns – such as children being ‘drilled’ at the expense of broad learning – are overcome while the information parents want is still provided.

    Michael Gove said:

    We know parents support clear, rigorous and transparent testing at the end of primary school, and the OECD has concluded that external accountability is a key driver of improvement in education and particularly important for the least advantaged. So we must continue to allow parents to know how their local primary schools are performing.

    Raising standards and narrowing gaps are the central goals of the Government’s education policy. It is not our intention that the accountability system should be punitive or unfair to schools working in difficult circumstances but it must be able to identify and tackle cases of sustained underperformance.

    Equally, I recognise concerns from heads and teachers about the current system. That is why I have ordered a review – to see whether there is a better way to give parents the information they want and hold schools to account, while overcoming the concerns.

    I am delighted that Lord Bew, a hugely experienced, cross-bench peer, has agreed to lead the review, and I look forward to considering the panel’s findings next year.

    The Education Secretary also announced today new arrangements for delivering National Curriculum tests and assessments following the abolition of the QCDA. Working within the Department, an executive agency will oversee statutory tests and assessments for children up to age 14. Its exact remit will be confirmed following consideration of the recommendations of Lord Bew’s review.

    Michael Gove said:

    It is essential that the statutory assessment arrangements put in place following our review are delivered in a timely and effective way. It is right that accountability for ensuring this rests with ministers, and that is why I am establishing an executive agency within my department that will be accountable to me for the secure delivery of its functions.

    As the independent regulator, Ofqual will continue to have an important role, as it does now, in keeping under review the agency’s functions relating to National Curriculum tests and assessments.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Michael Gove announces review of key stage 2 testing

    PRESS RELEASE : Michael Gove announces review of key stage 2 testing

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 5 November 2010.

    Education Secretary Michael Gove today appointed the cross-bench peer, Lord Bew, to chair the external review into Key Stage 2 testing, assessment and accountability.

    Lord Bew will lead a small review panel consisting of two education experts, a number of primary headteachers and one secondary school head. The panel is due to launch a 12-week call for evidence, following which it will publish a progress report summarising the evidence gathered. The panel will publish its final report by June 2011.

    The review will look at a number of issues, including:

    • how best to ensure schools are properly accountable to pupils, parents and the taxpayer for the achievement and progress of every child, on the basis of objective and accurate assessments
    • how to ensure parents have good-quality information on the progress of their children and the success of schools
    • how to avoid, as far as possible, the risk of perverse incentives, over-rehearsal and reduced focus on productive learning
    • how to ensure performance information is used and interpreted appropriately within the accountability system by other agencies, increasing transparency and preserving accountability to parents, pupils and the taxpayer while avoiding the risk of crude and narrow judgements being made.

    Education Secretary Michael Gove has acknowledged the current system can be improved to ensure concerns – such as children being ‘drilled’ at the expense of broad learning – are overcome while the information parents want is still provided.

    Michael Gove said:

    We know parents support clear, rigorous and transparent testing at the end of primary school, and the OECD has concluded that external accountability is a key driver of improvement in education and particularly important for the least advantaged. So we must continue to allow parents to know how their local primary schools are performing.

    Raising standards and narrowing gaps are the central goals of the Government’s education policy. It is not our intention that the accountability system should be punitive or unfair to schools working in difficult circumstances but it must be able to identify and tackle cases of sustained underperformance.

    Equally, I recognise concerns from heads and teachers about the current system. That is why I have ordered a review – to see whether there is a better way to give parents the information they want and hold schools to account, while overcoming the concerns.

    I am delighted that Lord Bew, a hugely experienced, cross-bench peer, has agreed to lead the review, and I look forward to considering the panel’s findings next year.

    The Education Secretary also announced today new arrangements for delivering National Curriculum tests and assessments following the abolition of the QCDA. Working within the Department, an executive agency will oversee statutory tests and assessments for children up to age 14. Its exact remit will be confirmed following consideration of the recommendations of Lord Bew’s review.

    Michael Gove said:

    It is essential that the statutory assessment arrangements put in place following our review are delivered in a timely and effective way. It is right that accountability for ensuring this rests with ministers, and that is why I am establishing an executive agency within my department that will be accountable to me for the secure delivery of its functions.

    As the independent regulator, Ofqual will continue to have an important role, as it does now, in keeping under review the agency’s functions relating to National Curriculum tests and assessments.

    Further information

    Lord Bew is a cross-bench peer, Professor of Irish Politics at Queen’s University in Belfast, and a Member of Royal Irish Academy (MRIA). He was a historical adviser to the Saville Inquiry from 1998 to 2001.

    Membership of the panel in full is:

    • Lord Bew – Chairman
    • Miriam Rosen – Former Executive Director, Ofsted
    • Ruth Miskin – Founder, Read-Write Inc. and former primary headteacher
    • Greg Wallace – Headteacher, Woodberry Down Community Primary School in Hackney
    • Helen Clegg – Headteacher, Shiremoor Primary School in North Tyneside
    • Kate Dethridge – Headteacher, Churchend Primary School in Reading
    • Lubna Khan – Headteacher, Berrymede Junior School in Ealing
    • Tim Sherriff – Headteacher, Westfield Community School in Wigan
    • Sally Coates – Principal, Burlington Danes Academy in West London

    Representatives of Ofsted and Ofqual will act as observers.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New endowment fund to turn around weakest schools and raise standards for disadvantaged pupils

    PRESS RELEASE : New endowment fund to turn around weakest schools and raise standards for disadvantaged pupils

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 3 November 2010.

    The Secretary of State for Education has today allocated £110 million to establish an education endowment fund (EEF) designed to raise standards in underperforming schools.

    The EEF will distribute money to local authorities, academy sponsors, charities and other groups that bring forward innovative proposals to improve performance in our most challenging schools. Those bidding for funds from the EEF will have to outline how their proposals will raise attainment. Bidders must also demonstrate how they will be held accountable for the success of their proposals.

    The announcement comes as Mr Gove hosts a visit from Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education. Mr Duncan is here to exchange ideas with the UK Government. On both sides of the Atlantic, reforming Governments are implementing ambitious plans to transform state education. Secretary Duncan has helped introduce charter schools, the equivalent of our Free Schools and academies, to help raise the attainment of disadvantaged students. He has also made funds available to improve teacher recruitment and training.

    The EEF draws on President Barack Obama and Secretary Duncan’s ‘Race to the Top’ programme, which invites states to apply for funding to trailblaze bold and innovative approaches in schools across the country.

    By inviting bids from those who wish to turn round our weakest schools, the Government is also building on the transformative potential of the new pupil premium. Our most challenging schools are overwhelmingly concentrated in our areas of greatest deprivation.

    The pupil premium will result in more money being allocated to support the education of all of our poorest children, adding £2.5 billion to school funding by the end of the CSR period. The EEF will allow many of the schools that educate our poorest children to do even more, and the innovative practice it encourages should drive improvement across the school system.

    The EEF will be administered at arm’s length from ministers. The team administering the fund will be appointed following an open competition.

    Funding for projects will come from returns on the EEF’s investment and fund managers will be able to draw down some of the capital from the total sum each year. The independent organisation that runs the EEF will also be expected to attract additional contributions from other organisations and philanthropists to add to the fund.

    This fund is being established from the money that was set aside when the Government took the decision not to increase the number of free school meals. The establishment of the fund fulfils the Government’s pledge to better use this money to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

    Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, said:

    The international evidence shows that we’re falling behind other countries educationally, and we have one of the most unequal school systems in the developed world. That’s why we need to press ahead with reforms which will raise standards for all children.

    This new fund builds on the success of President Obama’s ‘Race to the Top’ scheme. It will make schools and local authorities compete to help the poorest. Combined with our pupil premium, the expansion of the Academy programme, more rigorous exams and tough action to improve discipline, it adds up to a comprehensive package of school improvement.

    Each project will have to meet tough criteria in order to be awarded funding, and bidders must prove their innovative, bold and rigorous approaches will support school improvement. Projects can be run by schools, charities, teachers, local authorities, national leaders of education, or successful academy sponsors and principals.

    The EEF is just one part of the Government’s strategy for narrowing the attainment gap between the richest and poorest pupils and raising standards in underperforming schools. The Department’s detailed strategy for tackling the weakest schools will be laid out in the forthcoming schools white paper.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary commits £110m to weakest schools

    PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary commits £110m to weakest schools

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 3 November 2010.

    The Secretary of State for Education has today allocated £110 million to establish an education endowment fund (EEF) designed to raise standards in underperforming schools.

    The EEF will distribute money to local authorities, academy sponsors, charities and other groups that bring forward innovative proposals to improve performance in our most challenging schools. Those bidding for funds from the EEF will have to outline how their proposals will raise attainment.

    The announcement comes as Mr Gove hosts a visit from Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education. Mr Duncan is here to exchange ideas with the UK Government.

    Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, said:

    The international evidence shows that we’re falling behind other countries educationally, and we have one of the most unequal school systems in the developed world. That’s why we need to press ahead with reforms which will raise standards for all children.

    This new fund builds on the success of President Obama’s ‘Race to the Top’ scheme. It will make schools and local authorities compete to help the poorest. Combined with our pupil premium, the expansion of the Academy programme, more rigorous exams and tough action to improve discipline, it adds up to a comprehensive package of school improvement.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Michael Gove responds to Chief Schools Adjudicator report

    PRESS RELEASE : Michael Gove responds to Chief Schools Adjudicator report

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 1 November 2010.

    Education Secretary Michael Gove said:

    I would like to thank Dr Ian Craig, the Chief Schools Adjudicator, for his annual report, which raises a number of important issues.

    It is absolutely right that every parent should want their child to go to an excellent school, so school admissions will continue to be a controversial and sensitive issue as long as there are too few good school places.

    I am committed to driving up educational standards so all parents have that choice of high-quality schools close to home, which is why we are encouraging providers to set up new schools and turning round under-performing schools. And so no child is disadvantaged because of their background, I am introducing the pupil premium.

    I also intend to make the school admissions framework, including the School Admissions Code, simpler and fairer, and I have asked my officials to start speaking with key stakeholders.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia deploys merciless warfare methods in Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia deploys merciless warfare methods in Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 September 2022.

    UK Ambassador Bush criticises the Russian government for the malign political and geopolitical tactics used in their illegal war against Ukraine.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. Over the last 6 months, Russia’s merciless warfare methods, including relentless targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, have proved beyond our worst fears. In my statement today, I will focus on the malign political and geopolitical tactics employed by Russia, and their impact on people throughout the world.

    We are by now familiar with the Kremlin’s administrative playbook for trying to establishing control in the regions it temporarily controls: but it has proved ineffectual. Attempted ‘passportisation’ will never undermine Ukrainian national identity. And the international community will not recognise the results of staged referenda that have been pre-decided in Moscow. In particular, the UK condemns Russia’s plans to use their proxies to hold illegitimate “trials” of captured members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia must comply with international law and treat these individuals in accordance with their status as Prisoners of War.

    We are also familiar with Russian tactics that are even more sinister. The second Moscow Mechanism report documented widespread ‘filtration camps’. Here at the OSCE, we have heard moving testimonies from both survivors of and families affected by the filtration process. We have seen credible evidence of civilians abused, physically and psychologically, and kept in unsanitary conditions with insufficient food and water. Survivors describe torture, humiliation and ill-treatment. According to the Moscow Mechanism report, those who fail filtration are “separated from others and often simply disappear”. The report also found evidence of other authoritarian practices, including large-scale deportations of people to Russia against their will, and cases of orphaned children brought to Russia, whose whereabouts are now unknown. We are supposed to learn from the mistakes of the darkest chapters of European history; not use them as a blueprint.

    Having failed to garner global support for his war, President Putin tried instead to hold the world to ransom – with food, energy and by deploying military personnel and weaponry to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Global food security was already under threat from COVID-19 and climate change. The rest of the world saw the risk of famine as an urgent global challenge: President Putin saw it as an opportunity to weaponise food supply. 47 million of the world’s most vulnerable people are one step away from famine, and close to 1m are already experiencing famine-like conditions because of the Russian government’s conduct in Ukraine.

    The Russian government has applied the same tactics to energy, and again, the most vulnerable groups are being hit hardest. But attempting to coerce the world through energy exports will backfire. Russia has merely proved itself to be an unreliable supplier, and hastened diversification away from Russian energy.

    We are grateful to the UN and Turkiye for brokering a deal that enables grain shipments to leave Ukraine. We also welcome the news that Director-General Grossi’s and his team have managed to get to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant today. But Russia should not be congratulated for solving problems it has itself created. The only way President Putin can truly alleviate the global crises he has created is by ending the war and withdrawing from Ukraine.

    To underpin the despicable tactics I have described today, the Russian state has generated extensive propaganda. Kremlin information operations seek to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty, create false pretexts for invasion, obscure the truth and hide war crimes. But the Russian government is losing the information war. We have exposed President Putin’s online troll factories. And independent organisations and institutions, including the OSCE, have amassed evidence that Russia is targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Russian government knows this, which is why they are enforcing such draconian censorship throughout their own country. The Kremlin has legislated against references to ‘war’ or ‘invasion’, closed Russia’s independent press, prevented protests from taking place, stopped access to social media and arrested individuals for telling the truth. The Russian authorities fear facts; we will continue to use them to undermine the Kremlin’s strategy.

    I conclude today with the words of my Prime Minister during his visit to Kyiv last week, “What happens in Ukraine matters to us all….But the war is only going to end one way. Ukraine will win and Britain will be by your side.” Thank you, Mr Chair.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : Independent Member for the House of Lords Appointments Commission

    PRESS RELEASE : Independent Member for the House of Lords Appointments Commission

    The press release issued by Downing Street on 1 September 2022.

    The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Harry Mount as an Independent Member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

    Harry Mount has today been confirmed as the new Independent Member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) from 11th September 2022.

    The appointment follows a recent open campaign.

    Harry Mount

    Mr. Mount is a journalist and writer. Editor of the Oldie magazine and contributor to the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Spectator, Daily Mail and New York Times. He was a former media and libel barrister at Middle Temple and investment analyst.

    Lord True, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office welcomed the new Member appointment, saying:

    I would like to congratulate Harry Mount on his appointment as an Independent Member to the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Harry Mount brings a wealth of experience from his career, and has much to offer House of Lords Appointments Commission and I wish him the best in his role

    Notes:

    HOLAC has two main functions:

    • to recommend individuals for appointment as non-party political life peers; and to vet nominations for life peers, including those nominated by the UK political parties, to ensure the highest standards of propriety.
    • Independent Members are appointed for five year non-renewable terms. More information about HOLAC can be found on their website.
    • The role was widely advertised, including on the Public Appointments website, from 8th June and closed on 12th July.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Brave, inspirational and selfless acts recognised with new Home Secretary commendation

    PRESS RELEASE : Brave, inspirational and selfless acts recognised with new Home Secretary commendation

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 1 September 2022.

    Individuals who have protected communities, carried out immense acts of bravery and championed the UK to be a better place have been recognised by the Home Secretary.

    Priti Patel has awarded 110 people a new commendation, which honours individuals in policing, fire, community organisations, the civil service and campaigners.

    Actions to help cut crime and the harm it causes, protect vulnerable people and communities, and respond to the threat of terrorism were all individually recognised by the Home Secretary at a ceremony at Lancaster House yesterday.

    Individuals recognised include:

    • Figen Murray, who campaigned for Martyn’s Law following the death of her son Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena attack
    • Bishop Derek Webley for leading the Windrush Working Group
    • members of Merseyside Police, who responded to the bombing at Liverpool Women’s Hospital as well as recent tragic murders
    • Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik, whose work ensured justice was served for the family and friends of PC Andrew Harper
    • Sheila Coates for her leadership providing front­line services to victims and survivors of sexual abuse
    • the National Crime Agency team who worked with law enforcement partners in Europe to target a major criminal network suspected of involvement in the smuggling of up to 10,000 people across the Channel in the last 12-18 months, leading to the arrests of more than 40 people across Europe and upwards of 100 boats being seized

    Policing leaders recognised include those who led on security for COP 26, the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Cornwall and the Commonwealth Games, as well as those responding to illegal protests, the tragic deaths of Vietnamese migrants in Essex and tackling county lines.

    Chiefs who helped tackle this year’s wildfires and blazes last year in Greece, and helped a convoy of equipment reach Ukraine, were also given a commendation.

    Medals were awarded to Border Force officers deployed into Kabul as part of Operation Pitting, one of the largest humanitarian evacuations in history, which brought over 15,000 people to safety in the UK.

    Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

    It is impossible for me adequately to express my gratitude to all those who have made truly outstanding contributions in keeping our communities safe or making our country a better place.

    It is only right to recognise the exceptional efforts and courage of these people. This commendation says to the world that what they do is important, vital and absolutely valued.

    The Home Secretary expressed her personal thanks to individuals who have selflessly given their time to advocate change for the better, such as members of the Windrush Working Group, whose insight and expertise contributes to the government’s commitment to right the wrongs of Windrush, including advising on the Windrush Compensation Scheme, which has now paid out £40.5 million across 1,037 claims.

    Civil servants recognised with a commendation include those responsible for:

    • establishing the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme, which have so far brought 118,000 Ukrainian people to safety in the UK
    • leading the Home Office response to the threat from Russian oligarchs and dirty money
    • tackling organised immigration crime and removing people with no right to be in the UK

    Awards covered a range of crime and policing, fire, counter-terrorism, drugs, security and immigration issues that the Home Office works tirelessly to deliver for the public on.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches climate change consultation for pension scheme

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches climate change consultation for pension scheme

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 1 September 2022.

    The consultation proposes more effective governance, strategy, risk management and targets for the assessment and management of climate related risks and opportunities for the Local Government Pension Scheme.

    The government has launched a consultation today (Thursday 1 September) on new requirements for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to manage and report on their climate-related risks, including the carbon emissions attributable to their investments.

    The proposals include a requirement for LGPS authorities to calculate their carbon footprint, and to assess how different temperature rises could affect their assets and liabilities.

    Authorities would also need to report annually on how well their assets are aligned with the Paris agreement.

    The move seeks to improve the management of climate-related financial risk and brings the LGPS in line with requirements which are already in place for private pension schemes.

    Minister for Levelling Up, Paul Scully MP said:

    Managing risks and opportunities related to climate change is essential for the future of the financial sector. It will empower better decision making and ultimately help us on the road to net zero.

    The UK is a world leader in implementing the recommendations of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures, which are a key factor in greening the financial sector.

    I am pleased that we are proposing to extend these requirements to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which has assets in excess of £300 billion and enormous potential to have a positive climate impact.

    The consultation puts forward proposals which will require LGPS administering authorities to have more effective governance, strategy, risk management and targets for the assessment and management of climate related risks and opportunities.

    The requirements do not encourage funds to divest from energy companies, which will be key to the transition to clean energy in the UK.

    Government will invite people to respond to the consultation on the proposals raised.

  • Robert Buckland – 2022 Comments on Wrexham Becoming a City

    Robert Buckland – 2022 Comments on Wrexham Becoming a City

    The comments made by Robert Buckland, the Secretary of State for Wales, on 1 September 2022.

    Congratulations to Wrexham on achieving city status. The city and surrounding area already has so much to offer – it’s home to the famous Wrexham Lager Brewery, the Unesco World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and a fantastic football club which is Wales’s oldest and one of the oldest in the world.

    There is already much for Wrexham to be proud of and its future is equally exciting. I hope that the city of Wrexham continues to prosper and grow.