Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, responded to the decision to scrap the Schools Bill
“It is the correct decision to withdraw the Schools Bill. It was poorly written and problematic, particularly the clumsy attempt to give the Secretary of State unprecedented powers over individual schools.
“We would also question whether focussing on large structural chasnge is the right priority for the government at the moment, given the hugely worrying and growing shortage of teachers, and the rising costs schools and colleges are having to grapple with. However, if the intention to move towards a fully trust-led system remains, it will be necessary to simplify and streamline the way in which multi-academy trusts are regulated, and the government will now have to find other ways to take this work forward.
“There were some much-needed proposals in other areas in the Schools Bill, including plans for a register of children not in school, and greater powers for Ofsted to investigate unregistered schools. These policies are long overdue and should still be a priority.
“There are also many proposals in the Schools White Paper which were not included in the Bill but which appear to be in limbo because of the multiple ministerial changes since it was published. This includes proposals around a longer school week and the ‘parent pledge’. It is not helpful that schools do not know whether or not these are being progressed.”
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