As reported by DfE, new government proposals aim to increase good school places by allowing faith-based academies more freedom, alongside unveiling data that shows more than half of schools are now academies
These proposals build on the government’s success in raising school standards, with 90% of schools now rated good or outstanding, up from just 68% in 2010. Pupils in England are now ‘best in the West’ at reading and have risen to 11th in the global maths rankings, up from only 27th in 2009, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study.
The proposals mean high performing faith school providers will be able to create more good school places and create strong multi-academy trusts around the country where there is demand.
The Church of England, Catholic Church and other faith school providers have a track record in delivering high quality education and run some of the highest performing schools across the country.
New data also published today shows that there are almost 11,000 academies in England, representing over half of state-funded schools, marking a major milestone in the government’s progress towards the vast majority of schools being part of strong trusts by 2030.
The 50% faith cap means that if a new free school with religious character is oversubscribed, it can only prioritise pupils based on faith for 50% of places. At least half of the school’s available places must be allocated without reference to faith-based admissions criteria.
As a result, some faith groups have felt unable to open new free schools and felt discouraged about bringing existing schools into academy trusts.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
As someone who attended a faith school as a child and having worked closely with our leading faith groups as Education Secretary, I’ve seen first-hand how their values and standards so often give young people a brilliant start in life.
Faith groups run some of the best schools in the country, including in some of the most disadvantaged areas, and it’s absolutely right we support them to unleash that potential even further – including through the creation of the first ever faith academies for children with special educational needs.
Our plan to give every child a world-class education is working, with 90% of schools now good or outstanding up from just 68% 2010, but we will keep raising that bar until every school is as good as the best.
High quality multi-academy trusts have been key to the increase in standards in schools since 2010. The best trusts have transformed the life chances of their pupils, including thousands of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Today’s consultation will explore how to maximise the benefits that high quality academy trusts deliver, and in particular how to improve provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by opening special faith-based academies.
The SEND system is underpinned by investment in the high need budget, which will have risen by over 60% in the last 5 years to over £10.5 billion this year.
We are continuing to make record investments, as we deliver on 60,000 more special needs places across the country, helping to increase capacity following a decrease in pupils in special schools between 1997 and 2010.
However, it is currently not possible for special schools to open as academies and be designated with faith status.
These reforms, along with today’s consultation, will help to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality, fulfilling education.
This consultation will help government to support faith school providers in opening more schools across the country.
There is a rigorous process in place for opening any new state school. Any new school must be approved by the Secretary of State and proposers must be able to demonstrate their commitment to community cohesion and how they will promote British Values alongside a knowledge rich curriculum.
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