Budgets for schools and 16-19 for 2012/13
As anticipated, funding for schools in 2012/13 will be much the same as in 2011/12. The Secretary of State confirmed this in a Statement covering schools, 16-19 and capital funding. The press statement can be read in full: here
The settlement not only reflects the government’s current Spending Review restrictions but also comes at a time when much of the funding system is under review.
The main details of the settlement are:
· the Minimum Funding Guarantee remains at 1.5%.
· Overall, school budgets will remain the same, subject to any changes in pupil numbers. However, the Pupil Premium will increase to £600 per pupil from April 2012 and eligibility for the Pupil Premium is widened. Details about the Premium can be found: here
· The capital budget remains the same as last year, with some additional funding to help with the demand for extra school places in some areas.
· The funding formula for 16-19 remains the same but with additional funding to support the most disadvantaged young people.
· Government priorities for post-16 provision in 2012/13 will be to:
o reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
o encourage more young people to continue in education beyond the age of 17;
o support Foundation Learning; and
o help young people with additional needs.
Primary school 2011 test results
On 15th December, the DfE released the performance tables for the 2011 primary school tests. The BBC publishes a range of analyses of the results. These are signposted: here
The DfE has published a detailed analysis of the 1,130 schools below the primary floor standard where fewer than 60% of pupils achieved the expected level in English and maths, as well as the highest performing schools. This can be found: here
This year, the government has published new-look performance tables that provide more information in particular about different groups of pupils and show the progress made by low, medium and high attaining pupils.
As ministers have already indicated, the government will continue to put pressure on schools performing below the floor standard to improve, preferably by becoming academies. Those schools that have been below the standard for more than three years are likely to be required to be sponsored to become academies either through existing academy trusts or by partnering with high performing schools.
Changes to GCSE examinations
As ministers have indicated, the government is not happy with the current structure of GCSE examinations. In particular, the government feels that too much emphasis has been placed on modular assessment throughout the course and there have been too many opportunities to re-sit examinations in order to achieve improved grades.
On 14th December, the DfE announced changes to be introduced from September 2012. The main changes are:
· Students starting two year GCSE courses starting in September 2012 will have to sit their exams at the end of the course in summer 2014.
· Students will no longer be able to re-sit individual unit exams in order to improve their grades although they may resit the whole GCSE exam. Students will be given an early opportunity to resit maths, English and English Language exams every November.
· Students will be marked on the accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terms. In the first instance, this will apply to the subjects that require extended writing: English Literature, geography, history and religious studies.
These are intended to be short term changes. The government is also planning longer term changes to GCSE syllabuses and exam requirements to reflect changes to the National Curriculum when these are implemented.
Details about the proposed changes to GCSE exams can be found: here
National Curriculum Review
The Secretary of State has published the initial findings of the team that is reviewing the National Curriculum. The Expert Panel that is undertaking this review have come up with some fundamental recommendations in particular when comparing the rate of progress being made by most school children in the United Kingdom with education systems in the highest performing countries internationally.
The Panel has not only recommended a fundamental review of the content of the current National Curriculum but has also argued that the key stage structure can lead to a lack of pace and should be reviewed.
The Expert Panel has also raised questions about the relationship between curriculum and qualifications in secondary schools where evidence shows that what is taught is determined as much, if not more, by examination requirements than by the National Curriculum. This means that GCSE reforms need to be considered as an integral part of the National Curriculum review.
These initial recommendations are so significant that the Secretary of State has decided to change the planned timetable for the introduction of the new National Curriculum. Instead of the changes in English, maths, science and PE being introduced from 2013 and the remainder in 2014, the new curriculum for all subjects will now be introduced from September 2014.
The DfE press release sign posts to where the detailed findings of the review to date can be found: here
Helping young people into education, training and work
The government has published plans to increase the participation of 16 – 24 year olds in education, training and work.
Building Engagement, Building Futures sets out the strategy to improve opportunities for young people and reduce the number of NEETs (not in education, employment or training).
The strategy has five priorities for action:
· raising attainment in schools and beyond;
· helping local partners to provide effective and co-ordinated services that support all young people;
· encourage and incentivise employers to offer high quality apprenticeships and work experience places;
· support young people to find work;
· put in place a new Youth Contract to be put in place over the next three years to help young people to continue in learning or earning before long term damage is done.
The strategy can be found: here
Reforming Early Years
The DfE has confirmed plans for a reformed and simplified Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to be put in place from September 2012.
Ministers have accepted the recommendations of the review led by Dame Clare Tickell into EYFS. The intention of the changes are to:
· reduce bureaucracy;
· ensure early intervention where problems are identified; and
· ensure that young children are ready to learn by the time they start school
Details of the proposed changes can be found: here
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