As the Children’s Wellbeing and schools Bill was debated in the House of Commons on 8th January, James Wild MP raised concerns the Bill undermines the freedom of academies which combined with accountability has driven educational improvements. he also backed calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
The Bill reverses many of the freedoms that academies currently benefit from which has been key to driving improvements. For example, all schools, including academies will have to follow the national curriculum which while most do will inhibit innovation in some schools. Failing schools will no longer be automatically taken over by an academy. Schools will also lose the flexibility to pay staff more than the national framework. By mandating Qualified Teacher Status, the reforms will make recruitment challenges more difficult.
The Conservative government significantly drove up school standards across England to give every child the best start in life. The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests show between 2009 and 2022 England went from 21st to 7th in the PISA league table on maths. England went from 19th to 9th for reading. On science England went from 11th to 9th. Results in Scotland and Wales which did not match England’s reforms declined.
The Conservatives also tabled an amendment to call for the establishment of a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs. The investigation into child sexual exploitation by organised networks was only examined on a local level in six case study areas, however, there are at least 50 towns that had grooming gangs of this kind. Local Inquiries of this nature do not have necessary legal powers to summon witnesses, take evidence under oath or requisition evidence. Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch has therefore called for a national inquiry to streamline this process and increase action taken to help victims.
James challenged the Education Secretary on why the government was blocking new free schools if her focus was on improving standards.
Speaking about the Bill James Wild said:
“Our education reforms helped teachers to drive up standards in English, Maths, and Science and rise up international league tables. But this legislation would reverse the measures that gave schools more freedom but held them accountable for results.
Although there are child protection aspects of this legislation which I welcome, we are calling for a national inquiry to uncover the truth about the child abuse grooming gangs and secure the justice victims deserve.”
