Phillipson pledges ‘national renewal’ in upcoming white paper

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the forthcoming schools white paper will set out a “path for national renewal”, promising to extend opportunity to every child and strengthen schools as “anchors in our communities”.

Speaking at a conference of trust leaders on 16 October, Phillipson said the white paper would focus on taking children “from forgotten to included”, expanding education from “narrow to broad”, and increasing engagement among pupils and parents.

She said: “I want to see every child achieving and thriving. The success of the system cannot, and will not, be measured only by the success of a few.”

The paper, to be published later this year, will include measures aimed at improving reading, behaviour and attendance, as well as additional support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Phillipson announced a new statutory assessment for reading in year 8 to track progress between primary and secondary school, alongside an ambitious phonics target for 90% of children to reach the expected standard by the end of year 1. The government will also launch a “National Year of Reading” and fund a library in every primary school.

“Reading holds the key to so much,” she said. “It is the passport to the rest of their lives as engaged and active citizens.”

The education secretary said £740m would be invested to create 10,000 more places for children with SEND in mainstream and specialist schools. The government also plans to expand teacher training content on SEND and increase early identification of learning needs.

Phillipson said the government would “work with parents as partners” to ensure reforms meet children’s needs. “It’s a scandal, a stain on our society, that outcomes for children with SEND have stagnated,” she said.

She also confirmed that the white paper will address pupil behaviour and attendance, with an emphasis on “setting early expectations”. Last year, she said, children spent five million more days in school compared with the previous year, but suspensions had tripled.

“Far too much time is lost to poor behaviour,” she said. “We’ve got to turn it around. Children must be calm and focused – from withdrawn to engaged.”

The white paper will also feature a review of the national curriculum led by Professor Becky Francis, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, to ensure it is “fit for the future”.

Phillipson said collaboration among schools and trusts would remain central to the government’s approach, adding: “Together we will end what doesn’t work by spreading what does.”

She closed her speech by linking education reform to the wider goal of “national renewal”, saying schools had a crucial role in shaping the citizens of the future.

She concluded: “The path to national renewal runs right through our schools. IIf we want young people to choose hope, first they need to find opportunity – not just some of them, but all of them.”