The Next 5 Years

Posted  11th May 2015
The country's views have been heard, and for the next 5 years education in England will be developed in line with Conservative policies. Over the last 6 weeks or so the following statements have been made.
  • Every 11-year-old must know their times tables and be able to do long division.
  • Children who fail to reach level 4 in their SATs in year 6 will resit at secondary school.
  • The “EBacc” subjects (english, maths, science, a foreign language and either history or geography) will be compulsory.
  • The creation of 3 million new apprenticeships.
  • At least 500 more new free schools will be created by 2020.
  • All good schools, including grammar schools, may expand.
  • All schools judged to be failing or coasting will become academies.
  • Spend per pupil will be protected; education budgets will not be cut however they are not expected to rise with inflation.
  • A new independent College of Teaching will be established to place teachers on an equal footing with other high-status professions.
  • A pay rise of 1% for state school teachers in England and Wales for the coming year – with a 2% increase for more experienced teachers.
The next couple of years will be difficult for schools. The changes to National Insurance and contributions to the Teachers Pension Schemes will see an additional 4.7% added to staff costs, without any increase in salaries. That’s almost £50,000 for schools who currently spend £1m on teacher salaries.