The Scottish Executive announced twelve key reforms, particularly aimed at secondary schools. They included: a new gold standard - the 'excellence standard' - for top performing schools; a new 3-18 curriculum - accepting in full the recommendations of the first phase of the curriculum review to deliver more choice, and a greater emphasis on literacy and numeracy; and a review of ways to simplify the exams structure, with a decision made about their future by 2007.
Source: Ambitious, Excellent Schools: Our agenda for action, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283) | Curriculum Review Group, A Curriculum for Excellence, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop
Links: Action plan | CRG report | SE press release
Date: 2004-Nov
A Bill was introduced to give schools increased freedom through three-year ring-fenced budgets from 2006; reduce the burden of information provision on schools; and reform school inspections to bring in shorter, 'no notice' inspections and greater self-evaluation.
Source: Education Bill [HL], Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes
Date: 2004-Nov
A think-tank report examined the main implications of the 'new localism' agenda in the education sector. It called on the government to address the concerns of those involved in the front-line of extending the role of schools in their local community - in particular, the lottery-like nature of the funding process, coupled with a perceived lack of transparency.
Source: David Woods and Warren Hatter, New Localism in Action: Education, New Local Government Network (020 7357 0051)
Links: Report (pdf) | NLGN press release
Date: 2004-Oct
The Labour Party published a consultative policy document on childcare, education and skills.
Source: The Best Education for All, Labour Party (08705 900200)
Links: Consultation document (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jul
The government published a five-year reform plan for education, skills and children's services. It said the plans meant that all parents and pupils would be able to choose from more good and excellent schools in their local community. Every school would be an independent, specialist school with new freedoms to run their own affairs, backed by a three-year budget. Good schools would be able to expand, and 200 independently managed 'academies' would be established or under construction by 2010 twice the number announced previously. Schools would be expected to adopt uniforms, and encouraged to organise pupils within a traditional 'house' system. Local government leaders criticised the government's failure to consult them over the plan, and said their role in the education system would be diminished. A trade union said the plans could signal the end of comprehensive schools.
Source: Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners, Cm 6272, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 8 July 2004, columns 1011-1027, TSO | Press release 6 July 2004, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000) | Press release 9 July 2004, Unison (0845 355 0845)
Links: Report (pdf) | Hansard | DfES press release | LGA press release | Unison press release | NASUWT press release | NUT press release | ADSS press release | Daycare Trust press release | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2) | Young People Now report
Date: 2004-Jul
On 1 June 2004 section 175 of the Education Act 2002 came into force, making 'safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children' a statutory duty for schools and education authorities.
Source: Education Act 2002, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Act | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jun
The opposition Conservative party announced a package of proposed reforms to the education system. Parents would be given the 'right to choose' the school that was best for their children. By 'slashing back the undergrowth of targets and brambles of bureaucracy', teachers would be given freedom to teach, and to restore discipline to classrooms. Funding would be provided so that the education system would be opened up to other organisations, including independent companies and charities. The reforms would be backed by more money for education - amounting to 15 billion a year by 2009, over and above the spending sums inherited from Labour.
Source: Speech by Michael Howard MP, 29 June 2004
Links: Text of speech
Date: 2004-Jun
The government reportedly decided to abolish a policy unit (the Standards and Effectiveness Unit) originally set up to promote education reforms. The government said the internal reorganisation would reinforce and increase its focus on standards in schools.
Source: The Guardian, 9 June 2004
Links: Guardian report | NASUWT press release
Date: 2004-Jun
The Department for Education and Skills published its annual report for 2003-04. It set out the government's expenditure plans based on the resources allocated in the Spending Review 2002. It also reported performance against public service agreement targets.
Source: Departmental Report 2004, Cm 6202, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-May
A pamphlet argued that, despite the plethora of education reforms, initiatives, targets and legislation since 1997, there had been no coherent account of what the government's 'Third Way' philosophy would mean for education policy.
Source: Tony Dessent, Beyond the Third Way, The Education Network (020 7554 2800)
Links: Pamphlet (pdf) | TEN press release
Date: 2004-Feb
The government proposed a 'new relationship' between the Department for Education and Skills, local education authorities and schools. There would be a reformed inspection regime involving 'a lighter touch and a sharper edge'; an annual 'school profile' to complement performance table data, with a short accessible document setting out data on students' attainment and progress; a 'simplified school improvement process', involving a 'single conversation' between schools and a 'dedicated school improvement partner' to identify development priorities and support needs; and measures to reduce bureaucratic demands on schools. The new scheme would be first introduced on a trial basis in selected areas.
Source: Speech by David Miliband MP (School Standards Minister), 8 January 2004
Links: Text of speech (Word file) | DfES press release | NASUWT press release
Date: 2004-Jan
A report said that skills shortages and skills gaps could ultimately only be closed by improving standards in education. It warned that too many school-leavers were lacking in basic skills and qualifications.
Source: Richard Wilson, The Government s Skills Strategy for the Nation: Strengths, weaknesses and future priorities, Institute of Directors (020 7766 8866)
Links: Report (pdf) | IOD press release
Date: 2004-Jan
