We spoke to the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as new Ofsted plans are unveiled for schools.
I spoke to the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson – and I started by asking her whether critics, who said today’s announcement was just a rehash of the old system, had a point?
Bridget Phillipson: No, we did commit to removing single headline grades. That was an important step. We acted quickly to do that. But it’s important that we get the system that comes next right, and Ofsted are consulting, and I know that they want to hear the views of parents, of teachers and others as part of that process. But what this new report card system will bring is a much clearer sense of what’s working well within schools, but also where schools need to improve. Much more information for parents and really shining a light on areas that are really fantastic, but also where things aren’t working. A real focus on that, too.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy: So when the unions say this is terrible, you’ll just take them on?
Bridget Phillipson: My priority is children and their life chances. That will always be my focus. And I do think parents deserve more information about what’s going on within their children’s schools. You could read an Ofsted report today under the current system, and be left almost entirely in the dark as to what’s working well and what needs to change. I don’t think that’s good enough in terms of driving school improvement. But also I think parents deserve a lot more.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy: But if the family of Ruth Perry, the head teacher who took her life, are very worried that this is just a rehash of the old system, and teachers are saying this is still going to put us under terrible emotional stress, is that what you want?
Bridget Phillipson: Of course, the wellbeing of school leaders is incredibly important and in parallel, we as the department are also setting out a consultation on wider accountability reform and we make clear that the wellbeing of staff is an important consideration. I’ve met with Ruth Perry’s family, with her sister, Professor Julia Waters. The family have been through a profound tragedy, and I am clear that wider reform of Ofsted is also required. Sir Martyn Oliver, the (Ofsted) chief inspector, has started that process. But there is more to do, and that does involve further kind of change around how Ofsted operates, especially around governance. And we’re determined to work with Ofsted to make that happen.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy: More broadly, you’ve suddenly become one of the most controversial cabinet ministers in government. You’re being accused of undermining academies, of being ideological, of being a Marxist who wants to take away the independence of academy schools. Did you underestimate the opposition to some of the things you’re doing?
Bridget Phillipson: I perhaps underestimated the degree to which the Conservatives will be more interested in seeking to defend their record than they would be on delivering better life chances for today’s children now. When I say that, I should be clear that I think there are profound strengths within our current system that have been built over 20 to 30 years from reformers like David Blunkett to Michael Gove. And I want to build on what’s working, develop that further and spread excellence. But let’s be clear, there’s lots that’s going on in England’s schools that isn’t delivering the best outcomes for children. Children with SEND who are increasingly being left behind, are not the focus of our attention. The persistent disadvantage gap that we experience and the fact that so many children don’t leave school well prepared for what comes next. Lacking those basic skills in English and maths. So I will bring focus and challenge. And if that involves upsetting some people some of the time, then that’s my duty and my responsibility as secretary of state.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy: Michael Gove though is very critical of what you’re doing. The new national curriculum, that all the schools have got to follow, and the rules around academies, and they point out that, you know, 90% of schools are getting good or outstanding ratings, that Britain’s gone up or England has gone up in the PISA rankings. I mean, they’re saying this is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.
Bridget Phillipson: But they’re resting on their laurels. Academies have got an important role to play, have been crucial in driving up standards. And I won’t hesitate to act where schools are failing. They will continue to become academies or where they are already academies, they will be moved into a strong trust because there can be no excuses why children are being severely failed.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy: You’re also taking away some of the powers of academies, aren’t you? You’re saying they’ve all now got to follow the national curriculum and anything they do is beyond that, which will be very difficult for a lot of them. I mean, are you taking away the entrepreneurial spirit of some schools?
Bridget Phillipson: I’m determined to make sure that the innovation, the best practice that we see is spread far and wide. But I approach this as a politician, but also as a parent. And I think parents watching this would reasonably expect that the teacher at the front of their child’s classroom is a qualified teacher. That’s what we’ll make sure happens for new entrants to the profession, and that alongside that, wherever their child goes to school, there is a core expectation of that national curriculum. A floor, but no ceiling on what schools can innovate beyond the national curriculum.