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Education Committee

News, comment and analysis on the Education Select Committee

Articles
Education for all
Education
By Helen Hayes MP
Education for all
After her committee recently published a report on solving the SEND crisis, Helen Hayes, Chair of the Education Committee, examines the proposals put forward by the government in the King’s Speech on the Education for All Bill
The government must intervene before the universities crisis worsens
Education
By Jo Grady
The government must intervene before the universities crisis worsens
During moments of political crisis it’s often said there are weeks when decades happen. This has been one such week.
Further Ofsted Inspection Tragedy Will Be On Government Shoulders, Union Warns
Education
Further Ofsted Inspection Tragedy Will Be On Government Shoulders, Union Warns
Any tragedies that occur after changes to the school inspection system will be the responsibility of the government and Ofsted, an education union has warned.
Ministers Must Tackle 'Moral Failures' In Care Leavers System, Says Committee
Communities
Ministers Must Tackle "Moral Failures" In Care Leavers System, Says Committee
A new education committee report has urged the government to tackle the “broken” children’s care system.
'We have all been let down by the system': My experiences of foster care
Social affairs
By Lamar Mohsen
'We have all been let down by the system': My experiences of foster care
Lamar Mohsen gave evidence to the Education Committee last month on her experiences of care. She called for changes to help siblings keep in touch, to keep placements as local as possible and better support for those turning 18. This is an edited version of her testimony
Former Education Minister Says Childcare Needs Boost For Students And Disadvantaged Families
Social affairs
Former Education Minister Says Childcare Needs Boost For Students And Disadvantaged Families
Chair of the Education Select Committee Robin Walker has said Government childcare measures must go further to support families and the early years sector, urging the government to expand provisions to graduate students and disadvantaged groups.
Partner content
Education
By The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
IET response to the House of Lords Education for 11-16 Year Olds Committee’s report: ‘Requires Improvement: Urgent change for 11-16 Education’
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is pleased see the release of the House of Lords Education for 11-16 Year Olds Committee’s report: Requires Improvement: Urgent change for 11-16 Education.
Education Committee To Investigate 'Bigger Picture' Surrounding Schools Concrete Crisis
Education
Education Committee To Investigate "Bigger Picture" Surrounding Schools Concrete Crisis
The education committee will investigate the “bigger picture” surrounding the RAAC concrete crisis that has affected schools across the UK.
The Education Committee has a full plate tackling childcare, teacher retention, school absence and more
Education
By Robin Walker MP
The Education Committee has a full plate tackling childcare, teacher retention, school absence and more
It’s just over six months since I sat down at the horseshoe as chair of the Education Committee, having pledged to launch inquiries into childcare and the early years, and the growing issue of persistent school absence
We must act to stop our children’s life chances being forever harmed by Covid
Education
By Rob Halfon
We must act to stop our children’s life chances being forever harmed by Covid
As we emerge into a world changed by Covid, we need an education system that gives everyone, no matter their background or where they are in the country, the chance to climb the ladder of opportunity.
Education Recovery Advisor Quit After Asking Boris Johnson For £15bn But Was Offered 'Feeble' £1.4bn
Coronavirus
Education Recovery Advisor Quit After Asking Boris Johnson For £15bn But Was Offered "Feeble" £1.4bn
Sir Kevan Collins, who was tasked by Boris Johnson to devise an education recovery plan, has confirmed he quit after asking for £15billion so pupils could catch up on lost learning from the pandemic, but was offered just £1.4billion.
White working class pupils are the victims of over a decade of cuts – not the term white privilege
Education
By Kim Johnson MP
White working class pupils are the victims of over a decade of cuts – not the term white privilege
The Education Committee report is a shameful attempt to stoke the culture war by scapegoating ethnic minorities for the poverty endemic in ‘left behind’ communities.
Stephen Lawrence Day is a time to reflect on the transformative power of education to improve life chances
Communities
By David Simmonds MP
Stephen Lawrence Day is a time to reflect on the transformative power of education to improve life chances
As we reflect on this year’s Stephen Lawrence Day, a day where we come together to continue to push the agenda for change and the sort of society where everyone can flourish, I wanted to reflect on my passion, education.
Government’s Own Education Recovery Commissioner Says Covid-19 Catch-Up Funding Is “Not Sufficient”
Coronavirus
Government’s Own Education Recovery Commissioner Says Covid-19 Catch-Up Funding Is “Not Sufficient”
The government’s multi-million pound support package to help pupils recover from Covid disruption has been labelled “not sufficient” by its own education recovery commissioner.
Andy Burnham Rejects Suggestion Government Could Decide Which Regions Can Re-Open Schools First
Coronavirus
Andy Burnham Rejects Suggestion Government Could Decide Which Regions Can Re-Open Schools First
The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has called on government to publish a date for when all schools can start to re-open rather than deciding on a regional basis.
Disadvantaged pupils are facing a perfect storm as they await their GCSE results — and it’s about more than coronavirus
Coronavirus
By Robert Halfon MP
Disadvantaged pupils are facing a perfect storm as they await their GCSE results — and it’s about more than coronavirus
Lockdown has only amplified existing inequalities in our education system. We need long-term, targeted solutions to tackle persistent disadvantage.
Gavin Williamson urged to sort out BTEC grades ‘as soon as possible’ as some are also affected by exam algorithm U-turn
Coronavirus
Gavin Williamson urged to sort out BTEC grades ‘as soon as possible’ as some are also affected by exam algorithm U-turn
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is being urged to ensure thousands of pupils get their revised BTEC results “as soon as possible” as it was confirmed that some of the career-based qualifications will be affected by a major U-turn on grading.
At a glance: The changes schools must make before they welcome back all pupils in September
Coronavirus
At a glance: The changes schools must make before they welcome back all pupils in September
The Government is asking schools reopen for all pupils full-time from the start of the autumn term, and have issued guidance on how they can make classrooms and campuses Covid-secure.
University challenge: the coronavirus funding crisis facing UK higher education
Coronavirus
By Georgina Bailey
University challenge: the coronavirus funding crisis facing UK higher education
Like many sectors, the UK’s higher education system faces unprecedented challenges as a result of the coronavirus crisis. With campuses emptying overnight, and incomes for the next academic year expected to drop significantly, the future looks highly uncertain. But can universities bounce back?
MP brands unions ‘utterly disgraceful’ as they insist schools cannot reopen in September with two-metre rule
Education
MP brands unions ‘utterly disgraceful’ as they insist schools cannot reopen in September with two-metre rule
Education unions were attacked by Conservative MPs as they warned that schools will likely be unable to reopen in September if the Government’s two-metre social distancing rule remains in place.
Supporting children at risk of hunger over the holidays should not be a one-off intervention
Coronavirus
By Christian Wakeford MP
Supporting children at risk of hunger over the holidays should not be a one-off intervention
The Government should build on this initial announcement and commit to funding free school food provision schemes for all children at risk of hunger, during every school holiday.
Coronavirus: Keir Starmer says it is ‘ridiculous’ that betting shops can reopen while schools stay shut
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: Keir Starmer says it is ‘ridiculous’ that betting shops can reopen while schools stay shut
Keir Starmer has said it is “ridiculous” that betting shops and theme parks are able to reopen next week while schools in England remain shut.
‘We need to educate our children again’ – inside the battle to re-open England’s schools
Coronavirus
By Georgina Bailey
‘We need to educate our children again’ – inside the battle to re-open England’s schools
Thousands of children will return to primary school today in the first phase of the Government’s plan to get all pupils back in the classroom before the summer holidays. But teaching unions say they have “deep concerns” and accuse ministers of ignoring the scientific evidence. Georgina Bailey reports on the Government’s attempt to get schools back up and running – and the clash with the teachers who fear it is too early
Skills, social justice, standards, and support for the teaching profession will be my priorities
Home affairs
Skills, social justice, standards, and support for the teaching profession will be my priorities

If I’m re-elected as chair I will continue to ensure the Education Committee has a significant role as an influencer of policy, writes Robert Halfon MP