The APPG was joined by Sarah Healey, Director of the Schools Resources Group, DfE, and Iain Wright MP, shadow Education Minister.
Sarah gave an overview of the Government’s intention that schools should have as much freedom in their spending as possible, highlighting how grants have been mainstreamed and how schools are able to use the pupil premium as they see best. DfE is also working to ensure that schools receive funding on the same basis.
Iain set out that schools should run themselves and do so as autonomous bodies but not islands. He encourages collaboration rather than competition.
The role of governors was also discussed, identifying the need to raise their status and ensure they had adequate support, as governors have a crucial place in raising standards. The point was raised that you can often tell a good school by the degree of transparency of all parties, and members agreed that a good governing body doesn’t just happen, it needs resources and support.
The Group then briefly looked at free schools, debating the positive effect of self-determination and the need to ensure that each child receives the equivalent support wherever they go to school. The meeting concluded on the statement that the free schools policy is idealistic but if it works it will find a way to inject new ideas, experience and energy into the system.