Nothing is changing right now
To change your school or trust's requirements, the new government will need to create and publish guidance and, in some cases, pass legislation. We'll let you know when that happens, but your school or trust doesn't need to make any changes to your policies and procedures yet (e.g. in response to Labour's policy pledges).
We'll keep you updated on any new requirements or guidance changes as and when they happen. Select 'save for later' at the top of our article on changes in education to be notified when we make these updates.
Labour's education pledges
The Labour party set out its proposals for education in its manifesto, mostly in the section 'Break down barriers to opportunity'.
Many of these were also included in the King's Speech for 2024, which promised a new 'children's wellbeing bill'.
Remember, even though the Labour party has been elected, these proposals are not guaranteed – reforms may happen very slowly or not at all, and nothing is changing immediately.
Pay, recruitment and retention
Labour has pledged to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers, get more teachers into 'shortage subjects' and support local areas that face recruitment challenges.
It will aim to retain teachers and leaders across the sector by:
- Updating the early career framework (ECF), maintaining its grounding in evidence
- Introducing a teacher training entitlement, to make sure teachers stay up to date on best practice
- Reviewing the way bursaries are allocated, as well as the structure of retention payments
- Improving leadership through a new mentoring framework
Labour has also said it will reinstate the school support staff negotiating body, to address recruitment and retention in support roles. This is likely to be included as part of a new employment rights bill.
Ofsted inspection reforms
The Labour party has proposed replacing single-word Ofsted inspections with report cards telling parents and carers clearly how schools are performing.
Additionally, it has announced plans to:
- Include multi-academy trusts (MATs) into the inspection system
- Introduce a new annual review of safeguarding, attendance and off-rolling
Labour has also announced plans for new regional support teams, who will work with schools in response to the areas for improvement identified in report cards. They'll be based on systems of peer-to-peer learning and best practice from other schools.
Pledges for curriculum review
The government plans to require all schools to teach the national curriculum.
This requirement will come after a review of curriculum and assessment – conducted by working with school staff, parents/carers and employers, which will include:
- Improving the quality of maths teaching across nurseries and primary schools
- Looking at the right balance of assessment methods, while protecting the role of exams
- Funding evidence-based early-language interventions in primary schools
- Supporting children to study a creative or vocational subject until they're 16
- Protecting time for PE
- Making sure schools address misogyny, and teach pupils about healthy relationships and consent
It has also pledged to guarantee 2 weeks' worth of work experience for every young person, and improve careers advice in schools and colleges.
The Labour party has also proposed a national music education network, with information on courses and classes for parents and carers, teachers and pupils.
Inclusion and mental health proposals
The Labour party plans to introduce a requirement that all schools co-operate with their LA on admissions, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) inclusion and place planning.
Other pledges include:
- Introducing a community-wide approach to improving SEND inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools
- Making sure special schools cater to those with the most complex needs
- Free breakfast clubs in every primary school
- Extending childcare by opening 3,000 primary school-based nurseries
- Introducing a supervised tooth-brushing scheme for 3 to 5 year-olds, focused in the areas with the highest needs
- Limiting the number of branded items of uniform that schools can require
Labour has also pledged to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, 'so every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate'.
It has also announced plans for 'young futures hubs' in communities, including open-access, drop-in mental health hubs for children and young people.
Qualified teacher status proposals
The Labour party plans to introduce a new requirement for every new teacher to hold (or be working towards) qualified teacher status (QTS).
This would change requirements for academies and independent schools, which currently don’t require teachers to hold QTS.
Other proposals include:
- Single unique identifier for children – this would improve data-sharing across public services
- Updated trade union legislation based around good faith negotiation – the government won't proceed with plans for minimum service levels in schools
- End VAT exemption for private schools – this would also end business rates relief for the schools affected, and Labour says it would invest the money into state schools
It's unclear what will happen to policies and guidance already under review
Prior to the election, the DfE had published draft guidance on:
- Relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) (currently under consultation, until 11 July)
- 'Gender questioning children' (consultation has closed, but the guidance is still in draft form)
No clear timeline for a response to pay deal recommendations
The government's response to the recommendations made by the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) – including the pay ranges for teachers and school leaders – won't be published by the end of the summer term. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has also said that indicative school funding allocations won’t be published “to the usual timescales”.
Staff might be worried or upset by this delay. Find out how your board can support staff wellbeing.
To be notified when the government does respond to the STRB's recommendations, select 'save for later' on our article on pay awards for teachers.