The Chartered College of Teaching has commented following the publication of the Schools White Paper.

The paper sets out the following amongst its plans for teaching and learning:

*Schools will offer a minimum school week of 32.5 hours by September 2023
*90% of primary school children to achieve the expected standard in Key Stage 2 reading, writing and maths by 2030
*National average GCSE grade in both English language and maths increase from 4.5 in 2019 to 5 by 2030
*500,000 teacher training and development opportunities by 2024
*Every school to have access to funded training for a senior mental health lead to deliver a whole-school approach to health and wellbeing

Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, commented:

“An ambitious coherent vision for the profession after years of pandemic upheaval is welcome. What remains to be seen is whether this paper will genuinely have a lasting, positive impact on a profession stretched to its limit with dwindling resources.

Education should be an ambitious journey where students at every stage can truly thrive. We want to see teachers in all phases able to work together with families to support students as they progress through their school life. The best way to achieve this is by empowering teachers and strengthening teacher agency, not by narrowing focus and introducing arbitrary phase-related targets.

We welcome the enhanced professional learning opportunities on offer. Schools are doing all they can to help their students succeed. Teachers deserve admiration and recognition across society for all that they have done and continue to do, in building the very best start in life for all our children and young people.” 

The Chartered College of Teaching previously looked at the research on extending the school day, finding that what appears to matter most is how the time is used rather than the quantity.