The publication of the Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, yesterday marks an important moment for the education system. It sets out an ambitious agenda for change, spanning curriculum, inclusion and SEND, teacher development and diversity in the profession, with proposals that will shape the experiences of children, families and teachers for years to come. As the professional body for teachers, we are committed to ensuring that the voice of educators is part of this national conversation.

Our CEO, Dame Alison Peacock, reflects on the White Paper’s ambitions and what they mean for schools and pupils:

“I welcome the White Paper’s aspirational vision of a broader education, one where all children are encouraged to achieve academically and to thrive as people, where pupils build strong foundations of knowledge and are active participants in their own learning. These things should always go hand in hand, and in the best schools they always have.

Inclusion is key to a flourishing education system. The needs and experiences of children and young people with SEND have become a battleground, with long-term impacts for pupils, their families and the staff in our schools. I welcome plans to focus support for schools and pupils in areas of greatest need. I’m pleased that the DfE will be working closely with all of those who are affected as they build and consult on wide-ranging proposals.

An effective strategy for inclusion and engagement depends on a profession empowered to make the best decisions for their pupils, and I welcome the focus on improving and extending teacher professional development, to supporting schools to share practice and learn from each other, and to providing evidence-led mentoring and better support for school leaders. Inclusive education also requires an inclusive profession, with support for global majority heritage teachers to progress, and challenge to schools and training providers to address bias and create inclusive environments. This needs policy that acknowledges the ways in which These are ambitious reforms, and I look forward to sharing the evidence and expertise that we have built at the Chartered College to help make this positive vision a reality.

We will be holding online roundtables to hear our members’ views of the White Paper. Please look out for more details in our newsletters.”