The Guardian view on schools: Send reforms aside, the government's white paper lacks focus | Editorial

"Bridget Phillipson's policy of in-sourcing special provision, creating a new tier of support and making mainstream settings more inclusive, is the centrepiece of a broader agenda that also requires scrutiny. All schools in future will have to join multi-academy trusts, including a new kind of trust established by councils."

"The emphasis on teacher training and recruitment, and recognition of staffing challenges in disadvantaged areas, are welcome. So is tighter scrutiny of trusts, including executive pay. But it is far from obvious that compelling all schools to join trusts will bring about improvement as opposed to disruption."

"Levelling up education has always been Ms Phillipson's strongest theme. As a Sunderland MP, she has a special interest in boosting outcomes among working-class pupils who lag behind. Rightly, she and her colleagues recognise that this challenge goes beyond schools. They want to rebuild the local services, including youth clubs, children's centres and grassroots sports facilities, that were dismantled under austerity."

The schools white paper presents extensive reforms centered on special educational needs and disabilities provision, with plans to in-source support and enhance mainstream inclusion. All schools must join multi-academy trusts, including new council-established trusts. The government aims to narrow attainment gaps between wealthy and poor pupils through new regional projects, revised disadvantage funding allocation, and financial incentives for heads in challenging schools. Additional measures include stronger academy trust oversight and flexible working arrangements. While teacher training emphasis and staffing support for disadvantaged areas are welcomed, mandatory trust membership's effectiveness remains uncertain. The broader agenda recognizes that educational improvement requires rebuilding local services like youth clubs and sports facilities dismantled during austerity, creating more enriching communities for young people.

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