Manifesto 2024

Five ambitions to improve childhood – from children themselves

Here are my education-specific policy priorities informed by the voices of over one million children

Here are my education-specific policy priorities informed by the voices of over one million children

3 May 2024, 5:00

When I took office as Children’s Commissioner, I made it my mission to listen to children. The Big Ask gathered responses from over 500,000 children about what is important to them. Now, The Big Ambition survey means my work is backed by more than one million children’s voices.

The Big Ambition sets out a vision for transforming childhood which has come directly from them. Mostly, it is brimming with their practical, positive ideas and solutions, hopeful for change and confident that it can happen. However, some (including the 14,000 with a social worker) were consistently less positive.

Perhaps the most striking finding is that only one in five children (22 per cent) feels listened to by those who run the country. As a former headteacher and teacher, this is really frustrating.

That’s my challenge to all politicians as we approach a general election: listen to what children are telling you they want, and act on it.

Here are five key education-focused areas from The Big Ambition to tackle urgently:

A brilliant education

Children deeply value their education. Sixty per cent say they enjoy school or college. However, too many miss out because they lack the support they need to engage and attend. That’s why I want to see:

  1. Schools and local authorities held to account for the outcomes of children who leave their school rolls;
  2. Attendance mentors working across multi-academy trusts and local authorities providing whole-family support to remove barriers to attendance;
  3. Alternative Provision as an outreach intervention, with schools remaining accountable for the children they move into these settings; and
  4. A register of children not in school, so that we have a proper grip on where children are and stop any from missing out completely.

Better support for SEND

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were less likely to say they enjoy school or have access to good healthcare than children without SEND. We need a quicker pace of change for these children, who are spending too much of their childhoods waiting for support. I have recommended:

  1. That no child should wait longer than one term for a local authority needs assessment, and that a reformed ‘Child’s Plan’ should give them and their families clarity and confidence in the support they receive;
  2. Support services delivered on school sites;
  3. Statutory SEND support, with additional funding sitting separately from a school’s high-needs budget; and
  4. Ongoing training in supporting SEND throughout teachers’ careers.

Healthy minds and bodies

Most children (84 per cent) agree they can access good healthcare when they need it. However, older children answered health and wellbeing questions more negatively. That’s why I’ve recommended:

  1. A school nurse in every school working hand-in-hand with youth workers, paediatricians and other healthcare professionals;
  2. New restrictions on vapes so they are not intentionally marketed to children;
  3. Mental health services collocated in every school so that help is available earlier; and
  4. Schools are empowered to tackle and discuss emerging topics such as misogyny or sexual harassment.

Tackling child poverty

Children are becoming increasingly aware of and affected by their parents’ stresses, especially related to work and the cost of living. The 6 per cent of children who told me they were not happy with their family life were nine times more likely to be unhappy with their life overall. That’s why I want to see:

  1. All eligible children auto-enrolled in free school meals; and
  2. Breakfast clubs offered at every school, free of charge to parents.

Successful careers and life skills

Children are ambitious and are vocal about the kinds of skills they feel they are missing; just 65 per cent of respondents agree children know about good jobs for when they’re older. The education system needs to be better preparing them for adulthood. That’s why I’ve recommended: 

  1. High-quality PSHE to include life skills such as financial education, economic wellbeing and career planning;
  2. Ofsted should hold schools to account for the quality of their PSHE lessons; and 
  3. High-quality careers advice for every child.

Read the full detail of these recommendations and more here

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Navigating NPQ Funding Cuts: An Apprenticeship Success Story

Last year’s NPQ funding cuts meant that half of England’s teachers faced costs of up to £4,000 to complete...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Embedding Formative Assessment: not just a box-ticking exercise but something long-term and meaningful for all

Our EFA programme has been proven to help schools achieve better GCSE results, as evidenced by the EEF. Find...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building capacity in family support to tackle low school attendance 

Persistent and severe school absence impacts children, families, and communities—especially in disadvantaged areas. School-Home Support’s Attendance Support and Development Programme...

SWAdvertorial

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *