Academies, Politics

Schools bill rowback? Barran to ‘clarify position’ after Lords criticism

Minister's intervention suggests the government may be preparing to climb down on some of the more controversial measures

Minister's intervention suggests the government may be preparing to climb down on some of the more controversial measures

The government intends to “clarify” its school reform plans following widespread criticism of its landmark schools bill, the academies minister has said.

Baroness Barran told the House of Lords today that she was “acutely aware of the strength of feeling” about the draft law, over which the government has been accused of a power grab.

The legislation seeks sweeping new powers over schools and how they operate.

It would broaden the government’s power to remove academies from failing trusts and replace boards of trustees, and allow ministers to set standards about a very broad range of issues, such as governance, staff pay and the length of the school day.

But Barran’s intervention today suggests the government may be preparing to row back on some of the more controversial measures.

Last month, former education secretaries and ministers from across the political divide lined up to criticise the bill, and the criticism has only deepened during the current “committee” stage in the Lords.

The next stage is the report stage, which offers a further opportunity to debate and amend the bill. This is supposed to take place in July, before the summer recess.

Barran said today that peers “can be reassured that when we return to the bill at report stage, I will be able to clarify and confirm the government’s position having heard the views of the house at committee”.

“Any such statement will reflect the government’s position and will be subject to the usual processes of agreeing policy and will be shared ahead of report.”

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

Dream Big Day: Empowering Every Pupil to Imagine, Create, and Flourish

In today’s rapidly evolving world, educators face an immense challenge: How do we inspire young people to envision ambitious...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Reframing digital skills for the workforce of tomorrow

No longer just for those with a passion for technology: why digital skills matter

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace tackles harassment, misconduct and safeguarding concerns in schools 

In today’s education climate, where safeguarding, wellbeing and staff retention are under increasing scrutiny, the message is clear: schools...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Academies

More schools miss out as ‘lottery’ repair grants fall again

Just 35 per cent of schools that applied for condition improvement funding get cash

Jack Dyson
Academies

Biggest-ever academy trust merger given minister greenlight

Catholic mega MAT set to become second biggest in England as bosses eye September launch

Jack Dyson
Academies

New 25-school MAT on cards as Compass and Eko plan merger

Average academy trust size now surpasses five schools as smaller trusts merge

Freddie Whittaker
Academies

How academy trusts are ‘caught in a trap’ on school reserves

Most trusts say money has been built up to fund construction projects or to shield from financial uncertainties

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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