End of Year Report for Michael Gove and the DfE

End of 2010 year School Report on Michael Gove and the DfE:

What a truly amazing year!

We often say that a year is a long time in education - well, if we compare where we are now at Christmas 2010, then seven months have changed the educational landscape for children, schools and school leaders. The new Government has learned from Tony Blair's published experiences of not using his first 100 days to get reform going. What can we deduce from the changes so far?

Autonomy 4 out of 5
The call for freedom has led to structural change that is enabling those schools and school leaders who wish to take control of their own decision-making through converter Academies to do so.
The free school approach is potentially more divisive and will often have a negative effect upon existing schools.

Accountability 1 out of 5
We are pleased to have an independent enquiry into SATs, but it all depends upon the outcome and the Government's response. The White Paper proposals for a high-stakes Reading test - and it's a 'phonics' test not a 'reading' test - for 6 year olds, and an English Bacc are signs that again the curriculum is going to be distorted for thousands of children on a poor evidence base and in opposition to professional judgment. Inspection should become fairer and encompass support. We fully accept accountability, but the system must improve.
We need to clarify the differences between transparency and accountability, understanding the
grey areas.

Engagement 4 out of 5
The DfE is talking with school leaders. Announcements though still come out of the blue - too many details announced through the press rather than direct to the profession.

Austerity 3 out of 5
The headlines suggested that school budgets were largely being protected. This was positive, but beneath the headlines many schools will struggle with funding. Early intervention and sixth forms are under particular pressure. The Pupil Premium level at an initial £430 per fsm pupil was disappointing and will not cover the costs of for example, a reading recovery teacher. Let's hope this substantially improves. Most quangos will not be missed, but the need for sports, the 'Every Child ......' infrastructure, music (subject to the Henley Report) and a lack of innovation (and virtual absence from the White Paper) with ICT, stand out.

12 out of 20 - a promising start could be tarnished by a return to ideological rather than educational thinking.   

Looking forward to 2011
A few priorities:
The end of SATs as we know them. Let us compete with world-class systems such as Finland on a level playing field (no external assessments until 18).
The creation of an effective system of KS2 moderated teacher assessment (including KS3 teachers). Must remember to hold schools accountable for results not methods.
Create confidence in schools to use their freedoms
A restructuring of LAs: now clarify a positive role 
Reconsideration of the effects of a reading test for 6 year olds, and an
English Bacc 
Wales moving towards equality of funding 
Northern Ireland moving towards educational engagement
Raising the Pupil Premium, and look forward to debate on national funding formula
We need to address exclusions
A fairer Inspection system.

We would then have a world-class DfE (and schools).

Michael Gove is a positive politician. I hope he understands that these classroom priorities are genuine and necessary. He should be careful of siren voices in the playground which could lead to much frustration and distraction in class.