Andy Burnham has been appointed prime minister and in his first speech as Prime Minister, he spoke about the importance of ‘changing the education system’ – placing schools and skills reform at the heart of his government’s agenda.
While the detail of many policies is still to emerge, Burnham’s long-standing positions on technical education, devolution and inclusion provide key insights into what to expect.
For school and trust leaders, the key question is not simply what will change, but where the government's priorities are likely to focus over the coming months. Here, we examine some of the themes that are likely to define the new government’s education agenda and what they could mean for schools, academies and trusts.
Parity between technical education and more traditional academic paths, and changes in assessment
Burnham has long called for reform and prioritisation of technical education - during his 2015 Labour leadership bid, he called for "true parity between academic and vocational education". This has been a focus of his speeches in recent weeks and in a speech at the end of June, he said that “the days of a school system configured entirely around the university route will be brought to an end”.
To create this parity, we will likely see increased investment in vocational education. As Mayor, Burnham established the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) which focuses more on technical education, steering young people towards "career gateways" linked to areas of the local economy. It seems unlikely this would be pushed into a similar national qualification in its own right, as this would run contrary to last year's curriculum review and the government's response to its recommendations. But given his passion for it, Burnham may look to add new qualifications alongside the national curriculum and qualifications system.
The role of education to prepare young people for the world of work
Burnham has long spoken about the need for better links between education, the skills young people need to thrive, and the longer-term impacts of this on economic growth and productivity.
He said he took "very seriously" the recent Milburn review, that found schools to be too focused on exams rather than preparing young adults for the world of work, stating that the country needs "a complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed, and it has to start with the education system". He reaffirmed this in an "ask me anything" session held in Cardiff last week, talking about the need for a better balance between the academic and the technical. Many predict he will therefore follow the review's findings and recommendations closely.
To strengthen the link between education and work, Burnham may look at amplifying the voice of employers in education, improving careers guidance, or increasing the numbers placements and practical ways of giving young people experience of the world of work and of potential careers open to them.
Devolution as central to Burnham's politics, and the implications of this for education
Burnham has been a longstanding champion of devolution, and has previously spoken about wanting local authorities to have more of a say in education decisions. In his 2015 Labour leadership manifesto, Burnham said he would “restore a local role in overseeing schools, rejecting the growing market of free schools and academies”. In a speech at the end of June, he pledged greater devolution of education in London.
So we may see more powers devolved to regions and local authorities - although with areas like school funding and budgets, this is much easier said than done. It could be that a Burnham government looks instead to give local authorities more powers around school admissions. Mayors have just been given more power around admissions in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, including around academy admissions, so Burnham may look to make admissions policies even more regionally-focused.
Pupil wellbeing and mental health
Whilst he was Mayor of Greater Manchester, he introduced its annual "BeeWell" survey, designed to measure mental health and wellbeing among teenagers and giving stakeholders more opportunities to collaborate to improve mental wellbeing.
The White Paper earlier this year promised that children's sense of belonging and engagement would be monitored by the end of the decade, so this is an area where we could see progress.
Reaffirmed commitment to SEND
In June, Burnham stated his support to improving SEND provision, linked with his passion for vocational/technical education. He has said there is a lack of support for young people with SEND finding jobs after school, stating that if young people "find their needs are not met... they drift away from the labour market". His commitment to an educational system for everyone, and support of government efforts to improve inclusion and to have more children with SEND in mainstream schools.
What do we know about Lucy Powell, the new Secretary of State?
Lucy Powell previously served as shadow education secretary between 2015 and 2016 and was a member of the Commons Education Committee from 2017 to 2020.
She has previously spoken about the divide between academic and technical education pathways and worked when she was on the Education Committee on inquiries into apprenticeships, college funding and adult skills.
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