The EPI, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, has published a summary of the best evidence on current education challenges and effective policy interventions to assist political parties in drawing up their manifesto pledges on education.
It says that ‘following disruption from the pandemic and over a decade of austerity, the education system in this country faces a number of challenges in the years ahead.
‘But, with a general election anticipated next year, there is a risk education will not secure the profile it requires given wider economic issues and demands on public services.’
Recommendations
Along with simplifying funding, it also recommends an early years strategy be published and implemented to create a sustainable model for providers, which is also affordable for families, including rolling out the family hub model in England.
With the school system and school funding, the EPI recommends:
- Tackling widening gaps in pupil attainment between vulnerable learners and their peers.
- Clarifying the role of local authorities within the now predominantly academised school system.
- Increasing per pupil funding, ensuring capital expenditure is sufficient to maintain and improve the school estate, and better supporting schools to deliver their wider roles, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
- Ensuring funding is targeted at closing the disadvantage gap, through increasing the
And in relation to the education workforce it suggests:
- Establishing greater parity between teacher pay and salaries found in competitor occupations.
- Supporting retention through a focus on improving teacher wellbeing, workload and flexible working arrangements.
Following the publication of party manifestos, the EPI says it will publish further analysis examining whether education pledges are likely to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities, and what the likely cost might be.
'It is clear there is much to do to get education back on track'.
Jon Andrews, head of analysis at the Education Policy Institute (EPI), said, ‘Whatever the outcome of the next election, it is clear there is much to do to get education back on track following a hugely disruptive pandemic and a decade dominated by funding cuts.
‘A focus on the early years, greater funding that is targeted at those most in need, and a plan to ease the recruitment and retention challenges facing schools must form cornerstones of any new government’s education strategy.’
The NDNA backed the EPI’s call to ‘simplify’ the funding system, including removing the ‘complexities’ around what parents are entitled to and how to claim. It also said that a ‘long-term strategy and clear workforce plan’ is essential in order to creates a ‘sustainable early years education model.’
The Early Years Alliance said it is ‘absolutely right for the EPI to call for a focus on simplifying funding’, however warned that ‘regardless of which political party is in government next, any early years reform plans must not put further strain on a workforce that is already teetering on the brink.’