The recent General Election in July 2024 brought a seismic shift in the political landscape, with the Labour Party securing a landslide victory. This monumental win comes with a bold and comprehensive manifesto that promises significant changes across various sectors, with education being a central focus. At Gold Education Recruitment, we understand how vital it is for educational staff to understand these changes, as they will profoundly impact schools, teachers, and ultimately, the future of our children.
A surge in educational recruitment
One of Labour’s flagship education policies is the recruitment of 6,500 new teachers in key subjects. This initiative is set to address the chronic teacher shortages that have plagued schools for years, and one of the key reasons we do our job – with a mission to get the right teachers back into education settings that need them. The recruitment surge will be funded by ending tax breaks for private schools, a move that signifies Labour's commitment to redistributing resources to strengthen state education, and a want to prepare children for life, work and the future. Labour have pledged to end the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools to invest in our state schools.
This policy is particularly crucial for addressing gaps in subjects that have historically struggled with teacher shortages, such as mathematics, science and modern languages.
As well as looking to recruit more teachers in the coming years, Labour have committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, so every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate. They have also pledged to reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, with the aim to help address the acute recruitment and retention issues for School Support staff. At Gold Education Recruitment we see the essential role school support staff play in a child’s education and development and are pleased to see they haven’t been forgotten in Labour’s manifesto.
“The factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education is high-quality teaching; but there are shortages of qualified teachers across the country. Labour will recruit an additional 6,500 new expert teachers. We will get more teachers into shortage subjects, support areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackle retention issues. The way bursaries are allocated, and the structure of retention payments, will be reviewed.”
Labour's plans to break down barriers to opportunity
Labour’s manifesto emphasises the need to dismantle the “class ceiling” that hinders the ambitions of young people in Britain. This vision includes comprehensive reforms to childcare and education systems aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background.
The introduction of 3,000 new primary school-based nurseries is a significant step towards providing early years education to more children. Additionally, the provision of free breakfast clubs in every primary school is designed to ensure that all children start their day ready to learn, without the hindrance of hunger. These initiatives will require additional staff and resources, highlighting the importance of robust recruitment and training programs.
Labour's manifesto also includes measures to make education more inclusive and affordable- breaking down barriers to education and opportunity. This includes limiting the number of branded uniform and PE kit items that schools can require, reducing the financial burden on families, and taking a community-wide approach, improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.
Additionally, Labour plans to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, ensuring early support for students facing mental health challenges.
“Every child should believe that success belongs to them. Education has so often been the spark that can light a fire within, transforming life chances. It is time to light that fire for the whole country.”
Enhancing professional development for teachers
Recognising that high-quality teaching is the most influential factor in a child's education, Labour plans to introduce a new Teacher Training Entitlement. This will ensure that teachers have ongoing access to professional development, staying updated on best practices and innovative teaching methods. This commitment to continuous professional growth is set to enhance the quality of education and support teacher retention.
Curriculum revisions
Labour’s July 2024 manifesto, titled “Change,” also highlights many wants to revise the current curriculum, with a particular want for a “modern curriculum so young people are ready for work and life.”
The manifesto highlights the importance of early education, particularly in enhancing numeracy skills. Building on the success of the previous Labour government’s promotion of phonics, the new administration aims to improve the quality of maths teaching across nurseries and primary schools. This will involve funding evidence-based early-language interventions to help every child develop strong communication skills, “so that every child can find their voice.”
The focus on early education requires a strategic approach to recruiting teachers who are not only qualified but also passionate about early years teaching. Ensuring that these educators are equipped with the latest teaching strategies and resources will be crucial for the successful implementation of this policy.
Additionally, Labour have pledged to support children to study a creative or vocational subject until they are 16, and ensure accountability measures reflect this.
“Labour will transform our education system so that young people get the opportunities they deserve.”
Leadership and school improvement
Labour plans to create a new Excellence in Leadership Programme, a mentoring framework that expands the capacity of headteachers and leaders to improve their schools. This will be complemented by the introduction of Regional Improvement Teams to enhance school-to-school support and spread best practices.
As well as looking internally in schools, Labour is looking to review the school inspection process to support school improvement. They have pledged to enhance the inspection regime by replacing a single headline grade with a new report card system telling parents clearly how schools are performing.
“Our reforms will build on the hard work of teachers who have brought their subjects alive with knowledge-rich syllabuses, to deliver a curriculum which is rich and broad, inclusive, and innovative. To capture this breadth, our review will consider the right balance of assessment methods whilst protecting the important role of examinations.”
What’s next?
Labour's victory in the 2024 General Election marks the beginning of a transformative era for our education system. The ambitious policies outlined in their manifesto promise to address long-standing issues such as teacher shortages, educational inequality, and the need for continuous professional development. By aligning recruitment strategies with Labour’s vision, we can contribute to creating an education system that truly offers every child the opportunities they deserve.
If you are looking for a new opportunity in education in Essex, Hertfordshire, Sussex or Cambridgeshire, contact our team today, or visit our Jobs Board for the latest vacancies.
Information Source: Please note information included in this article are correct as of 7th July 2024, and taken from “Change: Labour Party Manifesto 2024.”
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