The much-anticipated Schools White Paper is the government’s plan to build a system that works for every child – setting young people up to “achieve and thrive” in an education landscape that must shift “from narrow to broad”.

A major Special Educational Needs and Disabilities reform consultation is at the heart of the White Paper including proposals for National Inclusion Standards by 2028 to better support SEND pupils consistently.

Taking forward the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the vision of the Schools White Paper is to deliver a knowledge-rich and broad curriculum that’s inclusive and innovative, and ensures all children are supported and stretched.  Curriculum reform will retain a strong core in English and maths, while promoting greater subject flexibility as pupils progress through secondary education.

Other areas covered in the White Paper include: 

• An enrichment entitlement for every child to guarantee access to arts, sport, civic engagement, outdoor learning and life skills aiming to ensure broad opportunities both within and beyond the curriculum 
• A pupil engagement framework to increase a sense of belonging  
• Improving attendance levels and the transition through each phase of education 
• Plans to recruit an additional 6,500 teachers and provide appropriate levels of training 
• Expecting all schools to join or form “high-quality” multi academy trusts 
• Encouraging breadth through the accountability system including reforming Key Stage 4 performance measures, expecting (on average) learners to leave school achieving a grade 5 or higher across their GCSEs, and halving the disadvantage gap.