Help Shape an Education System Fit for the Future webinar
On 28 November 2023, we hosted an engaging webinar featuring the Foundation for Education Development (FED). We heard firsthand about FED’s proposals for a more inclusive, informed, and long-term approach to education policymaking. Parents from across the UK were invited to join to discuss these proposals, provide valuable feedback, and play a crucial role in shaping the education system for the benefit of all students.
Watch the webinar
Webinar panel
The Chair of the FED, Carl Ward, and FED Executive member, Jo Malone, shared the FED’s proposals for more inclusive, informed, long-term policy-making for education in England. The webinar was hosted by Parentkind’s Head of Parent Participation, Siân Lewis.
Carl is Chief Executive of the City Learning Trust; a 3 to 19 Academy Trust in Staffordshire. He is also Chair of the Foundation for Education Development (FED). He has regional, national and international experience in education strategy, leadership development and school to school improvement.
Jo is passionate about the transformative power of education and combatting inequalities across the system. She is an independent education consultant mainly working on education policy in the FED executive team. Jo has extensive global education experience, from her decade at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, as well as a solid understanding of the English education system.
For the FED Jo led the 2022 and 2023 national consultations and co-authored the subsequent reports. In addition, she leads the FED’s work on climate change & sustainability and its work with the OECD on Education for Human Flourishing.
Siân Lewis is Head of Parent Participation at Parentkind, the network of PTA fundraisers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Parentkind represent parent voice and champion the role of parents in education, working with schools, parents and policy makers to support every child to thrive and reach their potential. Siân’s focus, through a suite of training, tools, information, advice, surveys, partnerships and resources, is to support schools to embed effective parental participation and parents to be involved and engaged in education and school life.
What was discussed?
In breakout rooms, webinar participants discussed their thoughts on FED’s plans and the following captures the key consultation conclusions from these.
Long-term planning
What did participants think of having a shared long-term plan to guide the education system in England?
- Pros: A good idea so long as it is highly collaborative.
- Cons: What if we get hitched to a bad plan & we are committed for a long-time to it? This can be mitigated through strong governance.
- Considerations: We must build in opportunities for iteration. There is a huge amount of work to be done de-politicising education. How to make these plans robust — we have seen how fragile the system is in times of crises. The plan needs to speak to a narrative (purpose of education). Some crises are more urgent and need 12-month solutions.
Chief Education Officer
What did participants think of having a Chief Education Officer – a senior adviser to the government on all matters relating to education?
- Pros: Loved the idea of having a champion for education.
- Cons: None noted.
- Considerations: There is a lot riding on this role — it needs someone who is inspirational, has credibility and has strong leadership.
Council
What did participants think of an independent governing body to oversee the development and implementation of a plan, responsible for advising ministers?
- Pros: Independent oversight of the system is much needed.
- Cons: Ensure the plans we create are adaptable. What’s to stop this from becoming another quango? A political tool? Danger of it being sucked in to the wider bureaucracy of the DfE.
- Considerations: Members of the group will need a strong skill set and it needs variety of experience.
Assembly
What did participants think of a forum for widespread stakeholder involvement and input?
- Pros: We know large-scale consultations have worked well elsewhere — New Zealand and Singapore. Will give a voice to those often not well consulted — like parents.
- Cons: The NHS as an example? Some may argue this has not worked out so well — NHS currently in crisis. Are people willing to engage when there is such low trust in government?
- Considerations: There must be clear feedback channels.
Other points of note
- How do we bring people along with us when we might not see a return on investment for a few years?
- Might we consider some celeb endorsements to keep motivation and momentum high?
- How will all of the above be financially supported?
- Education is a low priority for politicians — how can we change this?
- What is coming on the horizon needs to be factored in, for example how AI will impact on education.
About FED
The FED is dedicated to the belief that long-term strategic education planning is vital to the success of the country and its people. In the spirit of collaboration, the FED provides an independent and neutral space for stakeholders to help shape the future of education.
In 2023, FED completed a 3‑year consultation about the English Education System, the biggest qualitative consultation ever undertaken on education in England. Read the National Education Consultation 2023 Report here.
In this report, you will find our analysis of the current situation and our proposals for how policymaking should change if we want an education system which is fit for the future, meets the needs of ALL learners and puts flourishing at the heart of the system.
