This online conference will examine next steps for raising attainment and standards in England’s primary and secondary schools, including strategies for narrowing attainment gaps and improving outcomes across diverse learner groups, alongside tackling inequalities.

With the recently published GCSE results indicating a decrease in pass rates alongside a rise in those having to undertake resits for maths and English, as well as both the recent A-level and GCSE results raising concerns around regional inequalities in attainment in England, attendees will consider steps needed to be taken by government ahead of the expected publication of a Schools White Paper this autumn.

Sessions will examine implementation and likely effectiveness of Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence teams by the Department for Education, which aim to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, and their role in supporting schools through targeted, evidence-informed intervention, as well as priorities for delivering sustained, tailored support focused on driving up standards in local contexts. Discussion will also consider the impact of the introduction of Ofsted report cards on supporting transparency, accountability, and improvement across schools and colleges.

Attendees will consider the impact of social factors on aims to raise attainment and educational standards, including best practice examples of tackling education disparities in marginalised groups, and challenges posed by wider concerns over living costs.