I recently took part in a panel discussion at the School and Academies Show. The context for the session was the Government’s recent Schools White Paper, which was published in March 2022.
The discussion focused on what challenges schools and trusts face over the next decade and how they can start to work towards the 2030 targets. I have found myself contemplating the discussion a lot since and have shared some reflections below.
Will full academisation be achieved by 2030?
One of the key ambitions set out in the White Paper is that ‘All children will benefit from being taught in a family of schools, with their school in a strong multi academy trust or with plans to join or form one by 2030’. The panel started by considering whether this ambition would be achieved. It was noted that there has clearly been much political turmoil since March and it remains to be seen whether the new Sunak Government will commit to the White Paper in full or in part, or, given there will be an election by January 2025, what Labour would do were they to get into power.
