Our education publishing sector is world-class. For years, publishers have engaged learners at every age through compelling and evidence-informed content – from textbooks and apps, to lesson guides, and other curriculum materials. This rich range of creative and inclusive resources gives each teacher the ability to choose what and how they teach in their classrooms.
Freedom of choice is key for teachers when it comes to creatively planning and delivering lessons. They are the experts and know that no two learners are the same. Publishers are passionate about ensuring that the materials they create serve teachers’ diverse needs and result in the best outcomes for their pupils. This is a highly competitive market, and up to now that competition has been on a fair and level playing field.
Throughout the pandemic, publishers provided £43 million of free resources to help schools continue to deliver through lockdowns. They were avid supporters of Oak National Academy in this initial phase, and provided it with free content as they saw it as a laudable national endeavour. It is a shame then, that decisions taken by ministers from that point on have not taken the wider education sector along with Oak’s evolution.
