Schools Bill is announced during Queen's Speech

At the state opening of parliament, Prince Charles, standing in for the Queen, announced the introduction of the Schools Bill which is designed to “help every child fulfil their potential wherever they live” and “raise standards and improve the quality of schools and higher education”.

 Among the key priorities for government unveiled during the Queen’s Speech were education reforms including a crackdown on absences and new rules allowing councils to run multi-academy trusts.

 Key measures included in the bill are the creation of an elective home education register and increasing Ofsted’s powers to crack down on unregistered schools.

 The Schools Bill also lays out plans to encourage all schools to become academies by 2030 and gives local authorities the ability to run multi-academy trusts.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education said: “This announcement is great news for all involved in the wider education community and all those who are involved in ensuring children can reach their full potential.  

The Schools Bill is a great step forward in ensuring all children are able to access a high quality level of education, and improving options for learning as we look into the future. This announcement is very encouraging but it will not alter the great work that our headteachers, governors, schools, parents and local authority staff will continue to do to ensure the county receives the level of funding it needs going forward in the long-term.  One of the council’s key priorities for a number of years now, has been to improve the quality of education, help and support for all children and young people across the county.”

Significant financial pressures within Education continues to be a nationwide issue that the majority of local authorities including Worcestershire are experiencing.

The County Council has, for a number of years, been a key member of the F40 Group which represents the lowest funded local authorities.

The Council continues to take an extremely active part in the group's work being represented on the Executive Committee.