Education Secretary Vows to Address Inequality in Schools

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has expressed her commitment to dismantling barriers that hinder educational success for children, particularly those from the North East of England. In an exclusive piece for the Mirror, she highlighted the stark disparities in academic performance between regions, noting an 8.3 percentage point gap in A* and A grades between the South East and North East. Phillipson, who grew up in a council house and benefited from supportive family and teachers, emphasized that a child's background should not dictate their opportunities. Phillipson criticized the current educational landscape, which she claims has been shaped by 14 years of Conservative governance, resulting in entrenched inequalities. She pointed out that private school students consistently outperform their state school counterparts, a situation she deems unacceptable. To combat these issues, she has launched a review of the curriculum and is co-chairing the government’s Child Poverty Taskforce, aiming to introduce free breakfast clubs in primary schools to ensure all children start their day ready to learn. Addressing concerns about financial barriers to higher education, Phillipson did not dismiss the possibility of reinstating maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, which were cut in 2016. She acknowledged the significant challenge of reversing the educational inequalities established by the previous government, particularly the regional disparities and the divide between state and private school outcomes. In response to these challenges, educational leaders have called for a national strategy to alleviate child poverty, which they argue directly impacts students' readiness to learn. Meanwhile, discussions continue regarding the future of the English baccalaureate, as its introduction has coincided with a decline in A-level entries in creative arts and technology subjects.