Addressing his union’s annual conference in Leeds, John Chowcat said government plans to expand academies and introduce new free schools are moving too "speedily".
"New types of school outside of the local authority family are being encouraged in England," he explained. "But without careful piloting or sufficient supporting evidence."
Chowcat questioned whether or not the introduction of a pupil premium would be enough to improve the life chances of the most vulnerable children, warning that the introduction of a more diverse schools system could entrench inequalities further, making it even harder to tackle disadvantage.
He added that government must continue to encourage joint working between schools and wider children’s services, since evidence strongly supports such an approach.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
