Introduction:
The coalition government has long been a source of varying political views and policy proposals. One topic that continually arises within the political arena is education. The coalition government education policy has evolved over the years, and this article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the key reforms, successes, and challenges faced by the policymakers.
Key Reforms:
1. Academy schools expansion: Under the coalition government, there has been a significant expansion in the number of academy schools, which operate independently from local authorities. This reform aims to provide schools with greater autonomy and responsibility for their educational outcomes and budget management.
2. Introduction of free schools: A key feature of the coalition government’s education policy is the emergence of free schools. These are new, state-funded schools founded by parents, teachers, businesses, or charities who believe they can offer something different from existing options in their community.
3. School funding reforms: The coalition has made various changes to school funding policies with an emphasis on equitable distribution. Funding is now channeled through a pupil premium, which targets extra resources towards disadvantaged students.
4. New curriculum and examination systems: The government introduced a new national curriculum in 2014 with a strong focus on knowledge-based learning. Additionally, they reformed the examination system to include linear A Levels and a new grading system for GCSEs.
Successes:
1. Improved attainment rates: As a result of the policy changes made by the coalition government, there has been an overall improvement in attainment levels among students throughout all stages of education.
2. Easier access to good quality schools: With more academy schools and free schools within communities, parents have increased choices when selecting institutions for their children’s education.
3. Targeting disadvantaged pupils: The introduction of the pupil premium has helped direct additional resources towards disadvantaged pupils to bridge achievement gaps between various socio-economic groups.
Challenges:
1. Balancing localism and centralization: Critics argue that the coalition government’s policies, such as the expansion of academies, directly challenge the balance between local control and national oversight in public education.
2. Teacher workload: Many educators have raised concerns about increased workload, brought about by the implementation of new curriculum standards and assessment frameworks.
3. Inequality between schools: Though funding reforms have aimed to create equitable resource allocation, critics argue that disparities still exist, with children from wealthier areas often attending better-resourced schools.
Conclusion:
The coalition government education policy has witnessed numerous groundbreaking reforms across the education sector. While there have been improvements in attainment rates and access to good quality schools, challenges surrounding local control, workload, and inequalities persist. However, with continuous evaluation and effort from relevant stakeholders, the coalition government is striving towards an education system that equips students with the skillset necessary to succeed.
