'Every child achieving and thriving': a shared responsibility

The long-awaited white paper ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ has landed.  There is a lot in it and it is not just another schools white paper.

Hundreds of pages are being considered right now by specialists across all our teams at Stone King. We are looking at issues ranging from flagship SEND policy reforms to changes in the governance of maintained schools, with the Government’s ambition that all will become part of a trust. If fully implemented, the white paper promises significant positive impacts, for learners, for families, for our communities and for the current and future workforce of the sector.

As we make our way through the detail, it is clear that this is not just a white paper for schools. The language of partnership working, collective responsibility and collective accountability is explicit. If the ambitions of the white paper are to be realised, it can only be as a shared endeavour. 

Each one of us has been a child, grown older and left school. The white paper sets out a vision for how every child will be better supported on that journey, and the recognition of colleges as critical in that process is welcome. 

Search for the word “college” and you will find it 41 times; “post-16” is mentioned 24 times. This white paper repeats commitments made in previous publications, including last year’s ‘Post-16 education and skills white paper’, which promised the introduction of a Youth Guarantee.  Announcements have been made which are designed to help attract and retain teachers and other professionals across both schools and colleges. There have been promises on capital funding, and the importance of enrichment to students’ lives – long a strength of the FE sector – is recognised. 

It is heartening to see existing good practice highlighted in a number of case studies, including one featuring our client Derby College Group. The college has designed an eight-step package that supports students with SEND from an initial assessment to enrolment as part of its standard admissions process. The college’s ongoing support and encouragement helps students to thrive and progress in their learning, setting them up with the skills they need to realise their full potential and enjoy life. 

Stories like this are playing out in our colleges all over the country, every day. Let’s celebrate that fact and use this latest white paper to ensure that all our colleges, as well as our schools, are properly supported in helping every child to achieve and thrive.