We now know that a briefing is due next week by Gavin Williamson on catch-up provision for schools.
We urge that any plans created address inequalities, are co-created with the sector, and have an approach that is evidence-based, needs-based and long term. We also believe that schools and colleges should receive extra funding so that they can provide tailored support depending on their distinct needs. We have already written to Gavin Williamson in an Open Letter asking for this - but we also think it is critical that our full message (below) is shared.
Educational disadvantage and systemic inequality is not a new issue, but the implications of Covid-19 have worsened the situation and made it much more visible. The media focus on these issues in the last few weeks is testament to that. As the public see more clearly the inequalities in our system, now is the time for the government and society to act.
We, the Fair Education Alliance, are clear that health risk should determine when and how schools go back, and that children and teachers should return only when it is safe to do so. However, long before Covid-19, our Alliance has been calling for a long-term, cross-society vision and strategy for how we create a fairer education system to enable all children to succeed.
Although there is uncertainty about when schools will go back and in what form, the needs of children and young people must be a priority. This means tailored support for academic, wellbeing and skills development for their lives whilst at and after school. Whether fully ‘open’ or not, schools and colleges still play a key role in frontline support for young people. This is why we’re calling for the government to co-create a long-term plan with the sector which should include:
Additional funding for schools and colleges to use to support the most disadvantaged in both the short and long term
National Tutoring Service as a means to support academic progress, as well as explicit support to ensure pupil wellbeing
Concrete measures to address the digital divide so all young people can access digital learning
As always, if you want to include anything in an upcoming bulletin, or have any thoughts on the above please don't hesitate to get in touch here.
Fair Education Alliance news and events
FEA Oracy Roundtable (Tuesday 16th June, 2.00-3.30pm)
In this Roundtable, using the Fair Education Alliance campaign goals we'll be exploring:
The value and impact of oracy in tackling the disadvantage gap, supporting the wellbeing of students and improving employability, particularly in light of the impact of school closures
Why our education system is not sufficiently prioritising these fundamental skills
What recommendations can be made to government, policy-makers, educational bodies and school leaders
Evidence gathered from this session will input directly into the Speak for Change Parliamentary Inquiry which is seeking to ensure every child has the opportunity to develop their speaking skills in school. Please join us and have your say.
Whole School Approaches to Wellbeing Working Group (Monday 6th July, 2.00 - 3.30pm)
The purpose of this group is to develop and take forward the Fair Education Alliances recommendations on whole school approaches to wellbeing across the education system (see pages 7-9 in the overall campaign, linked here). Please RSVP here.
Next Overarching Campaign Working Group (Thursday 9th July, 11.00am-12.00pm)
The inequalities and disadvantage gap which prompted our collective campaign have only been exacerbated and exposed by Covid-19. At the same time this crisis is a moment of opportunity for change and has shown what change is possible at speed and in an emergency. Please find the notes from the last meeting here and email Lauren to RSVP to the next session.
Solidarity against systemic structures of racism
Some key resources shared by Lamide, co-founder of LIVE. (We shared more about LIVE in our previous bulletin which you can see here.)
👉 How to actively be anti-racist - This booklet was put together in light of recent racist events and in recognition of the events that we don't and will likely never know about. Read more here.
👉 Some of the ways you can support the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK. Linked here.
👉 Black People Need Stronger White Allies — Here’s How You Can Be One by Stephanie Long. Linked here.
Every Thursday from 3pm - 4pm, we host a virtual meeting for FEA members to connect, hear developments from across the sector, share organisational updates and foster our relationships even during these unusual circumstances.
This week we provided an open space to talk about race. A big thank you to Will (Power2), Mayur (The Career Accelerator), Leo (Action Tutoring) and Alice (Tutor Trust) for the discussion and for being so open in your sharing.
Some key questions that came out of this call:
How can we ensure diversity and inclusion in our recruitment of staff and volunteers?
How can the charity sector be more open to Black and BAME entrepreneurs?
Key takeaways:
Provide an open space for staff to share their views and ideas. This includes creating and maintaining a safe space for discussion, ideas and challenges within the team.
We need to be mindful that startup charities and social enterprises often don't have the money or capacity to hire a diversity chief officer like private businesses do, which hurts diversity and inclusion. We therefore need to think of diversity and inclusion within the context of economic circumstances.
The point was raised on the concept of "Oppression Olympics". We need to be mindful of the diversity and intersectionality of disadvantage, and support each other's causes rather than pit groups against each other.
Diversity groups/steering groups are good however they need to be backed up by senior leaders/sponsors (have money/influence).
News from across the Alliance
We, the Fair Education Alliance, exist to fight inequality together. Inequality in society and education is a patchwork of disadvantage – including socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, gender, LGBTQ+ and geographic factors – that makes up the fabric of an unfair system.
Below are some great examples of work being done to tackle these inequalities, both from the alliance and beyond.
👉 Place2be are now offering schools the opportunity to book consultation sessions with their expert clinicians. Find out more information here.
👉 Nick Bent from The Tutor Trust spoke on BBC Radio about how whilst the health risk continues to impact education, the disadvantage gap continues to widen and calls for action to support disadvantaged young people. Listen here (from 44 minutes)
👉 The Learning and Work Institute released a report today which shows that the rise in unemployment has been the sharpest ever seen. One in three working age adults are now either unemployed, furloughed, or supported through the self-employment income support scheme. Read more here.
👉 This report is based on findings from a national survey of 1,233 senior leaders in publicly-funded, mainstream primary and secondary schools in England. Responses between 7th and 17th May have been weighted by phase and free school meal (FSM) eligibility to provide a nationally representative picture. Read the full report here.
Unifrog release a report on the effects of COVID-19 on students' wellbeing and next steps
👉 This report analyses 2,500 student survey responses and the Unifrog platform behaviour of over three quarters of a million students to investigate the immediate impact of the crisis. With expert input from the Department for Education, Sir John Holman, and organisations including WhiteHat, Positive Group and Causeway Education, the report provides essential actions for teachers and advisers. Read the full report here.
👉 To support pupils currently making choices about their future during the Covid-19 lockdown (especially years 11-13), The Careers & Enterprise Company has developed a series of career talks called ‘Work It’.These short videos, published weekly, connect young people with stories from slightly older peers who have recently made the transition from education to the workplace. They feature a diverse range voices reflecting the variety of options available to young people in schools and colleges across England. Find out more here.
LSE release a report on COVID-19 and Social Mobility
👉The new report – Covid-19 and Social Mobility, published by LSE points out that before the crisis, younger generations were already facing declining ‘absolute mobility’. Now that the crisis has drastically worsened economic and education inequality, young people are even less likely to fare better than past generations, less likely to climb the income ladder and less likely to fulfil their potential regardless of their background. But, rebuilding after the pandemic also offers an opportunity to give serious consideration to radical policies that will create a more mobile society and a better functioning economy. Read the full report here.
Ask and offers of support
If you haven't already, please fill out this short form with an ask for support (e.g. technical expertise, promotion, etc) or an offer of support (e.g. volunteers, expertise, supplies, etc). We will share responses with FEA members and broker relevant introductions.
Collaborative opportunities and practical advice on creating an online delivery mechanism
👉 The Children's Literacy Charity work with disadvantaged children in schools and in the community providing an expert, one-to-one, tailored literacy intervention. Due to Covid-19 and school closures, they have found ourselves facing two uncomfortable realities: firstly, those children who are most disadvantaged will fall even further behind and secondly, with increasing economic uncertainty, they may not have the funding to provide their service at the moment when it is most needed.
They are therefore looking for:
- Support or collaborative opportunities to expand the scope of their services.
- Practical advice in creating an online delivery mechanism.
Contact Alex here if you can help / for further information.
The Government announces new Coronavirus Community Support Fund
👉 This new funding stream will make £200m in Government funding available for small to medium organisations in England to increase community support to vulnerable people and reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises. Read more here.
We are inspired by the action that you have taken during this time and are grateful for your dedication. If there is anything else we can do to support you, please let us know.