Councils across England will be required to agree specific targets for improving the number of children ready for school under new Government plans to be unveiled by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. The announcement comes as ministers tackle what Phillipson will describe as "a national scandal" at a Government regional improvement conference on Friday.
The Government has previously committed to ensuring 75% of school children are "school-ready" by 2028. Under the new proposals, all local authorities must work with Whitehall to establish tailored targets that could boost school readiness in their respective areas.
Tackling Basic Skills Gap
Officials have highlighted their concern about children starting school still wearing nappies or unable to hold a pencil properly. These fundamental skills gaps form part of the Government's broader strategy to address educational inequality from the earliest stages.
A new data tool focused on school readiness will be launched this autumn to help schools support children through their Reception year. The tool will be demonstrated at Friday's conference to showcase how it can assist educators in identifying and addressing early learning challenges.
"Background Still Means Destiny"
Phillipson is expected to deliver a stark assessment of educational inequality, telling school leaders: "How can there be a fair race to success in our society when whole groups of children start so far behind? Nearly half of the disadvantage gap at age 16 is already there by age 5."
The Education Secretary will add: "It breaks my heart that, for these children, here in our country, a quarter of the way through the 21st century, background still means destiny. It's a national scandal." She will also emphasise that parents bear responsibility for ensuring children arrive at school ready to learn, from their first day in Reception to their final day in Year 11.
Union Welcomes Focus But Warns
School leaders have welcomed the Government's attention to early years education but expressed caution about the implementation. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders' union, said: "We hope that today's announcement will be followed shortly with further information about the tangible actions government will take to ensure every young child and family gets the support they need."
Whiteman warned that "targets alone won't solve the problem, and targets must not become another stick to beat schools with". His comments reflect broader concerns within the education sector about accountability measures that may not address underlying systemic issues.
Teachers Doubt Government Timeline
Recent polling suggests significant scepticism about the Government's ability to meet its 2028 target. A survey of more than 2,500 primary school teachers in England conducted in May found that 80% do not believe the Government will achieve its goal of 75% of children being school-ready by 2028.
The poll results highlight the scale of the challenge facing ministers as they attempt to close the educational attainment gap that begins before children even enter formal education.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
