Big news this week

Jonathan Miller
Mar 16
4 min read

It has already been a busy week in education. A series of announcements, debates, and proposals have sparked discussion across the sector—from the introduction of new qualifications to major reforms of special educational needs provision.

For teachers, students, parents, and policymakers, these developments represent more than just headlines. They signal a potential reshaping of the education system in England over the next decade.

A New Direction: The Schools White Paper

We've touched on this previously but it's worth reiterating the government’s Schools White Paper, titled “Every Child Achieving and Thriving.” This policy document outlines the long-term vision for education reform in England and provides a blueprint for legislative changes over the coming years.

The White Paper aims to reshape the education system around three major priorities:

improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils
reforming support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
ensuring schools are inclusive environments where all children can succeed

The government has framed the reforms as an attempt to reduce the persistent “disadvantage gap”—the gap in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

The document also emphasises wellbeing, behaviour, and inclusion as key pillars of the future school system. The scale of the proposals means the document could shape education policy for the next decade.

The SEND Overhaul: A “Generational Reform”?

Perhaps the most significant—and controversial—part of the reforms concerns Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. The government argues that the current system is failing both families and schools. Demand for support has increased dramatically in recent years, and many local authorities face major financial pressures.

Under the new proposals:

schools will provide earlier support for pupils with additional needs
a new system of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) will replace some current SEN support arrangements
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be reserved for the most complex cases
mainstream schools will be expected to take on a larger role in supporting SEND pupils

The government hopes this will create “one education system rather than two parallel systems.”

Supporters argue that earlier intervention and better coordination could reduce the adversarial nature of the current system, where many families must fight for support.

Critics, however, fear the changes could weaken legal protections for children with complex needs. Some campaigners warn that the reforms could reduce the number of pupils eligible for the highest level of support in the future. As a result, the SEND proposals are likely to remain one of the most debated aspects of the reforms in the coming months.

V-Levels: A New Qualification for Post-16 Students

Another major story this week has been the announcement of V-levels, a new vocational qualification set to launch in 2027. These qualifications are intended to sit alongside A-levels and T-levels as part of a broader reform of the post-16 education system.

Key features of V-levels include:

equivalent in size to one A-level
focused on practical and vocational skills
designed to be studied alongside academic subjects
initial subjects expected to include digital, finance, and education

The goal is to create a more flexible post-16 system that allows students to mix academic and vocational study. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has argued that the reforms are designed to challenge what she describes as “academic snobbery” in the system.

If implemented successfully, V-levels could provide a middle ground between traditional academic courses and highly specialised technical qualifications like T-levels. However, the reforms may also mean the gradual replacement of many existing BTEC courses—something that has caused concern among some teachers and college leaders.

Social Media and Schools: The Debate Continues

Education policy also intersected with wider social issues this week, particularly around children’s online safety.

MPs debated a proposal that would have banned social media use for under-16s in the UK. Ultimately, the amendment was rejected by a significant majority in Parliament. Supporters of the ban argued that social media platforms are harming children’s mental health and exposing them to harmful content. However, critics warned that a blanket ban might push young people toward unregulated or hidden online spaces, potentially increasing risks rather than reducing them. Although the ban did not pass, the debate highlights a growing concern about technology’s impact on young people and schools.

The government is now exploring alternative measures such as:

stronger age verification systems
restrictions on addictive features such as autoplay
tighter controls on online platforms used by children

Schools may ultimately play a key role in implementing digital literacy and online safety education.

Financial Education in Schools

Another story gaining attention this week relates to financial literacy among young people.

Charities and financial organisations are urging the UK government to take part in the OECD’s international financial literacy assessment for teenagers. The argument is simple: without reliable data on financial knowledge, it is difficult to improve financial education policy.

Advocates want schools to place greater emphasis on real-life financial skills such as:

budgeting
saving
managing debt
understanding mortgages and pensions

Some of these topics are already scheduled to be included in England’s curriculum from 2028 as part of citizenship education. If the UK joins the international assessment programme, policymakers would gain valuable data on how well British students compare globally.

So... what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.