The government has confirmed the following announcements:
Lord Agnew as Minister for the School System, taking on responsibility for the further education provider market, including quality and improvement. He will also lead on EU exit preparation, delivery of the Careers Strategy, the Opportunity Areas programme, school food and safeguarding in schools and post-16 settings. The DfE have confirmed that the ‘quality and improvement’ aspect of the role will include a new financial modelling programme as well as the college intervention regime.
Michelle Donelan as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, taking on responsibility for children’s social care, special educational needs and disabilities, including high needs funding, disadvantage and social mobility and support for the home learning environment. She will also continue to support the Secretary of State in his role as skills lead, including on the delivery of T-Levels, apprenticeships and adult education.
Minister of State for School Standards Nick Gibb will take on policy for early education and childcare including funding, support for the early years workforce, curriculum, quality and the early education entitlements. He will also add responsibility for PE and school sport and the Pupil Premium to his existing portfolio.
Chris Skidmore returns as joint Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
Some sector comment on the announcements can be read here.