Code of Practice shelved

Department of Eduction has announced that a new code of practice for supplementary schools will not be released.

After 12 months of discussions with key players across the sector the DfE has said that establishing a code of practice suitable for all out-of-school-hours tuition, including private tuition centres, would be too complex. Did they also recognise that most of the classes provided by supplementary schools complement mainstream education and in many cases contribute directly to ‘narrowing the gap’ in achievement for children from economically disadvantaged families? It is to be hoped that they did – we certainly said so. See the John Lyon’s Charity report for evidence of this.

NRCSE and many of the local authorities that have worked with us over the last 8 years to develop and roll out the Quality Framework are well aware of the complexity of the sector. We know first hand how little money is available to supplementary schools and how much is done on a voluntary basis. We believe fundamentally in the importance of working positively with community organisations to encourage and support development and partnership. Of the 394 supplementary schools that have completed a Quality Framework Award since 2009, the vast majority have done it because they wanted to improve their management practices, enhance their ability to build partnerships with mainstream schools, share good practice with others and gain recognition for the dedication and skills of their teachers and other staff and volunteers.

Although we would all be overjoyed if funding were once more available to reward schools that complete the Quality Framework (and it still is in a few local authorities!) the Quality Framework is much more than a funding criteria. It is a developmental tool which has been designed by the sector itself to help supplementary school management committees put in place the governance and management procedures that enable communities to run safe and effective educational provision for children and young people.

The decision to shelf a code of practice with an emphasis on the possible teaching of intolerance is a relief because it lets us continue with positive and developmental support. A Quality Framework which recognises and supports parents and communities in their endeavour to enhance their young people’s knowledge of culture, mother-tongue, heritage language and/or faith, support their core-curriculum studies and exam success, build their self-esteem and confidence and contribute to the development of individuals who will achieve their full potential academically and in life.

Withdrawal of an unwelcome and misguided focus is a positive, but we must not allow it to make us complacent. As a sector we should respond by continuing and improving self-regulation to ensure children are well taught, in safe environments and in ways that enhance their mainstream lessons.

Make 2014-15 the year you achieve a Silver or a Gold Quality Framework Award! We want every single member of NRCSE to hold a Bronze Quality Framework Award, the first step is to complete the online self-assessment.

‘Anti-extremism’ school code shelved
www.bbc.co.uk
The Department for Education has shelved plans for a code of practice for some religious schools which operate outside of mainstream education, the BBC learns.