I welcome that The Queen's Speech announced that the Schools Bill will be introduced, to underpin the Government's ambition for every child to receive a world-class education, no matter where in the country they live.
The Bill will establish 'children not in school' registers and create a duty on local authorities to provide support to home educating families. It will provide accurate data to help identify children who are not receiving a safe or suitable full-time education. Further, it will support schools to become part of a family of schools in a strong trust to level up school standards. This will support the ambition that by 2030, 90 per cent of primary school children will achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.
I am glad that it will also implement a direct National Funding Formula, so that each mainstream school will be allocated funding on the same basis, wherever it is in the country. It will mean that every child will be given the same opportunities, based on a consistent assessment of their needs.
I can assure you that this Bill will level up opportunities for children across the country, by delivering a stronger and more highly performing school system that works for every child.