Commenting on an announcement by the government of ‘major new reforms’ to improve education and skills in ‘Education Investment Areas' in order to 'level up the nation', Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union, said:

“The significant and additional challenges that schools in some parts of the country face are undeniable. Those schools and the pupils they serve certainly deserve extra support. Sadly, this announcement appears to fall short of what those schools and communities really need.
 
“What is needed is not another set of arbitrary targets, but a proper plan to ensure that every child has the very best start to life. This should include targeted support for the Early Years, as well as investment in the crucial support services that should be in place to support the pupils and families that need them. Schools are a vital part of this work, but they cannot do it alone.
 
“Rather than engage with those underlying issues, the government appears to have once again reached for simplistic solutions linked to structures and targets. Pointing at the problem is not the same as solving it. Setting targets for improvement is not the same as having a credible plan to deliver it. 
 
“Schools in these areas already do so much to support these pupils and it’s about time that the government caught up with them.”