12 September 2025
The resignation of Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary has sent ripples through Westminster, triggering a significant cabinet reshuffle. Rayner stepped down following revelations about underpaid stamp duty on a property purchase, a breach of the ministerial code that clashed with Labour’s pledge to uphold the highest standards in public office.
While the headlines have focused on immigration, the economy, and the NHS, education has quietly slipped from the national spotlight. Yet, for those of us working in schools, the challenges remain urgent and unresolved.
Bridget Phillipson holds her ground
Amid the latest Government reshuffle, Bridget Phillipson has retained her position as Secretary of State for Education, providing continuity and stability during a period of significant change. Her continued leadership signals a steady commitment to delivering Labour’s education manifesto.
However, the reshuffle has seen the departure of several key education ministers:
- Catherine McKinnell, previously Minister for School Standards, has stepped down from her role.
- Janet Daby, who served as Children’s Minister, has left the Government.
- Stephen Morgan, formerly Minister for Early Education, has been reassigned as a Government Whip.
Joining Phillipson are three new junior ministers:
- Georgia Gould, MP for Queen’s Park and Maida Vale and former Camden Council leader, brings valuable local government experience.
- Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, a Teach First alumnus and founder of the social work charity Frontline, is expected to focus on vulnerable children.
- Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has a strong background in policy and advocacy, having previously served as a senior aide to Keir Starmer and held leadership roles in the Fabian Society and Labour Women’s Network.
Their appointments come as the Department for Education faces critical reforms, particularly around SEND and school standards.
RAAC crisis: still crumbling
One of the most pressing issues—RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)—has faded from public view. Despite initial urgency, only 30 of the 232 affected schools have had RAAC removed. That leaves over 200 schools still operating with a material known to be structurally unsound.
The government estimates it could take three to five years to fully resolve the crisis. For thousands of pupils, this means learning in temporary buildings or unsafe environments—a situation that demands far more attention than it’s currently receiving.
Labour’s education manifesto: what’s been achieved
Since taking office in July 2024, the Labour Government has made progress on several key pledges:
- Ending VAT exemption for private schools. This move is expected to raise £1.5 billion annually, though the funds are not ring-fenced for education and will be distributed across public services.
- Scrapping single-word Ofsted judgements. Replaced with detailed report cards, these aim to provide a fuller picture of school performance. Implementation begins this term.
- RISE teams. 65 regional improvement teams are now supporting over 200,000 pupils in “stuck” schools, with plans to expand further.
Still in progress
Several initiatives are underway but not yet complete:
- SEND White Paper. Due this autumn, it promises reforms to improve inclusivity and early intervention. The government is working to define “inclusive provision” and better support teaching assistants, who are central to the strategy.
- Curriculum Review. An interim report has been published, with final recommendations expected later this year. Key areas include a renewed focus on preparing pupils for a rapidly changing world and bringing creative subjects back in from the cold.
- Teacher recruitment. A bold pledge to recruit 6500 new teachers, especially in shortage subjects. While funding has been allocated and recruitment campaigns launched, the full number has yet to be reached with retention remaining a significant challenge.
What hasn’t been delivered
Despite these strides, several manifesto promises remain untouched:
- Phonics for Maths. No progress has been made on this initiative.
- Teacher Training Entitlement. Still absent from policy discussions.
- Leadership Mentoring Programme. No updates or implementation.
- Universal Mental Health Support. Funding has increased, but full coverage won’t be achieved until 2030.
- Free Breakfast Clubs in Every Primary School. A pilot is underway, but national rollout may be years away.
Final thoughts
As educators, we know that real change takes time—but it also requires urgency, especially when the national curriculum is more than ten years old and the world is changing fast. The RAAC crisis, the slow rollout of mental health support, and the lack of progress on teacher development are reminders that education must not be sidelined.
Bridget Phillipson and her new team have a full agenda. Let’s hope they keep listening to the profession and prioritise the reforms that matter most to our pupils.
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