We look here at the pledges for schools in the Brexit Party's 'Contract with the People', published on Friday.
Parental choice extended
The Brexit Party would 'further expand parental choice' on the basis that 'academies and free schools have improved results' but do not expand on what this will mean in practice. While we can expect an expansion of the free schools programme, we are left wondering whether we would also see a push for the compulsory academisation of all schools.
Apprenticeship Levy scrapped
The Brexit Party would also scrap the 'cumbersome' Apprentice Levy because they consider that 'apprenticeships have collapsed'. Instead, they would improve tax incentives for employers to take on 'genuine apprentices'. While perhaps driven more by ideology, this does raise the question of whether the apprenticeship levy is in need of reform.
Summary
It's fair to say that the Brexit Party's 'Contract with the People' is short on detail when it comes to schools. In fact, some might say this is an understatement. However, while the Brexit Party may find themselves supporting a Conservative government, it is unlikely that these pledges will have any bearing on schools policy post-election.
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