Case Study: Shaping Government Policy to Improve the Education System
The British Government set out their ambition for every child in the 2009 Education White Paper: an education that prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century.
A critical contribution to the Government’s education policy to transform the system has been the 2009 Fellowship Commission.
The Scope of the Fellowship Commission
Bridge partnered with the National College for School Leadership and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, running a dedicated policy commission for an elite group of National Leaders of Education (NLEs). NLEs are selected head teachers who are highly successful local system leaders that have made transformative differences in their schools.
The Fellowship Commission was structured around supporting the NLEs to undertake a piece of real time policy consultancy focused on the challenge of improving the structure and collaboration of the education system in England. The Commission’s policy advice was generated from three distinct sources of insight:
- engaging expert witnesses from across a range of fields, including senior policy makers, education advisors, business leaders and international education practitioners
- research both nationally and internationally on education transformation programmes and their impact
- the insights and deep expertise of the NLEs
The Commission culminated with a presentation to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, the Minister of State for Schools and Learners and senior policy makers of the DCSF.
The Impact
The recommendations were adopted directly into the White Paper, as a foundation of the government’s strategy for continued improvement of the education system.