Second Educational Reform Bill

A bill to reduce university fees, provide a comprehensive scholarship programme for those at the most disadvantage, as well as other reforms designed to improve mental health, bolster the community and reduce poverty.
Bill ID CB8-03
Author(s) The Rt Hon. Sir Charles Gladstone KOBC PC MP
Amended by TBC
First reading 2022 February 12
Royal assent TBC
Commencement TBC
Affected legislation N/A

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1 General Reduction in Tuition Fees

  1. Universities and technical colleagues may now only charge a maximum of £6,250 for undergraduate study if they are TEF Gold or £6,000 if they are TEF Silver or Gold. HM Government will re-imburse the university with £3,000 per undergraduate.
  2. This change will take effect from the academic year beginning September 2022.

2 Scholarship and Maintenance Grants

  1. A newly created Office for Student Scholarship shall be established. HM Government is instructed to co-ordinate with other endowed scholarship funds in the establishment of this fund.
  2. The OSS is instructed to accept applications for full scholarships with testimonials from pupils and schools. The OSS is also instructed to target granting scholarships to at least one third of students, and full grants for accommodation and utilities to at least a fifth.
  3. In determining whether a student is eligible for a scholarship, the OSS is instructed to consider:
    1. The financial means of the student and their family, including whether the prospective student was a recipient of free school meals or their families a recipient of universal credit.
    2. The location, average results and deprivation profile of the school of origin for the pupil.
    3. Whether the pupil comes from a location or a family or ethnic background in which applications to top universities are not common.
    4. Any accentuating circumstances, including bereavement and mental health.
    5. Any achievements of exceptional civic or educational note.

3 Deferment of university entrance

  1. Undergraduate entry will now typically begin at 19 years of age, and not 18 years.
  2. A Level Qualifications and Higher BTECs are now prerequisites for application, with predictions being insufficient for application.
  3. Between 18 and 19 years of age, pupils will have a choice between enrolling in a newly created National Volunteering and Community Service partnership, practical placements in businesses for work experience or one year military service. The government will work in partnership with charities and community organisation to provide at least 15-20 hours’ worth of volunteering opportunities or practical placements in work places in conjunction with businesses for this purpose.
  4. This change takes effect in the academic year beginning September 2022.

3 Abolition of KS1 SATS

  1. From Summer 2022, KS1 SATs are hereby abolished.

4 Mental Health within the Educational System

  1. Every school with more than 200 pupils must employ at least one professional counsellor or mental health professional starting the academic year 2022/3 onward. HM Government will provide all necessary funds for this aim.
  2. OFSTED and the ISI are instructed to assess the impact of the school’s policy on mental health and wellbeing of the pupils as a key metric in their determinations.

6 Mobile Phones and Social Media

  1. Schools will be required to ban the usage of mobile phones from within schools other than for strictly educational purposes
  2. Encourages schools to provide comprehensive education about responsible social media and internet usage.

7 Duke of Edinburgh AWARDS

  1. DofE Bronze Awards will be compulsory for all pupils aged 16, except in the case of exceptional circumstances or physical disability.

8 Free and Nutritional School Breakfast

  1. All schools must provide free and nutritional school breakfasts to all pupils by September 2022.
  2. HM Government will provide all necessary funds for equipment and provisions.
  3. Encourages schools to use these meals as a way of laying down good and healthy eating habits.

9 Commencement and Extent:

  1. This Act applies to England only.
  2. This Act commences upon royal assent, although some provisions may not commence until later.
  3. This Act may be cited as the Educational Reform Act 2021.
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