05 March 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
You may have seen recent media coverage about the Government’s new Schools White Paper or heard me refer to it at this week’s Parents’ Forum. I am writing to explain what these proposals mean and how they may affect your child.
We believe many of these proposals align well with the work already underway at Erdington Academy and build on the strong foundations already in place across our school.
Raising Standards for Every Child
The White Paper sets out clear national ambitions: improving GCSE outcomes, narrowing the gap between pupils from different backgrounds, and strengthening the national focus on attendance. These priorities closely mirror our own and reinforce the direction we are already taking as a school.
Stronger Support for Children with SEND
One part of the proposals aims to create a clearer and more consistent approach to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). All schools will be expected to provide strong universal provision — high‑quality, adaptive teaching in calm, well‑organised classrooms — alongside targeted support where required.
At Erdington Academy, we are proud of the inclusive approach we take. We have an established graduated approach to inclusion in place, ensuring that support is carefully matched to need and that every child is given the right level of challenge and care to help them thrive. This structured approach enables us to respond early, adapt provision thoughtfully and support the development of all students.
Children with additional needs will benefit from digital Individual Support Plans that can be accessed by both parents and teachers. Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will remain in place for those who require the highest level of support.
Enrichment: Developing the Whole Child
The review also places greater emphasis on enrichment, including oracy, digital skills, the arts, physical activity and wider life skills. This aligns closely with both our curriculum and our extensive after‑school offer at Erdington Academy. As you know, we are deeply committed to developing confidence, character and creativity alongside academic achievement.
Curriculum and Assessment Changes
(to be introduced gradually over the next three years)
These changes are expected to be introduced gradually over the coming years as national guidance becomes clearer. The Government will finalise a new national curriculum, schools will begin teaching it, and updated GCSE qualifications will follow. These will include strengthened writing assessments and a commitment to ensuring all students can access triple science.
Many of these elements already feature in our practice, which means we are well placed to manage a smooth and confident transition.
How you can Support your Child
When home and school work together, it has a powerful impact on children’s learning. Three simple ways you can support your child are:
- Ensure your child arrives on time each day.
- Good attendance and punctuality provide a calm, focused start and help develop strong learning habits.
- Encourage participation in after‑school clubs.
Our enrichment programme helps students build confidence, form friendships, discover new interests and develop important life skills.
Talk Regularly about Learning
Ask your child what they learned each day, refer to our Home Learning Collaboration documents, and discuss how they contributed in lessons. These small conversations help children reflect and show them that their learning is valued.
Supporting our Routines for Learning
You can also help by discussing the learning routines we use in lessons. In lessons we use routines such as teachers choosing students to answer questions, using mini whiteboards, and responding together as a class. These help every child take part and allow teachers to check understanding quickly. When students understand why we use these approaches, they are more likely to engage positively and confidently.
We want to reassure you that much of what is suggested already reflects the direction we are taking at Erdington Academy. Our focus on excellent teaching, meaningful enrichment, inclusive practice and strong partnerships with families places us in a strong position to ensure every child achieves and thrives.
If you have any questions — or if you were unable to attend the Parents’ Forum and would like a summary — please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to help.
With warm regards,
Ms Cross
Head of Academy
