Speeches by Voaden.

“The question was not entirely about accountability. It was about the purpose of education. What are we trying to do? Are we trying to produce 16-year-olds who are healthy, happy, confident, ready to move on in the world, be employed and have successful, contented lives, or is the whole purpose of education just to get …”

“I will start with Tom and then maybe widen the question out. The ASCL has called for a clearer vision from the Government on the purpose of school education. Should other goals be set than those relating to qualifications, for example, wellbeing, communication skills, employability skills, health and happiness?”

“Do you see any discrepancy between private schools and state schools with what they are exposed to: speech days, visitors and people coming or is that evening out now? Because I know a lot of work has been done in the state sector about bringing more people into school to talk about careers.”

“I will start with Tom and then maybe widen the question out. The ASCL has called for a clearer vision from the Government on the purpose of school education. Should other goals be set than those relating to qualifications, for example, wellbeing, communication skills, employability skills, health and happiness?”

“Looking at it at a post-16 level or going back and looking at what is happening before that?”

“We are really pushed for time, but just briefly on this, obviously literacy and numeracy skills are so important for job prospects and success in later life. If any of you have a quick idea about what an effective alternative to the resit policy might look like, we would love to hear.”

“Maybe Alice or David, do either of you have any research on how you think the resit policy has affected students and teachers?”

“I am going to ask you now about maths and English resits. Most students who have not attained level 2 maths and English have to continue to study these subjects in order to continue any kind of further education. Do you think this policy benefits students, and what impact do you think the policy has had on students and…”

“Looking at it at a post-16 level or going back and looking at what is happening before that?”

“We are really pushed for time, but just briefly on this, obviously literacy and numeracy skills are so important for job prospects and success in later life. If any of you have a quick idea about what an effective alternative to the resit policy might look like, we would love to hear.”

“Maybe Alice or David, do either of you have any research on how you think the resit policy has affected students and teachers?”

“I am going to ask you now about maths and English resits. Most students who have not attained level 2 maths and English have to continue to study these subjects in order to continue any kind of further education. Do you think this policy benefits students, and what impact do you think the policy has had on students and…”

“It involves the whole education system as well as children and parents choosing that route. There has to be a route for them to go down and it has to be properly funded.”

“My question is for Sarah and Tessa. Can I just say how great it is to see two women job-sharing a chief executive role? I am very pleased to see that. As joint chief executives of Skills England, you will both have a crucial role in delivering the agency’s mission to drive growth and bring key stakeholders together, in…”

“Will you be encouraging the Government to periodically review the seniority of this position?”

“Great. Lastly, what mechanisms will you use to co-ordinate cross-departmental working, and do you think they will give you the leverage that you need to operate effectively cross-government?”

“I want to come back to something that you touched on earlier, Mr Smith, about the pathway that children take through the education system and whether they aim for university or look at other careers. I wondered whether you felt that the whole education system in this country has moved too much in one direction. The goa…”

“We have touched on this a little bit in your answers to the previous question. The Government have talked about introducing shorter apprenticeships and new foundation apprenticeships. Is there anything you would like to add on what measures you think Skills England and the Government need to take to ensure the success …”

“My question is for Sarah and Tessa. Can I just say how great it is to see two women job-sharing a chief executive role? I am very pleased to see that. As joint chief executives of Skills England, you will both have a crucial role in delivering the agency’s mission to drive growth and bring key stakeholders together, in…”

“Will you be encouraging the Government to periodically review the seniority of this position?”