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New legislation going through Parliament will require all teachers to have formal qualifications and introduce free breakfast clubs in primary schools. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to reform the country's education and child protection services.
Why it matters: The wide-ranging reforms will affect how schools in Ipswich operate, from teacher requirements to curriculum delivery, while introducing measures aimed at reducing costs for parents.
The big picture: The bill introduces several key changes:
All new teachers in state schools will need qualified teacher status by September 2026
Free breakfast clubs will be introduced in primary schools
A cap will be placed on branded school uniform items
All state-funded schools must teach the national curriculum
New safeguarding measures will be introduced to protect vulnerable children
By the numbers: Parents could save:
An estimated £450 per year through free breakfast clubs
Over £50 per child on school uniforms
Teacher reforms: From September 2026, new teachers in state primary and secondary schools must have qualified teacher status or be working towards it. The bill also establishes a unified pay framework across maintained schools and academies.
Curriculum changes: Following an independent review due in autumn 2025, all state-funded schools – including academies – will be required to follow the national curriculum. This aims to ensure consistent education standards across different types of schools.
Child protection: The legislation introduces new measures, including:
A single identifier number to track children across services
Greater involvement of educators in safeguarding decisions
Required family group meetings before children enter care
Stricter oversight of home education
What they're saying: Ipswich MP Jack Abbott, who previously worked as a teaching assistant at a local school, said: "From speaking to parents in our town, I know how much they will value having a free breakfast club at their local primary and a cheaper back to school shop."
The bottom line: While the bill is still making its way through Parliament, these reforms represent significant changes to how schools operate and how children are protected in Ipswich and across England.
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