The Labour government confirmed this week it will scrap the Advanced British Standard (ABS) - but what about other education policies still left in limbo from the previous government?
A consultation on the ABS had closed on 20 March, and the government said at the time that it would be followed by a White Paper later this year. However, because of the election, this was never published.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed on Monday that the planned qualification was being scrapped.
One other outstanding education consultation from the previous government was acknowledged in the King’s Speech two weeks ago - on minimum service levels, which set out new rules affecting teacher strikes.
The plan had led to former education secretary Gillian Keegan being accused of launching an attack on teachers’ “basic democratic rights” when it was announced last year.
The new government has said it will “update” trade union legislation, including the previous government’s “approach to minimum service levels”.
However, there are six other Department for Education consultations left over from the previous government that are still up in the air.
1. Sex education guidance
Among the most contentious of recent DfE consultations was draft guidance launched in May saying that schools should not teach pupils any form of sex education until Year 5, nor about the “concept of gender identity” at primary or secondary level.
Labour declined to commit to supporting the guidance at the time.
The consultation on the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) draft legislation closed on 11 July, less than a week after Labour won the general election.
Another consultation on draft non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges about children questioning their gender closed on 12 March 2024.
Tes understands that the DfE will re-engage with stakeholders before setting out any next steps.
A spokesperson said: “It’s vitally important that teachers have clear guidance, which is why we will be looking carefully at the consultation responses and considering the relevant evidence before setting out next steps to take the RSHE and gender-questioning guidance forward.”
The education secretary has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be “at the heart of” both sets of guidance, the spokesperson added.
2. Faith schools cap
Also in May, the previous government published draft plans to allow special faith-based academies to open for the first time, as well as scrapping a cap on the number of places awarded on a faith basis in new free schools.
However, questions have been raised by union leaders over what “social or educational benefit” scrapping the cap would have, warning that it enabled schools to be “accessible to local communities”.
The consultation closed on 20 June, but the Labour government has not indicated its stance on this issue.
3. Computer science reforms
Changes to the teaching of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in GCSE computer science are also subject to an open consultation.
In a consultation open until 21 July, the DfE also suggested that visual programming languages could be used to meet programming requirements and that the study of computer science will also be “better represented” as an academic discipline.
Although Labour has not given its views on reforming the subject, it could potentially be looked at separately under the government’s planned curriculum review.
Part of the government’s ambition is for a curriculum that “ensures every young person gets the opportunity to skills particularly prized by employers”, including digital skills.
4. Unregistered alternative provision
This consultation was presented as the next step in delivering on the former government’s commitment to improving unregistered alternative provision (AP).
It built on findings from a previous call for evidence, “Understanding the use of unregistered alternative provision”.
The consultation closed on 5 July, and the DfE told Tes that officials were analysing the responses and that it would “provide advice on next steps in due course”.
AP leaders have recently written to Ms Phillipson about the need for funding and action on unregulated provision.
The DfE said: “Over the coming weeks and months, we will make a thorough assessment of the SEND and alternative provision system.”
5. Changes to safeguarding
The government launched a consultation on safeguarding practice, development and direction, in advance of the 2025 update to the “Keeping children safe in education” (KCSIE) guidance.
KCSIE sets out the legal duties that school staff must follow to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 in schools and colleges.
The consultation closed on 20 June. If introduced, it could see changes to the role of the school safeguarding lead, as well as to the processes schools have in place for online safeguarding, as well as the introduction of guidance for child-on-child sexual violence.
Labour has said it wants to introduce an annual safeguarding check alongside Ofsted inspections. These checks would also look at attendance and off-rolling, but Labour has not confirmed whether it will look at KCSIE compliance, too.
6. Early years framework
The previous government consulted on proposals to strengthen the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework. This looked at safeguarding requirements, with the aim to make them more comprehensive for early years providers.
The consultation closed on 17 June, but Labour has not commented directly on whether it will continue with the plans.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has repeatedly said that the early years is her “priority” when it comes to reforming the education system.
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