From expanded RISE teams to updated Ofsted report cards, the government introduces education reforms ensuring better outcomes for SEND students and all children
The UK government has launched a new era of education reforms aimed at raising standards across all schools while strengthening support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
As part of this initiative, RISE (Rapid Improvement Support for Education) teams will be expanded to underperforming schools, and updated Ofsted report cards will provide clearer insights into school performance. These measures are designed to ensure inclusive learning environments, improve outcomes for SEND students, and drive up educational standards nationwide.
RISE teams set to support 200,000 children
From this term, teams of school improvement experts—called RISE teams— are nearly doubling their reach to 377 schools and serving almost 100,000 more children.
RISE teams, comprising 65 top-tier advisers with a proven track record of driving school standards, are now poised to expand their reach to over 200,000 children. They will be working closely with schools that have received poor Ofsted judgements, providing their expertise to drive improvement.
Later this year, the government will further consult on how these teams could directly support schools with the lowest levels of attainment.
New data published today show that across primary schools targeted by RISE teams, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths in 2024, compared to 62% in state-funded mainstream schools. Behaviour and attendance have also improved following the RISE intervention.
Benchmarking school performance using a new tool
The Department for Education has announced that it will launch an online platform enabling head teachers to benchmark their school’s performance against that of other similar schools, by size or deprivation levels, as part of the new education reforms.
The tools will show head teachers their school’s strengths and weaknesses across key metrics, including attainment, compared with their peers, while also enabling collaboration to share best practice. Testing begins this academic year and builds on the success of the government’s AI-powered attendance reports, which already help heads identify where they’re falling behind and how to catch up.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: ”Every child deserves a brilliant education – and that means a system that’s relentlessly focused on strong accountability that puts children first.
New school report cards will raise the bar for standards across the board, highlighting what’s working and where change is needed. By providing a fuller picture of school performance – from attendance and behaviour to inclusion – we’re giving parents the transparency they deserve and schools the tools to improve.
From school inspection to new technology, to experts who have been there and done it – through our Plan for Change, we will use every lever we can to boost the life chances of our children and ensure aspiration is not just the preserve of some, but the right of every young person, wherever they grow up.”
