This summer, the government will consult on introducing measures to toughen up the Baker Clause, which could include linking government funding to school compliance, the education secretary Gavin Williamson has said.
Speaking in front of the House of Commons Education Select Committee this morning, Mr Williamson said that “in the summer, we are going to be consulting on proposals to strengthen the Baker Clause legislation”.
“This was part of a three-point plan as part of the Skills for Jobs White Paper,” he added, saying that alongside tougher formal action against non-compliance, this could include “making government-funded support for careers advice for schools conditional on Baker Clause compliance”.
That measure could go a long way to ensuring that every school understands the importance of the clause, said Mr Williamson. “We are looking at toughening what we do with schools to make it absolutely clear the Baker Clause is not an optional extra, it is something that is absolutely expected of them to do. And if they don’t do it, then, potentially, they put funding at jeopardy.”
Background: Ofsted told to ‘do its job’ on school careers advice
More: Careers education ‘is not acceptable’
Lord Baker: Schools must give students FE advice
His comments come after Lord Baker of Dorking told the House of Lords he would be tabling an amendment to the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill to make the clause a statutory demand on schools. It is seen as key to ensuring that young people get appropriate careers advice and guidance on vocational training and apprenticeships, rather than just being encouraged to pursue a university route by their school teachers. While the clause was set up to ensure access to information on technical and vocational pathways for students, it currently relies on schools following ministerial advice on the matter.
Last week, chair of the education committee Robert Halfon, who was skills minister when the Baker Clause was introduced, told Ofsted to “do its job” and ensure schools comply. He said schools that did not offer good careers advice, including on FE options, should not be rated “outstanding” by the inspectorate.
