A swathe of new laws has been introduced south of the border with the passing of the vast Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) Bill. It includes: greater powers for teachers to search pupils if they suspect them of carrying alcohol, drugs or stolen goods; a statutory basis to Ofqual as the first ever independent regulator of qualifications and assessment; further powers for schools to drive up standards; and empowering local authorities to issue “compliance notices” to schools to reduce the pressure of growing workloads.