Children, education and schools

Councils have the powers and resources they need to bring partners together to deliver inclusive and high quality education, help children and young people to fulfil their potential and offer lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Image with blue and white squares, and logo of a group of people
SDG 3 - Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all



SDG 10 - Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequalities within and among countries

Councils lead the way in driving up educational standards – we will:

  • set out a clear vision for councils’ role in promoting high educational standards, with the resources, powers and flexibilities to give every child access to a place at a good local school
  • lobby for a stronger role for councils in investing in schools - ensuring new schools are high quality, fit for and value for money - and a lead role in decisions about new free schools
  • press for a stronger council role in ensuring admissions are fair for all pupils across the school system.

Schools have the funding they need to deliver the best education for all pupils – we will:

  • lobby to ensure the national funding formula for schools retains an element of local flexibility to allow councils and schools to reflect local needs and priorities
  • highlight the growing pressures on the high needs budget and lobby government to provide councils with sufficient funding and flexibility to meet rising demand and eliminate High Needs deficits
  • lobby for flexibility in use of the apprenticeship levy and work with partners to increase take up of quality apprenticeships in schools.
We will set out a clear vision for councils’ role in promoting high educational standards, with the resources, powers and flexibilities to give every child access to a place at a good local school

Councils have the flexibility and resources to deliver services that meet the needs of children and young people – we will:

  • encourage councils and the Government to put children at the heart of policy making
  • continue to paint a positive vision for local children’s services, calling for adequate funding for services, that change children’s lives through our Re-thinking local campaign
  • support councils to take a preventative and place-based approach to children and young people’s health, including early years, childhood obesity and support for children's mental health
  • work in partnership to improve life chances for disadvantaged households, particularly those with young children, making the case for early intervention and improved integration of services for families.

Councils protect children’s wellbeing and keep them safe – we will:

  • support councils to protect children and young people from harm and improve outcomes for all children, in particular children in care and care leavers
  • work with government and councils to support child refugees and unaccompanied asylum seekers safe, pressing for improved funding to better cover costs, including for those leaving care
  • support councils to tackle the challenges of child criminal exploitation and county lines issues.