The FED National Consultation.

Our second year of work – workstreams and councils

The FED?

The Foundation for Education Development (FED) is a community interest company with the objectives of promoting the benefits, importance and understanding of long a long-term vision and plan for education in England. We were founded in December 2019 and are an independent body.

What are we trying to achieve?

The establishment of a long-term vision and plan for education in England. We have a three-year mandate to consult with all education stakeholders and set out a path to a long-term vision and plan for education in England.

Why are we trying to achieve it?

The English education system has never had a long-term vision and plan and been governed for too long via the 5-year political mandate.  This has created system that is inherently unstable and is letting down the country. Children and young people have a 15-year journey in our formal education system – from 3 to 18.  Therefore, it is sensible we have a 15-year cycle of planning in our education system. Reasons for why we need a long-term vison and plan for education –

  • Equity – our education system fails to many children and young people.
  • Technological Change – our education system needs to move from analogue to digital to keep pace with global developments and prepare our learners for the world of today and the future of tomorrow.
  • Productivity – England has one of the most unproductive economies in the modern world – our education system needs to consider its role in the future success of our economy and country.

How have we gone about it?

We launched the FED with a 12-month consultation as an invitation to help shape our thinking from across the spectrum of education stakeholders – the first phase of a 3-year programme – interrupted by COVID and so run over to 15 months. The FED National Education Consultation Report was published on 26th April 2021 and heralded the start of our second year of work. You can read the FED National Education Consultation Report here and view our all-party virtual launch of the report here.
FED Report

What is our second year of work?

This will see the delivery of 5 core work programmes to establish a solid foundation for our education system – one that it has never had before.

Building our Workstream Steering Groups

We have been delighted to welcome support from many influential individuals who have agreed to give up their time to participate in the workstream steering groups. Our co-chairs cover a wide range of knowledge and opinion in terms of the education system in this country. 

Ws 1 Angle
  • David Jaffa – Founder National Talent Academy
  • Ndidi Okezie – CEO UK Youth
  • Essie North – CEO Big Change
Ws 2 Angle
  • Patrick Wall – Founder, edpol.net
  • Emma Knights OBE – Chief Executive National Governance Association
Ws 3 Angle
  • Dr Ann Limb CBE DL FRSA – Chair UK Innovation Corridor
  • James Kempton – Chair Oldham Learning
  • Lizzie Watts – Director of Accreditation & Standards Pearsons
Ws 4 Angle
  • David Gallagher – CEO NCFE
  • Professor Anne Bamford OBE – Director Education and Skills for the City of London
  • Al Kingsley – Group MD NetSupport
Ws 5 Angle
  • Kirstie Donnelly MBE Chief Executive – City & Guilds Group
  • Al Kingsley – Group MD NetSupport

FED Stakeholder Councils

At every stage of the workstream discussions, the conclusions and findings will be tested by a series of FED Stakeholder Councils. Throughout our National consultations, it has been our intention to engage with the widest range of voices and opinion. We believe our Stakeholder Councils will be a route to bring all perspectives to the debate.

The FED National Education Summit