A new Education Secretary was appointed a few months ago, and the government feels that now is the time to reshape the schools system by publishing a White Paper, which describes their proposals for future policies and the legal changes needed to deliver them. 

The year, of course, is 2010 and recently appointed Education Secretary Michael Gove is about to launch his ambitious plans that would reshape state schools in England for years to come. 

Fast forward six years and another White Paper emerged when Nicky Morgan was Education Secretary in 2016, and here we are another six years on in 2022 awaiting a new White Paper on the schools system – this time courtesy of Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi. 

So why does the government think that a new approach is needed to running state schools? What problems is the White Paper going to attempt to solve? And what can be learned from the previous two White Papers that may guide ministers towards a better set of proposals and away from potential pitfalls? 

To give us their verdict on what has happened in the past when trying to reform state schools as well as what should happen in future, we are lucky enough to have two guests who have worked on education policy at senior levels inside and outside government. 

Natalie Perera is the CEO of the Education Policy Institute, an independent research institute which she co-founded in 2016. 

And Sam Freedman is a senior advisor at Ark Schools and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. 

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE INSIDE YOUR ED'S BACK CATALOGUE

FOLLOW INSIDE YOUR ED ON TWITTER / X