First, make Supplemental Educational Services (SES) available as soon as schools are
declared in need of improvement, the same time as school choice is offered.
There are plenty
of things a proper,
declared middle tier could get on with, including: ensuring a supply
of good teachers; school
improvement support for all schools, especially those
in deprived areas; good continuing professional development for teachers and leaders; and an effective system
of support for vulnerable pupils, especially those with special
needs.