King’s Birthday Honours 2026: Damehood for Former FE Commissioner Shelagh Legrave
Dame Rachel de Souza has welcomed new education reforms that would see technical subjects offered to pupils from age 14, addressing concerns that too many young people find themselves neither in education, employment nor training. The Children's Commissioner emphasised the need for bold policy to respond to children's ambitions and reduce the stress associated with finding work.
The government has announced plans to introduce new technical education routes for pupils from age 14, focusing on subjects such as artificial intelligence and manufacturing. These pathways are designed to connect learning directly with local employment needs, ensuring young people develop skills relevant to their regional economies.
The Prime Minister is set to announce a devolution drive requiring schools to adapt teaching for students aged 14 and above to meet local employer demands. The initiative aims to elevate technical and vocational qualifications whilst tackling youth unemployment and reducing welfare dependency.