How could the state education system improve?

Smaller classes. Less interference from on high. Less data crunching. Less levels targets etc etc.recognition that teachers by and large can think for themselves Smaller classes (by a long way).
Oh...and smaller classes.

Concentrate funding on the first five years of education and getting it right there, instead of pumping money into remedial work later on.

It’s so obvious to me. We wait till they’re struggling and have given up hope.

Listening to the people at the chalk-face who actually do the teaching.

Having an ex-teacher as minister of education (but not from an expensive private school for the sons and daughters of the very affluent)

Smaller classes.