One of the biggest drivers for me in politics is education. Coming from a family of teachers, having gone to a school bottom of the league tables (where many friends took the wrong path) and as someone who has employed many young people – I absolutely understand the importance of equipping young people with the skills and confidence to fulfil their potential.
This week saw the publication of the Education White Paper – Opportunities for All and the SEND & Alternative Provision Green Paper. Both setting out detailed plans to improve provision. I regularly visit our local schools and colleges, not only seeing first-hand the fantastic work the staff and teachers are doing, but feeding in suggestions, helping shape these two vital documents. Since 2010 we have already seen significant improvements in Swindon. Funding per pupil is up significantly and in addition to various school expansions & improvements we have delivered 8 new Primary Schools and 3 Secondary Schools. Parents are voting with their feet with Swindon’s in-town admissions at a record high. Nationally we now have 86% schools rated as Good or Outstanding – up from 68%. However, there is still much more to do, including:
• £30,000 starting salaries to attract and retain the best teachers. • 500,000 teacher training opportunities by 2024. • Schools to offer a minimum school week of 32.5 hours by September 2023. • Strengthening of multi-academy trusts, providing collective depth and expertise. • Payments to recruit and keep talented physics, chemistry, computing and maths (STEM) teachers in disadvantaged schools. • At least £100m to share best practice through the Education Endowment Foundation.
This will be underpinned by an extra £7bn in funding by 2024/25.
I will continue to press in a number of areas, for example:
• The ability for communities to hold academies to account, so they work with, not against local parents. • Extension of after-school / holidays clubs / activities – vital for hardworking families & something I have campaigned on relentlessly. • Importance of STEM subjects, equipping students with the skills for the next generation of hi-tech jobs.
Also announced this week was the SEND and alternative provision green paper. The Government commissioned the SEND Review in recognition that the system was not delivering the improved outcomes it should be for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, despite increased investment.
The green paper will consult on a stronger national system for SEND children and will support young people in Swindon to access more specialist and supported mainstream places, improve the system of assessment and decision making, and address the issues of integrating health services. These proposals have been developed alongside the Schools White Paper, wider reforms to health and adult social care, and the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. I would urge everyone to take the time and submit their views on the consultation which launches next week.
Education will continue to be an area on which I have absolutely focus and passion – I saw far too many of my own school friends not be given the opportunities they deserve. Everybody deserves the same chances in life and that starts at school.
