Education 

Local schools

After the trauma of the Wyre Forest review it is essential to make sure that the transition from the three-tier system to two tiers goes smoothly with as little disruption to the children’s education as possible, and that the result of the change fulfils the predictions of those who voted for it that the quality and outcomes of education for all Wyre Forest children will improve. I am concerned for the future of staff of our closing schools and about the affordability of the extra buildings and facilities needed to accommodate the new system.

I support the recent Parliamentary Health Select Committee Report on Obesity that recommended reformulation of the Food Technology curriculum, healthy eating in schools, Government guidance to schools on the use of vending machines, increased exercise through safer routes to walk or cycle to schools and recognition of obesity in children by weighing and measuring children annually. Several of these points have been given the Government’s support in the recent Public Health White Paper.

If re-elected I will continue to visit local schools to observe and discuss the progress of implementation of the transition and to discuss health issues, some of which are already being addressed.

Wider issues affecting education

Area Cost Adjustment
During the last Parliament all local MPs were aware of the unfairness for Worcestershire children of the method of calculating area cost adjustment that leaves children in this county with less money per head for education than children over the borders in Shropshire or Birmingham. The unfairness occurs because Worcestershire has been labelled as a low-wage area. Work commissioned by the County Council has disproved this and so there is further ammunition to continue the battle by MPs to redress this intolerable situation after the election.

City Academies
Although I can see the attraction for schools that aspire to this status I fear that neighbouring schools could be disadvantaged in comparison. We need to study the proposals and their possible consequences very carefully before supporting the concept.

School meals
I welcome the Government announcement of £280 million to improve school meals. Believing that this might not be "new" money other than that already announced in allocations to Local Education Authorities, as has happened before with NHS "new" funding announcements, I checked this with the Schools Minister. To my relief £235 million of it is indeed "new" money for schools and LEAs from the Department's reserves. Primary schools will now be able to spend a minimum of 50p on ingredients and secondary schools 60p. The other £45 million comes from lottery money towards a new School Trust Fund to provide independent advice about healthy school meals.

Exams
I support all measures to improve learning in basic English and Maths whatever the system of examinations. I also welcome the move towards more vocational diplomas and the recognition that University Degrees should not be the only worthwhile aim of school education.

Tuition Fees
Let no one say a single vote never counts! At the tuition fees division in the House of Commons I was approached by Whips from both sides to know which way I was going to vote. In the end the majority in favour of these fees that will put students into vast debt before they can start earning was only five. I voted against tuition fees as I consider there are alternative ways of funding University training that would not put students into debt in this demoralising way.

The future of education will be one of the key issues at this election. 

As an Independent candidate I have the privilege of supporting whichever of the proposals of major parties that I believe are right.

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