Articles and Speeches

Simplify Education Funding
25-Nov-05, Windsor Express Article.

"Education is back at the top of the agenda since the Government announced the reforms they intend to make over the next few years.

So I was delighted to visit Ascot Heath Junior School to see how primary school children are learning about the “three Rs” these days and discover how teaching has changed since my school days.

I was invited by Bracknell Forest Borough Council to look at how their funding of education has enhanced child learning. Mrs Graham, the Head Teacher at Ascot Heath showed me how interactive white boards have been introduced, enabling children to move beyond the squeaky blackboard era of my day and enjoy more memorable visual images to enhance learning and memory. It was also reassuring to see many more teachers and teaching assistants present in the classroom.

But there are pressures. Education funding is complex and there are dangers that funding will be squeezed if rising fives enter school a year earlier. In addition there are continued pressures with reams of paperwork, and targets from central Government surround the national curriculum.

The challenge facing our local schools is obtaining the right funding at the right time to enable them to invest in their buildings, equipment and staff training so as to keep the excellent standard of education across the Windsor area so high.

I will continue to urge the Government to adopt a simpler method of funding so that our children will continue to learn in a stimulating and fun environment."