Articles and Speeches

A Variety of Good Schools
08-Jul-05, Windsor Express Column.

"Finding a good school in the Windsor constituency is easy. My post-bag suggests that finding a place for your child can be more of a challenge.

From Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale to Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury, good schools abound. We have a variety of state, public, private and independent schools for all age groups and academic abilities.

Having visited and spoken at many of our local schools, it has been a joy to interact with bright and energetic pupils. The Q&A sessions have been enlightening – and a little challenging at times!

Each school has a unique character and a refreshing mix of students. I encountered very few identical twins, and it strikes me that each child has a unique range of abilities, aptitudes, interests and ambitions.

I want us to enjoy our differences so that each child feels confident in their unique set of abilities. The key is to have a variety of schools that cater to these varied needs.

This is why I oppose the one size fits all approach to education which, I believe, fails to cater for the needs of all pupils.

I have many letters from parents worried about finding a place in our excellent local schools. With the pressure on for places, popular schools must be allowed to expand as needed, rather than deprive parents and pupils of their choices.

We have some of the countries best schools, and it has been a privilege to visit so many of them over the last year or so. I would like to return the favour, by inviting pupils to visit me in Westminster for a tour of the House of Commons.

Ask your teachers to get in touch!"

Adam Afriyie, MP for Windsor.