Articles and Speeches

Education Reform - Get a Move On

18-Nov-05, Windsor Express Article.

"I often receive letters from parents desperate to gain a place for their children in one of our excellent local schools.

In a recent letter, one concerned mother described the stress of discovering that her daughter was unable to obtain a place at their local secondary school. This meant that her daughter would be forced to study away from her friends at a school some distance away.

All caring parents want the best for their children’s education and nobody can blame them for trying to get best start in life for their children.

The reality is that some schools are more popular and some schools perform better than others. Sadly, the current policy stops good schools from expanding and prevents parents from choosing what is best for their children.

That is why I welcome the Government’s recent proposals to allow parents more choice over which school their children attend.

It is a great shame that this Government has taken eight years to realise that a variety of good schools is a good thing. Whilst many children are fortunate to be in good schools around the Windsor constituency, I hope the Government will have the courage to push through its reforms so that future generations of our children are not failed."