Please think whether you could help to keep a local child’s life together…

Could you, or a family member or friend consider fostering a local child who needs you? Fostering Fortnight is a great chance to think about what we can offer.

As parents, we know how much children depend on a stable, caring family home life. Unfortunately, some children can’t rely on their own family, and are being looked after by Suffolk County Council. Usually, these children will live with a foster carer, either for a few weeks, or perhaps for much longer. But there aren’t enough people in Suffolk coming forward as carers, so some local children are very much losing out.

As a mother myself, I so respect the work that Suffolk’s foster carers do for children who, through no fault of their own, can’t stay with their own family. I can’t think of anything more valuable for our community, now and far into the future, than helping to look after a needy child. It’s a chance to make a big positive difference to someone’s life – how often do we get that chance? Please do think about whether you could offer your help. You will be paid the going rate, and have great support from council staff. Do phone us for a chat, or have a look at all the information on our website. It could be the best thing you will ever do!

There are about 700 children looked after by Suffolk County Council and around 300 local foster carers.  Many more carers are still needed from all the communities in Suffolk to make sure that children in our care have the best chance of being looked after by local foster carers.   Foster carers can be married or not, have children at home or not, we need all sorts! Talk to us if you’re not sure its for you.

The shortage of foster carers means that children may not always be able to live near enough to their local area to be able to go to the same school, or that their brothers and sisters have to live with another foster family which is not nearby. These situations make it much harder for children to cope with being in care.  We are looking to recruit more foster carers to join the Suffolk Fostering Service to make sure these children get all the support, care and attention that they need and deserve.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer please call 0800 328 2148 or log on to www.suffolkfostering.com

School Organisation Review – Speech to Suffolk County Council, 22nd March

Over a year ago I joined the PDP completely open minded to the process ahead.

I was educated in Newmarket in the three-tier system. Now my children attend local schools in that same system.  My views put to the Panel were not simply those of a local councillor representing her community, but also as a mother, a mother concerned for the future education of her children and future generations of Suffolk children. 

I am totally convinced by the evidence we must continue with the process efficiently and prudently and not seek to delay the decision just because the issues are difficult. Our decision is a huge one. It is beholden upon us all to take it on the evidence and facts alone and not upon emotion, either personal or imposed. 

This debate for me is not simply two-tier verses three tier – but essentially is about raising educational standards in ALL our schools for ALL our children across the county.
Suffolk’s children surely deserve the best possible start in life. We can help deliver that – but only if we change. 

Living close to the Cambridgeshire boarder I have many friends whose children attend school a two-tier system. Parents who consciously opt for this system by personal choice rather than the 3 tier provided by Suffolk. They certainly do not complain their children suffer by remaining in primary school for an extra two years. Their children have a broad curriculum and pastoral care equal to any that is offered in our three-tier system.   

One factor sticks out to me above all others: -

There is not a single subject where the three-tier schools exceed the performance of two-tier schools at GCSE despite specialist subjects being taught for two extra years in the three-tier system.  The lower performance in three-tier schools at age 11 is never completely made good for all pupils.Each and every one of us here today has experienced personally the fear and trepidation of changing school. Maybe even worse is seeing those fears replayed in our own children.  I can remember at 9 and 13 feeling worried about the huge step into the unknown of a new school.  

Only last September I saw my own daughter experience the same feelings. It is never easy however well you think you have prepared them. Why do we make them do it twice? Why create the worry and disruption twice?  

It does not matter at what age the point of transition takes place. A child will always experience these feelings.  By reducing the points of transition you are reducing the anxieties and fears, but probably more importantly there is evidence of a dip in performance for some children at each point of transfer. 

A lot has been said over the last few weeks that we are disregarding “Every Child Matters” by proceeding with this.  

Not so, for me the very reason we are doing this is that every child does matter!  Every child deserves the very best opportunity that we can give them. Are we doing justice or maximising our children’s chances by remaining with the status quo?  It’s very clear that NO requests have been received from the 2 tier area opting to introduce middle schools. 

In the recent white paper Higher Standards and Better Schools for All.  The document sets out the government’s plans to radically improve the school system.  With every child receiving an excellent education whatever their background and wherever they live, with every school a good school, and every pupil achieving and reaching their potential.   

Again, the facts clearly show we are NOT delivering on this promise. We are not excellent and we must change. 

Thats what we are trying to achieve here today, we are not disregarding “Every Child Matters” we are ensuring its delivery to every child in Suffolk. 

Lets grasp this opportunity today to improve the education for ALL children in Suffolk. 

Suffolk – it’s like Life on Mars!

Concerned parents lobbying councillors, ‘fears for the future of schools’, action groups and public meetings.  This is not Newmarket today but Woodbridge in the 1980s.  The fact is that a successful transition from three-tier to two-tier education has already been achieved in Suffolk in recent memory.

The similarities between the mid-eighties and today are remarkable.  The objectives of the Woodbridge review were to:

1. Establish a common age of transfer

2. Ensure the viability of schools

3. Improve or replace inappropriate buildings

4. Remove surplus places

5. Improve the quality of education

The reasons for change were again, very familiar. For example, recruitment of teachers was difficult and the viability of village first schools was under threat due to falling pupil numbers.

The change went a head and the worries of the anti-lobby proved to be unfounded. The phasing of the change was designed to minimise the number of moves children had to make. Rather than the predicted (by the anti lobby) fall, pupil performance improved dramatically (from 48% of pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE in 1994 to 67% in 2006).

The vast majority of school staff was confirmed in post. Some took early retirement and others were redeployed to alternative schools. Finally, concerns about transport proved unnecessary as there was a reduction in the number of journeys required as children remained in their local rural primary school for two years longer.

Surely what Woodbridge could do 20 years ago, Newmarket can do better today.

New School for village – but which educational system?

Suffolk County Council’s school organisation review WILL NOT delay the delivery of the school for the community of Red Lodge.  A new school can only be provided in an area in accordance with the population and catchments and it will be determined in Red Lodge by the build rate of the new houses.  At the moment Suffolk County Council is actively working on plans for the new school, aiming to start the statutory consultation period (required by law) with the community early in 2008.   

Moving to a two-tier system for Red Lodge would mean our children will be educated in the village from the age of 5 until the age of 11, children will be able to walk and cycle to school and they would no longer require buses to transport them. I know how difficult it is to put your child on a bus at the age of five, wondering who is more nervous you or your little one!  From the age of 11 they would transfer to one of the local secondary schools, for the rest of their education.   

The new school for Red Lodge will be a 300 place school if we continue with the three-tier system (ages 5 to 9) or a 420 place school if we move to a two tier system (ages 5 to 11).  The school will be set in grounds of 4 acres and I am sure the community will be as excited as I am to think the children here in our village will have a brand new school with excellent facilities. 

Suffolk Schools Organisation Review

This subject is I believe is the single most important issue to be discussed this year by Suffolk County Council.  As one of the 75 Suffolk County Councillors, and even more importantly, a parent of two children who attend local primary and middle schools. I am absolutely convinced that the major, but very careful planned changes we are proposing for our schools, are the right ones to give all Suffolk children a better future. If I thought there was any serious risk of disrupting or damaging those childrens’ chances at school, I would say so, believe me this impacts on my family and childrens’ life chance too! 

I realise I am in a good position to understand all the information, and all the issues raised, as I have served on the panel that made these proposals right from the start. I am sure that if any one of you, had followed all the arguments as I have, you would have come to the decision that we must not let our children down by missing this chance.  I appeal to all parents (and other concerned local residents) to please take the time to look at the evidence, and understand just what our proposals mean for children now and in the next few years.

The evidence is very clear that the three-tier system simply doesn’t match the standards achieved generally in the two-tier school areas. This is crucial: I will not be party to accepting a system which doesn’t give our children the best start, when we have a once-in-a-generation chance to improve it. I’m also convinced that the gap between the two systems will get worse, as teaching and learning expertise, staff careers and investment, is all geared to primary-secondary systems which are nearly universal in England.

A massive reason why we must seize the chance to improve things now, is that there are literally hundreds of millions of pounds of public money available to Suffolk for school buildings in the next five years. So our choice is a very stark one indeed: improve the system now and use national investment to help with it, or stick with a lesser deal for our children and lose a lot of money for improved school buildings.

The review will not add to the Council’s costs nor will it add to council taxpayers’ bills.  Education is paid for by the Dedicated Schools Grant, this is a ring fenced grant from central government and is not paid for through the Council Tax.  Changing to a two-tier system provides a cost effective solution compared to the other options considered for change. 

These are some other examples why I believe it is important we carry forward the review:

85% of three-tier schools are significantly below the national average for progress made by pupils between ages 7 and 11. The figure for two-tier schools is 12%.

Suffolk is in the bottom 25% of all authorities for mathematics at Key Stage 2 (119 out of 150 in 2005).

The lower performance in three-tier schools at age 11 is never completely made good for all pupils.

Academic performance in two-tier schools is better than in three-tier schools on key measures such as 5+ A* – C GCSE results and GCE A – level results.

There is not a single subject where the three-tier schools exceed the performance of two-tier schools at GCSE, despite specialist subjects being taught for two extra years in the three-tier system.

The number of pupils staying on in further education in the three-tier system is significantly lower than that in the two-tier.

The aim of the review is to improve education achievement – and therefore opportunities – for all pupils across the county.

The review is being managed carefully and gradually. We will pay special attention to ensuring that the education of every child is protected.

The review is based on extensive research of the highest quality, much of which is externally validated, over a 12-month period.

Moving to a two-tier system countywide would enable £4.4m to be re-invested in schools each year.

Local communities and parents will be consulted on the pattern of schools in their area.  Our plan is to develop a first class school system for
Suffolk.

We want to retain our good leaders, teachers and support staff and will be developing a programme of professional development for staff.

I would just like to finish with a rather personal note. I have had remarks made to me that if I persist in supporting the plans for improvement, I will not be supported at the next elections. Of course, how you vote is everybody’s free choice. But I became a councillor not to be famous, or gain any personal advantage, but rather because I am determined to fight to improve life for everyone here in the Newmarket area, and indeed in Suffolk as a whole. I want to do what I see is very clearly the right thing to do for our children, local families and the wider community. I would hope people will support a councillor who tries to do what is right. We all now have a great chance to make a very important contribution to the life chances of our children for generations to come.