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.
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.
