Commons Sense: The case for a choice in education

We have good reason to be proud of the fantastic schools and colleges in our area. Across the constituency our classrooms have impressive track records and results.

Nationally, the Government has committed to increasing school budgets, and increasing funding for school places for children with special education needs – and this is vital, a well-rounded education is the cornerstone of success. But I would argue that it is the variety of choice in our education offer in Windsor that so integral to the success of our young people.

We are home to world-famous independent schools, academies, faith schools, and world-class special needs provision. Each classroom, lecture hall, and applied apprenticeship in the constituency is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, parents, governors, and pupils. 

This variety and choice should be replicated nationally. By boosting the range of high-quality education providers so that parents and students can make informed choices about the routes that they pursue (both for academic qualifications and for employment skills), we drive forward competition which compels education providers to up their game across the board.

As a Conservative I believe that choice creates and supports opportunity. Increased choice, and the resulting higher standards, help to address attainment gaps so that pupils from poorer and disadvantaged backgrounds can match the successes of their more privileged peers and improve their life chances.

As we go forward, I will be supporting the brilliant teachers and pupils in our area by continuing to call for variety and choice in our classrooms, and I will be continuing to push for the same variety and choice nationally.  In doing so, we can help to build the future that our hard-working young people deserve.