Nicola Davies signs up to Pupils' Guarantee (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Nicola Davies signs up to Pupils' Guarantee

July 8, 2004 3:51 PM

Nicola Davies today signed up to the Liberal Democrat 'Pupils' Guarantee' - a five point promise to every child for quality education, launched by Charles Kennedy. The Liberal Democrat Guarantee includes first class teachers; a personalised curriculum; smaller classes; fewer tests and better monitoring; and state of the art schools and colleges.

Last week, the Liberal Democrats revealed shocking figures that showed the extent of Labour's educational failure in Shard End - just 9% of pupils are gaining at least 5 A*-C grades at GCSE.

Nicola Davies said "There is a real problem in some parts of the constituency, but the Labour Government is offering no solutions. The Lib Dem Pupils' Guarantee is great way to start the debate over the real issues, and I am pleased to sign up to it today. Residents of Hodge Hill and Shard End don't want to hear Labour rhetoric about choice - they want a guarantee that every child will receive quality education close to their home.

Nicola further said "These five simple promises mean that teachers can stop worrying about tests and league tables, and start concentrating on teaching. The Liberal Democrat Pupils' Guarantee is a bright start for all, not just a few."

The Pupils' Guarantee: Five promises to every child

1. Quality Teaching - first class teachers for every child: every class taught by staff trained appropriately for either age group or subject.

2. Quality Curriculum - a personalised curriculum: tailored to the individual from age 14 and delivering opportunity for all pupils, including the 50% who do not go to university immediately.

3. Quality Classes - smaller classes: one teacher for every 25 primary children.

4. Quality Assessment - fewer tests: replace SATS at 7 and 11 with monitoring against national standards.

5. Quality Schools - state of the art schools and colleges: 21st century facilities with IT available to all.