Meeting with Chief Inspector of Education
This afternoon I held a direct meeting with the Chief Inspector of Education, Amanda Spielman, and the National Director (education), Chris Russell.
I wanted to talk about the Ofsted framework, and incentivising good provision of SEND. From being in contact with schools and headteachers, I’ve unfortunately heard quite a few negative reports about how the Ofsted reports framework have reflected on the work schools do for SEND.
However, I was pleased to hear reassurance in the meeting this afternoon, which highlighted the differences in the new framework, introduced in September 2019. Due to the pandemic, only about 20% of schools have yet been judged under the new system, however I am encouraged that this new framework steps away from results tables and towards judging the ‘positive difference’ made to students – this is particularly important for SEND pupils.
It was explained in our meeting that a school with a low SEND intake but high attainment in exams might not perform as well in Ofsted reports as a school which has a higher number of SEND students, for whom it makes a significant and positive difference, despite seemingly lower outcomes in a league table. What really matters is the positive difference made to the students and I am pleased to see that reflected in Ofsted thinking. I’m encouraged that once the new framework beds in properly, improvements will follow.
Co-Sponsoring the Dyslexia Screening Bill
Pleased to be co-sponsoring this really important ten minute rule Bill being led by Matt Hancock that will be heard this Wednesday.
It was only when I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia that things changed for the better for me. I was 12 when I was diagnosed. At the time I had a reading and writing age of an 8 year old. Ideally I would have been diagnosed earlier but I was lucky to get the support I needed at school and ended up doing well in my GCSE’s and A-levels. Sadly for many this isn’t the case.
There should be a requirement for all pupils to be screened for dyslexia and dyspraxia at primary school. Overall it’s thought that 1/10 have dyslexia in society. Worryingly 5/10 have dyslexia in prison. Which again goes to the importance of why this issue is so important.
Suffolk New College
Thanks to Suffolk New College for having me today.
Suffolk New College has just been announced as one of 39 recipients of the government’s £83 fund to increase post-16 capacity.
Today I chatted with some of their English as a Second Language students, studying maths and English, and was asked about my role as an MP.
The students raised topical and interesting subjects such as electric cars – and the rise of electric scooters, new employment opportunities and the ‘green jobs’ sector, and what kind of influence MPs have in Parliament.
It’s great to see the students engaging with the issues their generation face, and I hope to be hearing from many of these students in the future!
Suffolk New College funding increase
Suffolk New College is one of 39 sixth forms and colleges which will receive a portion of the £83 million of government funding to increase capacity for post-16 education. I’ve been pushing for this funding as a member of the education select committee, so am very pleased to see that Suffolk New College will benefit.
Further Education, especially technical routes and apprenticeships, are essential for levelling up. Providing high-quality education for sixth form and college students is essential if we want to see local people take higher paying jobs.
The Suffolk New College technology campus
The Suffolk New College technology campus funding skills and further education to kickstart Levelling Up Ipswich.
Today I visited the Suffolk New College technology campus, which is one of 11 projects receiving a total of £25 million in funding from the government’s town regeneration fund.
Skills are an essential component of levelling up our region, and funding for state-of-the-art resources is designed to ensure local students have access to high quality technical routes – that’s why Suffolk New College is receiving almost £1 million of funding, to support provision of apprenticeships and technical further education.
As well as new equipment, funding is being dedicated to the Suffolk New College Ipswich site, which will house a net zero campus, a tribute to our prioritisation of sustainable development, opening in the new year and admitting students from September 2022. Hydrogen power will fuel learning at the Suffolk New College campus, with potential links to the first hydrogen powered freeport. Fostering the connection between further education and exciting technical opportunities, as will be created by Freeport East, is essential: I’m excited to see local people benefit from the host of skilled technical roles injected into the local economy.
This tech camp is the first of its kind locally, with a revolutionary digital focus which enables students to pursue relevant skills and higher education which links to exciting, technically skilled careers. It’s important that children have access to high quality technical education, and an awareness of such valuable routes, from a young age.
Suffolk New College is at the heart of creating pathways for local people – the involvement with Spirit Yachts to teach hands-on courses for 16-18 year olds and beyond provides scope to train the next generation of boat builders, who will be able to take full advantage of new job opportunities in the maritime industry. I’m proud to see the potential to increase upskilling for local people, which is an essential part of levelling up the entire community.
Cliff Lane Primary School
Pleased to see Cliff Lane Primary School, which has been awarded a Woodland Trust Gold award. It’s great to see educators encouraging environmental awareness and inspiring outdoors activity, getting involved in planting and even considering maintaining a beehive.
The school is engaging in some great methods to ensure SEND provision, with teachers offering support in afternoon intervention work to prioritise student progress. It’s heartening to see a school putting so much emphasis on positive impact.
There have been issues with speeding outside the school, which I’m sure many of the parents will share my concerns about – I am looking to make sure road security measures are established to remedy this.
Also met the school council and the student librarians, who are doing a great job!
Roundtable discussion with Head Teachers
This morning I went to a roundtable discussion with head teachers from across Ipswich, Partnership Board representatives and local practitioners. Was great to have a ministerial visit from Will Quince, Minister for Children and Families, who emphasised the importance of schools incorporating enrichment activities alongside academic focuses to improve all-round progress. I am particularly impressed with the success of ‘Thrive’, a SEND initiative which sees specialised well-being support provided to students – and am glad to hear this is being extended.
Ipswich is one of 12 areas nationally to receive extra funding as a targeted “opportunity area”, designed to unlock the potential of England’s young people – demonstrating the government’s commitment to levelling up our region and putting education at the heart of the agenda. While this dedicated funding was initially a 3 year commitment, I’m delighted at the recent news to extend the provision.
There is a collective responsibility for children in Ipswich, and I was reassured to see the commitment from around the table to prioritising education and ensuring the best outcomes in Ipswich schools.
Minister for Children and Families Visit
Delighted to show the Minister for Children and Families – which covers special needs – the fantastic new facilities at Copleston High School to support pupils in years 7-11 with learning disabilities. I’m pleased with the rapid progress on this new unit, a facility which has been made a reality by government investment. In our conversation today, Minister Will Quince articulated the government’s commitment to ensuring every child is able to fulfil their potential.
Following the disappointing Suffolk SEND review, making sure we turn around the local provision for children with special educational needs is a priority for me. Better provision in mainstream settings, alongside improved special schools, presents an essential combined approach to give every child with special educational needs the route which is best suited to them.
Inspire Centre
For the second summer in a row I visited the Inspire Centre on Lindbergh Road today. . Last summer Ipswich was a pilot for the Holiday activities and food programme and now its been extended across the country its back again this summer.
Eligible children are entitled to 15 days of food and activities over the summer holiday. I was very pleased when the Government announced their intention to turn the pilots into a more permanent scheme and that the great work I saw last summer could be continued.
I think its important that as many young people as possible many who have missed lots of time at school are able to benefit from these sorts of activities and programmes. Good for both physical and mental health, learning and of course they get a nutritious meal.
Well done to everyone at Inspire Suffolk who is working so hard to make this happen. And the goalie who managed to save 2/3 of my questionable penalties.
Special Educational Needs
I am very pleased to have received this reply from the Prime Minister, following my letter on better support for prisoner education and an increase in recognition on the link between special educational needs (SEN) and crime. I am glad that since my original letter to the Prime Minister, where I outlined the importance of SEN education and cutting crime, I have held promising talks in Number 10 with key advisors on this vital issue. I am also encouraged by the positive engagement shown by the Prime Minister in the form of this detailed response.
While the Prime Minister’s letter does not go quite as far as I would like, it is encouraging that he recognises the connection between prisoners and the support for students with SEND.
I think it is vitally important that all prisoners have a meeting with an educational psychologist and receive any diagnosis for learning conditions, in order for us to fully understand the large scale of the problem and of course to be able to tailor prison education to their needs. I will continue to work hard for this end goal. We must make sure that the education system supports all styles of learning and does not marginalise students who ignore school and are more likely to turn to a life of crime.
This letter is a positive step and I hope that it elevates the importance of SEND and increased funding. I will continue my important work on the Education Select Committee on this subject and will endeavour to see action is taken over the coming months.