Our future: children and young people
We need children in Luton “exploding their potential” in the words of one local teacher. Now is exactly the time to invest in them. I know we can unlock the potential of many more young people in Luton through better education and youth projects in every community.

A world-class education system for every child

 

A better future for Luton means motivated, skilled and ambitious young people. Now is exactly the time to invest in them for the long-term.

  • We must invest in building a world-class education system for every child. If we choose to, we could have class sizes of fifteen children, the best trained and supported teachers and free higher education, to rival any country in the world.
  • I’ll speak up for more funding for Luton and South Bedfordshire schools, and more places for students at the University of Bedfordshire to give more people from all backgrounds the opportunity of higher education.
  • We should start children off in a more equal society and support free school meals, free bus passes and an equal Education Maintenance Allowance for all.
  • I will personally be a positive force for change locally. I will put myself forward for the board of governors for those schools which are performing least well in Luton South. Building Schools for the Future is very important and I’ll make sure it continues and is successful.

 

Developing children, not just passing exams

 

Our education system must be about developing everyone for adult life, involving parents, employers, and the whole community. Education should develop a love of learning.

  • I want to change the criteria for success – it’s about much more than exams. We should scrap SATS and not examine children three years in a row at GCSE, AS and A Level.
  • I believe we should support teachers and develop their talents more, setting them free to make learning more captivating for all children.
  • We need to learn about each other and in Luton I would like to see more local youth projects in and out of school, where possible bringing together different communities. This would include involving Luton’s young people more in local regeneration and crosscommunity projects from an early age. It will build character and civic pride, and increase their understanding of Luton and its people.
  • We need to show children the value of education and broaden their horizons. Building on my charity experience, I want local schoolchildren to have more links with children in poorer countries.

 

Vocational and work-related education

 

To prepare children for work and to keep more children motivated, we must build greater links between education and work.

  • We should have much better training in vocational subjects from 14 and up into higher education, preparing young people for a future of employment
  • The quality of vocational training should be on a par with that of academic education from secondary school through to higher education.
  • We need much better careers advice in schools to open children’s eyes to the world of jobs.
  • Locally, I’ll help encourage local businesses to come into schools and inspire children what kinds of jobs are available and they real-world skills they really need

 

 

See what I want to achieve and see what I stand for on the major issues facing Luton and our country.
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