Webchat with Tristram Hunt, Labour education shadow, MONDAY 27 April at 12 midday

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to announce that the first of our (three!) politics webchats this week will be with Tristram Hunt, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Labour candidate for Stoke-on-Trent Central.

As Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram has been been involved in policy issues ranging from teachers’ qualifications, free schools, and partnerships between state and private schools, to vocational education and leadership in education. He also got into a spot of bother concerning nuns when on BBC Question Time recently.

Tristram is also a history lecturer at Queen Mary University London, and has published several books, as well as presenting TV programmes about the English Civil War and Isaac Newton.

Do join us on Monday 27 April at 12pm for a live webchat with Tristram or post your questions in advance on this thread. And please remember our usual webchat guidelines.

Thanks
MNHQ

It's unfortunate that Mr Hunt is doing his webchat at a time when most teachers will be teaching.

Please answer the questions, Tristram. Teachers have been hard hit by Michael Gove and are looking for an alternative. This is a perfect opportunity for you to persuade us to vote for Labour.

Class sizes of 30? We had those. Unless there was an appeal, when schools had up go over PAN anyway.

Performance management? You do realise that we have this now, don't you??

Teachers are not stupid. If you answer in meaningless banal sound-bites-they will probably vote Green...

What actual changes can you offer education?

What is your policy on post 16 education - given that all pupils have to stay in education or training or do an apprenticeship until the age of 18 would a Labour government provide adequate funding to ensure that courses are provided for all abilities and not just for those aiming for university.

Hello
I have a daughter who (grades permitting ) will be going to university in September 2015, so I was delighted to hear that you would reduce fees to 6000pa from Sept 2016, but can you tell me whether this will apply to those who are already at university then? Or would she be better off taking a gap year?

I'm an early years practitioner and have worked both as a Nursery Teacher - in London where they have nursery schools and classes! - and in other settings.
I've often worked for poor pay and with insecure contracts, particularly since moving outside of London (and having my own DC and seeking P/T work)

If you win the election - which I hope you will with support from more progressive parties - do you have plans for the support and effective resourcing of provision for the early years sector?

They seem to be leading the way in early years practice in Scandinavia which I feel contributes strongly to why these countries are leaders in any educational league tables - of course even for much older children

Investment in the early years makes a difference for life, and for the whole family too

Hi Tristram

Michael Gove apparently has a handwritten list of Plantagenet monarchs who he thinks every British schoolchild should know about.

What one thing from British history pre-1914 would you say every schoolchild needs to know about?

Do you, personally, believe in the fundamental principles that lie behind comprehensive education?

Where do you think, in the world, has the best education system?

(Only out of interest, because I don't necessarily believe that the economy of the future will reward those who emulate the "best" education of today, even if everyone agreed on what it was!)

What are Labour's plans for Free Schools, particularly the ones open or approved to open in Sept 2015 or 2016 which are in areas of need for school places?

Based on conversations with teachers that you have had, do you think teacher workload is reasonable?

Hi,

What are your political ambitions - in an ideal world, would you like to lead your party? Why/why not?

I'm not a teacher but from reading comments from teachers in MN over the years it seems the pressures on them increase all the time. This seems to have got a lot worse over the last 2 or 3 years and I read countless posts from teachers having nervous breakdowns, going off sick with stress or leaving the profession.

What does Hunt think Labour could do if they got into power to combat this?

@CamelHump

Also: Teacher workload has about tripled since I have been in teaching in the last 18 years. Students and teachers are scrutinised to death.

Could Mr Hunt explain why it is that teachers are micro managed so much, and also why education is considered such a political football. It changes at the whim of the current education secretary. Why are the people calling the shots not a panel of experienced people within the field of education, who know what they are talking about?

Reminder that we have a one question per user rule (plus follow up) - see our webchat guidelines to give everyone a fair chance - so best to pick the one question you want answered rather than ask multiple ones, or you'll reduce the odds of getting an answer to your preferred question.

My daughter is due to start school in September 2016 however the good schools that we would like her to attend are one form entry. We live 0.2 Miles from the school we want but it's impossible for people the same distance to get in. Surely it's time to expand the good schools to accommodate the expanding population? How can areas build hundreds of new homes but not expand schools?
I have no idea where my daughter will go but I will have a massive fight to try and get her a place at the good school. In fact, it's simple she won't be able to get one of the 30 places...

test

Hi
How can you be a Labour education minister and not rule out sending your DC to private school?

Hi, I’m here in MNHQ, looking forward to having our interactive education chat. Thanks for all your questions and keep them coming.

What will you do to even out school budgets across the country? Our county is right at the bottom of the pile and schools can't afford basics unless they're "lucky enough" to get lots of pupil premium money.

Ref: summer borns.

How would you resolve the issue at the moment that the Admissions Code is being inconsistently applied by different LEAs?

Some summer borns are able to start reception at CSA (the term after the child turns 5). Some are being forced to skip a year and go straight into Year 1.

What lessons could be learned from England, for those of us involved in the Scottish education system where inequality is endemic.

@butterflyballs

I'm really interested to know whether Tristram thinks the endless testing of pupils from such a young age removes essential teaching time from teachers and causes too much pressure on young children?

Does he think putting pressures on 10 year olds to be excelling academically will end up making some children resent school rather than enjoying learning because exams are being forced on them at such a young age.

Hello butterflyballs (which, incidentally, is one of my favourite Roscoe stories):

Trying to move away from the “exam factory” model of schooling of recent years is one of the essential challenges of the next Parliament. What we have to manage is a transparent account of pupils’ progress and attainment, whilst also crafting a space for creativity, innovation and happiness. So, whilst I approve of baseline testing to have an understanding of the level at which children enter primary school, the sometimes relentless focus on examinations amongst primary pupils can in the long run be injurious to their education.

@Sjmccormick76

With primary school places just being announced, some parents are still waiting to find out which year of entry their summer born children will be starting in after requesting a start in reception at compulsory school age (With many being forced to take a reception place too soon, or a year 1 place they do not want.). How will you address the problem of the School Admissions Code being applied inconsistently by admission authorities nationally and the discrimination parents of summer born children face who wish for their child to start at the beginning of school at compulsory school age?

Hi Sjmccormick76

This is a growing issue for many parents. We recently had the court ruling in Staffordshire on the school admission of a summer-born baby and we’ve also recently had a report from the education Select Committee on precisely this issue. I do think that this is something any incoming Secretary of State for Education will have to take a look at.

Here's Tristram, ready to get stuck into your questions.