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Article by Cllr Lisa Chambers for the Newmarket Journal:

I am very pleased to have the chance to explain directly to readers why we must take this great opportunity to decisively improve our local schools.

I am a Suffolk County Councillor, and more importantly, a parent of two children who attend local primary and middle schools. I am absolutely convinced that the major, but very careful planned changes we are proposing for our schools, are the right ones to give all Suffolk children a better future. If I thought there was any serious risk of disrupting or damaging those childrens’ chances at school, I would say so, believe me this impacts on my family and childrens’ life chances too!

I realise I am in a good position to understand all the information, and all the issues raised, as I have served on the panel that made these proposals right from the start. I am sure that if any one of you had followed all the arguments as I have, you would have come to the decision that we must not let our children down by missing this chance. I appeal to all parents (and other concerned local residents) to please take the time to look at the evidence, and understand just what our proposals mean for children now and in the next few years.

The evidence is very clear that the three-tier system simply doesn’t match the standards achieved generally in the two-tier school areas. This is crucial: I will not be party to accepting a system which doesn’t give our children the best start, when we have a once-in-a-generation chance to improve it. I’m also convinced that the gap between the two systems will get worse, as teaching and learning expertise, staff careers and investment, is all geared to primary-secondary systems which are nearly universal in England.

I want to emphasise, however, that this is to do with school structure – the number of times and their ages when children change schools and how those moves fit in with the national curriculum and tests. It has nothing to do with the quality of teaching, learning and school leadership.

A further massive reason why we must seize the chance to improve things now, is that there are literally hundreds of millions of pounds of public money available to Suffolk for school buildings in the next five years. So our choice is a very stark one indeed: improve the system now and use national investment to help with it, or stick with a lesser deal for our children and perhaps lose or delay a lot of money for improved school buildings.

The review will not add to the Council’s costs, nor will it add to council taxpayers’ bills. Education is paid for by the Designated Schools Grant, this is a ring fenced grant from central government and is not paid for through the Council Tax. Changing to a two-tier system provides a cost effective solution compared to the other options considered for change.

These are some other examples why I believe it is important we carry forward the review:

• 85% of three-tier schools are significantly below the national average for progress made by pupils between ages 7 and 11. The figure for two-tier schools is 12%.
• Suffolk is in the bottom 25% of all authorities for mathematics at Key Stage 2 (119 out of 150 in 2005).
• The lower performance in three-tier schools at age 11 is never completely made good for all pupils.
• Academic performance in two-tier schools is better than in three-tier schools on key measures such as 5+ A* - C GCSE results and GCE A - level results.
• There is not a single subject where the three-tier schools exceed the performance of two-tier schools at GCSE, despite specialist subjects being taught for two extra years in the three-tier system.
• The number of pupils staying on in further education in the three-tier system is significantly lower than that in the two-tier.
• The aim of the review is to improve education achievement – and therefore opportunities - for all pupils across the county.
• The review is being managed carefully and gradually. We will pay special attention to ensuring that the education of every child is protected.
• The review is based on extensive research of the highest quality, much of which is externally validated, over a 12-month period.
• Moving to a two-tier system countywide would enable £4.4m to be re-invested in schools each year.
• Local communities and parents will be consulted on the pattern of schools in their area. Our plan is to develop a first class school system for Suffolk.
• We want to retain our good leaders, teachers and support staff and will be developing a programme of professional development for staff.

I would just like to finish with a rather personal note. I have had remarks made to me that if I persist in supporting the plans for improvement, I will not be supported at the next elections. Of course, how you vote is everybody’s free choice. But I became a councillor not to be famous, or gain any personal advantage, but rather because I am determined to fight to improve life for everyone here in the Newmarket area, and indeed in Suffolk as a whole. I want to do what I see is very clearly the right thing to do for our children, local families and the wider community. I would hope people will support a councillor who tries to do what is right. We all now have a great chance to make a very important contribution to the life chances of our children for generations to come.

Yours truly,

Councillor Lisa Chambers