Labour education manifesto
The education system should offer learning opportunities that meet the needs of individual children, Ruth Kelly has said.
Speaking on Thursday, the education secretary urged schools to work with parents to meet the needs of their children.
Her comments came as Labour detailed its education policies at a new city academy in east London.
Stakeholder Response: National Union of Teachers (NUT)
Steve Sinnott, NUT general secretary, said: "A more tailored curriculum, smaller groups and one to one teaching would bring great benefits to pupils. The NUT has long argued for smaller classes, personalized learning and a reduction in the prescribed curriculum. Such an approach comes at a cost.
"Reducing class sizes requires more teachers, as does one to one teaching. Time and resources are needed if the curriculum is to be tailored to each child’s needs.
"Falling rolls in primary schools gives the government the chance to allow these changes to happen, particularly as the lower pupil numbers feed through into secondary schools.
"A similar opportunity was thrown away by a previous government which preferred to
make teachers redundant.
"Falling rolls offer a great opportunity for the country. This government should use it to make these reforms possible.
"The whole curriculum needs reviewing to give teachers more time to use their
professionalism for the benefit of the children in their classes and enable schools to innovate."
Stakeholder Response: Secondary Heads Association (SHA)
Dr
"The government has shown real commitment to reduce the bureaucracy associated with accountability. Now is the time to put words into action.
"The government's policy of greater choice and diversity has created a multi-tier system in which the most popular schools are encouraged to expand and schools in difficult circumstances are placed under even greater pressure.
"If the specialist school policy is working, then it should be working for all schools and pupils, not just a select minority.
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