The APPG for Education recently held its annual lunch with Angela Rayner MP as guest speaker. Introduced by co-chair Andrea Jenkyns MP, who entered the Commons as the same time as Ms Rayner, guests were welcomed to the lunch and heard about the APPG’s recent activities.
Ms Rayner spoke of the Labour Party’s proposal for a National Education Service. She told APPG members and industry stakeholders how she is developing plans to see a fully funded education system with pupils at its heart, and changes made when advised by those with the teaching expertise, as opposed to Ministers or civil servants. She stated that she saw investment in education as an investment in the future of our country.
Ms Rayner also told the lunch that she thought it was essential that education professionals continue to make their voices heard to ensure adequate funding for the future.
Rayner stressed the importance of developing skills to aid people in the changing workplace and how she believe it is vital that people have the opportunity to study at any point during their lives – a point echoed by co-chair Andrea Jenkyns.
Ms Rayner also spoke of the value of Ed Tech in the classroom, and how it can assist to reduce teacher workload as well as provide valuable support for SEND pupils. She felt that Ed Tech was not being used to its maximum effect and wanted to work with industry professionals to make improvements.
Also discussed during the subsequent question and answer session was the widening of the curriculum, academisation and the role of MATS.
Caroline Wright, Director General of BESA, gave the vote of thanks to the Shadow Secretary of State for Education. She echoed the thoughts of those in the room that Ms Rayner’s speech had been entertaining and enlightening and the APPG looks forward to continuing the dialogue with the Shadow Education team. 