DR BEN SPENCER MP
A good education is absolutely essential for our children’s futures. In our response to the pandemic we are rightly prioritising keeping schools open and I thank all the teachers and school staff for the incredible work they have done over the past year.
We have seen locally the consequence of current covid testing and isolation rules in schools and nurseries. Parents will know full well the impact on their children and families of entire school year groups having to isolate for two weeks. I was pleased to be able to raise this with the Prime Minister recently, who agreed that teachers and schools should be prioritised for covid testing to minimise disruption. I am now requesting information on how and when that may be rolled out to our schools.
Delivering consistency in education amid such uncertainty and upheaval is incredibly difficult, especially for those students due to sit exams in the summer. The disruption to education has led to missed learning, and it impacts on pupils’ confidence and ability to plan for the future. We must not let the challenges of covid limit the opportunities for this generation of school children
Support has been provided for those most in need through free IT equipment and some additional school funding, and the recent confirmation that exams will continue with contingency measures in place will go some way to provide reassurance. However, we know challenges remain.
Those who know these challenges best are our teachers, which is why last month I met with school and college leaders from across the constituency to hear first-hand the challenges they are facing and what they need most to continue providing the quality education our children deserve. Of course, more money would always be helpful, but their message in particular was the need for long term planning so they could prepare and support students in the coming year, while ensuring and results awarded are fair to all.
I will continue to work with the Department for Education to address the full list of issues raised and engaging with local schools, teachers, and parents for the benefit of all students in Runnymede and Weybridge.