Department of Education

 

Department of Education

The conundrum for the education system is that by the age of 12 or 13, it appears that children are not in the best place to receive education as it is currently provided.  The social aspects of schools become problematic.  Secondary school become a battle ground where successful teachers are the ones who can manage crowds, rather that deliver education.   This government would open a discussion to look at ways in which the education of teenagers could become more of an enlightened experience.

Early Years

This government will support the foundations of health, and wellbeing by putting an emphasis on systems of support around children and parents/carers in their early years.  This is when education, knowledge and information meet social care policies.  The department for Education, Health and social care will share the same strategic leadership.  Budgets will also be considered to be strategically used, not in competition.

Parents and carers, both fathers and mothers, will be encouraged to work part-time with assurances that this will have a minimal impact on their pay and progression in work.

Education will be based on the Finish model where formal education begins at the age of seven, and education before this is encouraged though community participation, with a focus on family and community relationships (social and play based learning using methods from Montessori, and Sneider). 

Formal education will be delivered in small local schools up to the aged of 13.  This experience will be seen as an opportunity for all children to be able to explore the differences in society, such as ethnicity, culture and religion.  Languages will be taught throughout this period to a high level of expertise with the aim that all children should be bilingual.

From 13, young people will be able to specialise based on the ability levels and learning needs.

The emphasis will be on ensuring that every child has an age where they can excel. Core subjects will also be taught (if these are not already being majored in.)  The focus will be on.

1)      Outdoor and physical education (including organised societies, sports clubs, charities, and uniformed groups)

2)      Creative arts and expression.

3)      Social, Health and wellbeing education, including the social sciences.

4)      Science and engineering.

5)      Classical education including History, Philosophy and Religion.

Education will be considered to operate under a modular form, like pieces of a jigsaw.  Each area will be considered to be important, and a ‘rounded education’ will be an aspiration.

Three main principles will apply to education.

1)      For children with ‘barriers to learning’, the social model of disability will apply.  Education will aim to be ‘needs led’ rather than ‘provision lead’, and bespoke packages of provision will be applied to all children.

2)      A model where the emotional state of the child is recognised (Green Amber Red) will be used to ensure that children are only actively participating in education when they are emotionally and psychologically able to do so.  This will also aim to protect the needs and rights of other children who are able to learn.  Provisions will be made in all areas to provide appropriate therapeutic support to children who are living with trauma and deprivation.  This will also be addressed with access to appropriate services.

3)      Children and parents/carers who want to use educational facilities to a high level will be encouraged to use locally organised contacts universities.

Educational provision will be free to the age of 13.  Beyond this age it to will be paid for, but will be subsidised and means tested to the age of 18.  University education will be maintained with fees that are capped.

Young people from the age of 14 will be able to have part-time employment. 

Higher Education.

The financing of higher education will become part of a national consultation and debate.  Subjects with high cultural capital, but low direct  financial security will be identified and supported.  National strategic planning will occur to incentives students to enter fields of study that will support the wider prosperity of the nation.  This will fit with a cross-party strategic workforce plan, and ensure that levels of immigration and emigration remain at a functional level (both are seen as important for the development of the country.)

Life Long Learning

This department will support the on-going an education and training of the whole population.  The department will link with DWP to ensure that skills are available in a timely manner to developments around the country.  This will be a priority from the earliest stage.