8 September 2009
As someone who has, until very recently, spent all his working life in the teaching profession I passionately believe that education is all about giving people the chance to take control of their own lives - to be authors of their own life story.
I am encouraged by so much of what I see in the schools I'm lucky enough to be able to visit. I am confident that the quality of teaching now is higher than ever. I am certain that our children are working as hard as ever - and the effort, ambition and enjoyment I see in so many classrooms is vivid evidence of student commitment.
I was so pleased to discover last week that record numbers of our children are leaving school with record results. I am also convinced that parents - of every class and background - are more passionate than ever about securing a great education for their children - and the pressure on numbers at our very best schools underlines that.
Of course I also have profound concerns, like many others, about the testing and exam system we put our children through.
But none of this should take away from our young people who have worked so hard to achieve these excellent results. We are certainly not going to be resting on our laurels and we need to do more to raise the aspirations of our children and their families. It is everyone’s responsibility that our children do well. After all you only get one chance of getting it right with a child!
Cllr Peter Thompson
Leader
London Borough of Hounslow
