CHRISTIAN WAKEFORD: Education figures a 'national disgrace'

I have fought since been elected to bring a much-needed high school to Radcliffe which has been used as a political pawn by the government for some time and I have left no stone unturned.

Therefore, I was pleased to learn from the Department for Education that a provisional date has been given of September 2024 on a temporary basis at the Spring Lane site with a transition eventually made from temporary buildings to the finished permanent buildings over the course of the construction of the school.

The delay had originally been caused by the department asking for a new business case for the school.

The department had not felt comfortable promising funding to Star Academies for the construction until “a suitable site upon which to construct and open a school in a way that provides good value for money".

The site intended for the new high school in Radcliffe (Image: Public)

This was frustrating for myself, the local authority, local councillors, and constituents in Radcliffe given the numerous business cases already presented and the work that had gone into making the case for a new school in Radcliffe.

This brings the opening of the school one step closer however the Secretary of State has yet to sign off on the funding of the new school, and up until this is confirmed in writing, I shall continue to make the case for the school.

The need for the school was made more stark as the All Party Parliamentary Group for Literacy reconvened this week in Parliament and I was duly elected chair.

The combination of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills - is essential to our happiness, health and wellbeing.

But in the UK today:

• at least seven million adults are functionally illiterate.

• one in six people has a literacy level below that expected of an 11-year old.

• 84 per cent of 11-year-olds achieve the expected levels for reading.

• 75 per cent of 11-year-olds achieve the expected levels for writing.

These figures are a national disgrace and something all parties need to be doing work to tackle.

The government, however, have vacated the field.

They seem completely lacking in any real interest in putting in place that kind of plan.

They point to gimmicks and headlines, but that’s not a proper plan for our children.

Labour would be different. We recognise the value of education.

We know how important it is to the success of our country and we will always make sure that our schools and the wider sector are recognised, valued and supported.

This outlook starts with a high school in Radcliffe and ends with our young people in Bury becoming the future we depend on and who knows, leaders of the future.