Academics and politicians met at London Met to discuss what the direction and the priorities should be for the new government in education.
Date: 19 March 2015
London Metropolitan University’s Institute for Policy Studies in Education (IPSE) organised a panel to discuss prospective education policy for the new government on Tuesday 17 March.
The event was the fourth seminar in the IPSE Dialogue Series which is intended to bring together politicians, academics, students, parents and other interested parties to discuss issues in education.
The coalition government and opposition parties were represented alongside Professor Diane Reay, a professor in education at the University of Cambridge.
Julian Gregory, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Islington North, talked about his party’s record on the pupil premium and policy to increase the pre-school pupil premium.
The Labour Party candidate for Mid Bedfordshire, Charlynne Pullen, who has also worked in Further Education, highlighted the low levels pay for apprentices and the importance of vocational learning.
Martin Francis, the Green Party candidate for Brent North spoke on regulation of education and in support of a new national council for education excellence.
An academic perspective was provided by Professor Reay, who is a former academic a London Metropolitan University, who spoke of the benefits of the Scandinavian model of education and the need to establish quality early years education.
On the event, Professor Carole Leathwood, Director of IPSE- and the event’s chair commented:
“The panel of speakers stimulated an excellent and wide-ranging discussion of key educational issues for the next Parliament, with the need to challenge the persisting inequalities in education at all levels probably the dominant theme of the evening. Next Government - please take note!”
IPSE is a groundbreaking research institute with a unique focus on education and social justice. The impact of IPSE’s research has been rated higher than any other post-92 university, with 40% rated 'world-leading' and 60% as 'internationally excellent'.
For more information on IPSE, it’s research and events go to the IPSE website.
