Nick Gibb MP, visits Northease
Nick Gibb MP, Shadow Minister for Schools, visited Northease Manor on Monday 7th April. The school has been recognised by Ofsted as a centre of excellence for the education of potentially able pupils who have severe Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia).
Nick was met by Paul Stanley (Headmaster), Bob Cairns (Chairman of Governors) and Shirley Edwards (Chairman of the Education Committee). A full tour of the school was given, along with the opportunity to meet staff and pupils.
Nick was met by Paul Stanley (Headmaster), Bob Cairns (Chairman of Governors) and Shirley Edwards (Chairman of the Education Committee). A full tour of the school was given, along with the opportunity to meet staff and pupils.
Present Government policy on meeting Special Education Needs was discussed, including the need to provide effective early intervention, the successful role of special schools, the question of funding by Local Authorities and the waste of resources that is poured into the Tribunal system, why Statements of Special needs are so important to parents and the long term cost to society when students’ needs are not met appropriately.
There was agreement that the current Government appeared to be hostile to independent special schools, demonstrated by the introduction of extra charges and the withdrawal of DfES Approval under Section 347 of the Education Act which had always been seen as a kitemark of excellence. The Prime Minister had recently expressed his passion for education and yet his ministers were distancing themselves from schools such as Northease Manor which provided “outstanding value for money” and enabled previously failing pupils to make “outstanding progress” (Ofsted 2007).
Nick Gibb expressed his support for schools such as Northease Manor and would speak up for them in the forthcoming debate in the House of Commons.
There was agreement that the current Government appeared to be hostile to independent special schools, demonstrated by the introduction of extra charges and the withdrawal of DfES Approval under Section 347 of the Education Act which had always been seen as a kitemark of excellence. The Prime Minister had recently expressed his passion for education and yet his ministers were distancing themselves from schools such as Northease Manor which provided “outstanding value for money” and enabled previously failing pupils to make “outstanding progress” (Ofsted 2007).
Nick Gibb expressed his support for schools such as Northease Manor and would speak up for them in the forthcoming debate in the House of Commons.
