The Liberal Democrat Party launched their manifesto this morning. Here is the complete list of education pledges. Driving up school standards: The party say they will: – Protect the education budget in real terms from the early years to age 19. – Protect the schools’ Pupil Premium in real terms and introduce a fair National Funding Formula. – Provide support and intervention to ensure that all schools become good or outstanding. – Expand the Talented Head Teachers programme. – Increase the number of Teaching Schools. – Ensure there is a democratically accountable ‘middle tier’ to support schools where problems are identified. – Introduce a local Head Teacher Board, working with schools and local authorities. – Abolish unelected Regional School Commissioners. – Rule out state-funded profit-making schools. – Give local authorities responsibility for local school-place planning. – Only fund new mainstream schools in areas where school places are needed. – Repeal the rule that all new state-funded schools must be free schools or academies. – Allow local authorities to select the school sponsor, where this is not the local authority itself. – Ensure a fair local schools admissions process. – Implement the Children’s Commissioner’s report They Go The Extra Mile – Extend free school meals to all children in primary education. We will ensure there is world-class teaching The party say they will: – Guarantee all teachers in state-funded schools will be fully qualified or working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from September 2016. – Introduce a clear and properly funded entitlement to professional development for all teachers. – Raise the bar for entry to the profession, requiring a B grade minimum in GCSE maths and English. – Establish a new profession-led Royal College of Teachers, eventually to oversee QTS and professional development. – Continue to support the Teach First programme. – Establish a new National Leadership Institute. – Encourage primary schools to have at least one science specialist. On curriculum and qualifications: The party say they will: – Ensure the core curriculum will be taught at every state-funded school. – Establish an independent Educational Standards Authority (ESA) entirely removed from Ministerial interference responsible for curriculum and examination standards. – Introduce a minimum curriculum entitlement – a slimmed down core national curriculum, which will be taught in all state-funded schools. This will include PSHE, financial literacy, first aid and emergency lifesaving skills, citizenship, and age-appropriate sex and relationship education. – Religious education will be included in the core curriculum. – Improve careers advice in schools and colleges. For Special Education Needs (SEN) the party will: – Improve the identification of SEN and disability at the earliest possible stage.