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Jeremy Corbyn Labour leader: What does this mean for schools?

Jeremy Corbyn has been elected leader of the Labour Party after a landslide victory this morning. But what does this mean for schools?

First of all, Labour will be getting a new shadow education secretary.

Tristam Hunt has already ruled himself out of serving in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet because of “substantial political differences”.

Mr Corbyn had previously questioned Labour’s education policies during the election campaign as “too comfortable and timid”.

And speaking to education campaigner Fiona Millar in the Guardian earlier this year he made it clear he does not support the principles of free schools and academies.

Tristram Hunt has ruled out serving in Corbyn's shadow cabinet
Tristram Hunt has ruled out serving in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet

Instead he wants to bring all schools “back into the local authority orbit”.

The Islington North MP talked of “rebuilding the family of education” and said he thinks local authorities could oversee and provide supplementary support resources for schools.

He also suggested local authorities should be allowed to build new schools again.

Mr Corbyn has also floated the idea of looking again at pre-school education, bringing back the education maintenance allowance and providing more support for further education colleges.

He opposes school league tables, wants fewer tests in schools and has expressed a desire to see all grammar schools become comprehensives, with the 11-plus scrapped.

“Labour has always been too nervous of upsetting vested interests and the old school network,” he told the Guardian.

“We need to be bolder about all children having an equal chance, proud of the idea of first-rate community comprehensive education and encourage a diverse mix of pupils in all our schools”.

Corbyn also wants to set up a National Education Service – which would be modelled similar to the NHS.

We need to be bolder about all children having an equal chance

It would be free at the point of use, starting with universal free childcare and involves an expansion of adult education funding. (You can read more here)

He’s a big fan of scrapping university tuition fees, in favour of grants, too.

A statement on his website reads: “I am determined to see that all young people get the chance to go to college or university and make the best of their lives. I remain concerned about tuition fees which I voted against and will continue to support students’ needs at every opportunity. ”

He’s also written to the government to urge the introduction of sex and relationship education in schools and told Nicky Morgan “we are expecting too much from teachers which is affecting their mental and physical health”.

He said the issue needs to be address with smaller class sizes and more time for teachers to prepare lessons.

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7 Comments

    • Martha Toogood

      Corbyn speaks the views of many people in this country and will, I hope, form the next government. Until that time there needs to be proper debating about how the education system in this country is being run withe clear understanding that the Tory way is not the only way!

  1. Zainab Nigoumi

    About time too. Go Jeremy! Priorities for spending need rebalancing. Investing in EVERYONES real follow through continuous educational opportunities is the bedrock of a steady, open minded, creative and industrious. Dampening spirit and controlling opportunities to explore ideas has brought this country to its knees almost. Time to stand up, start feeling strong and positive.

  2. David Songhurst

    Ay last someone who cares about the education of our children. There is no evidence based on sound research that Free Schools and Academies have improved the quality of education for the majority of school children. This has simply been a move by the Conservatives to privatise our education system. Jeremy Corbyn is right to put schools back under the control of local authorities who are at least accountable to the parents and public. Well done Jeremy.

  3. Education need reform. Many children can not find school places. All schools are oversubscribed.Parents have no choice except home education or private school if they can afford it. Many school children are way below their level.