With the election looming, I have had a lot of requests to talk to schools and colleges about what happens, what I actually do within the election period, and my take on the national picture. On Friday, I popped into Rowan preparatory school in Claygate, to talk to their Year 6 girls. They are an […]
Read MoreOver the last week, I have been interviewed by pupils attending various different local schools, as part of the BBC School Report inititaive. It encourages budding young journalists to conduct interviews - not necessarily with MPs - and publish their films online. Today, it was the turn of Year 8 students at Hinchley Wood School, […]
Read MoreIf we want to broaden avenues of opportunities for youngsters, we need to make sure there are a healthy range of organisations providing a choice of educational pathways, particularly as pupils mature. With that in mind, I have joined the national campaign for fairer funding for local sixth form colleges. One easy way to achieve […]
Read MoreLast night, I spoke at the Friends of Molesey Library AGM about my experience of writing books and newspaper columns. A great local throng turned up, and they grilled me with questions afterwards. They were a really fun crowd. The Friends do a fantastic job of supporting Molesey library, and it was a real pleasure, […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I popped by Claygate Primary School, where headmaster Darryl Taylor introduced me to the FA Skills initiative on display. FA Coach Roxanne Bennett was showing an energetic group of boys and girls a number of drills to sharpen up their footy skills. It is part of a program to help strengthen grassroots football […]
Read MoreI have written a column for the Yorkshire Post, arguing we need to end the snobbery around the vocational route to success for youngsters. University has a key role to play in the education system. But, it’s not the only route to success. If we want to boost social mobility, make Britain more meritocratic, […]
Read MoreOn Sunday, I joined Reverend Philip Plyming at Holy Trinity Church in Claygate for Remembrance Sunday. This year, I feel it has been particularly poignant - perhaps it’s the fact we’re remembering the end of the Great War 100 years after the day on which it began. The local comemorations have been very powerful too. […]
Read MoreYesterday, I met up with Sybil Cary (head of ICT) and pupils from Milbourne Lodge school in Esher, in Parliament, for a ‘Get Girls Coding‘ event to encourage young girls to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (where they are under-represented in education and professionally). The girls showed me how to set up a […]
Read MoreLabour leader, Ed Miliband, is increasingly taking his cue straight from the playbook of egalitarian socialists like Thomas Piketty, who wrote Capital in the 21st Century. Writing in The Sunday Times, I point out why this egalitarian agenda is economically dangerous for Britain - and a political opportunity for the Conservatives. You can access the […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I went along to join Rosalita Edwards for the Sports Day at her (Ofsted ‘outstanding’) Montessori nursery in East Molesey. The competitive spirit spanned the generations, with races from toddlers to grandparents, and a cake competition on top of that. It was a particularly special occasion, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the nursery, and […]
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