Lib Dems launch national teachers pledge in Islington

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2001

Phil Willis MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary launched the Liberal Democratsí package for teachers at Hungerford Primary School in Islington last week. Mr Willis said: ìThe Liberal Democrats are committed to delivering a quality education for all children. That means increasing support for teachers to give them more time with children. ìTo do this, we will recruit more teachers, retain them and more importantly - value them. Our package for teachers will cut red tape and reduce class sizes to 25 for all primary school children. With well motivated teachers we can ensure every child gets the education they deserve.î The Liberal Democrats propose to: Reduce primary class sizes to an average of 25 - by funding the additional teachers required to the 12,500 additional primary school teachers (based on House of Commons Library estimates) needed to reduce class sizes to this level. Provide a classroom assistant for every infant class - by funding the additional 25,000 classroom assistants (based on House of Commons Library estimates) which will ensure one assistant for every class at Key Stage 1 (5-7 year olds). Introduce paid preparation hours for primary school teachers - by providing extra teachers to reduce the contact time for existing staff, guaranteeing all primary teachers two extra paid hours each week for preparation and planning. Pay trainee teachers a full pro-rata training salary - based on the first point on the teachers pay scale including pension and national insurance contributions. Cut red tape - by removing all national targets and replacing with a requirement for schools to develop their existing individual education plans. The implementation of a statutory requirement for the DfEE to annually review all material distributed through the department and its agencies will also ensure that any irrelevant documentation is withdrawn. Increase funding for books and equipment by an additional 5 per pupil per year. The average primary school would receive an additional 1,250 to spend on books and equipment. The average secondary school would receive an addition 4,250 to spend on books and equipment. Issue annual reports to parents on the schoolís performance - which by including value-added measures will ensure that league tables, so far as they are retained, accurately reflect the impact a school has made on each childís progress rather than crudely comparing each school.