A question of creative education

On Saturday Jeremy Corbyn and the Shadow Education Secretary, Angela Rayner, will bring people together from across the education system to roll up their sleeves and find innovative approaches to tackling disadvantage at school. This is the question I submitted as I fear the focus on STEM in schools is leaving our children at a disadvantage in the future workforce:

"Although core subjects like maths, english and science are important, I strongly feel creative subjects are just as vital for a rounded education that inspires all children, ensures we have imaginative and innovative adults in our future workforce and strengthens our cultural offer as a country.

How will the National Education Service ensure creative subjects are at the core of any future curriculum?"

One of my proudest achievements to date is the creation of Reading's Cultural Education Partnership which works with our cultural and artistic community to ensure children in Reading have the chance to experience good quality art and culture.

From A Levels to talking culture with the Vice-Chancellor

It's A level results day and I still remember getting my results.  They were handed out in sealed envelopes so you had the added stress of having to open the envelope to find out what they were.  It felt like the rest of my life was in that envelope - of course it wasn't and many things in the years since have had nothing to do with those slips of paper.

One thing that those results did influence was my relationship with the University of Reading.  I got the results I needed to accept my first choice course but, being contrary, I decided I wanted to accept my second choice and I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Rural Environmental Science in 2000.

Yesterday I returned to my former university to meet with Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell.  We were meeting to discuss the future of art and culture in the town.

I believe a close relationship with our university in very important to the future success of Reading.  It's a major employer and brings thousands of students into the town, many of whom stay and settle in Reading adding to the town's economy.

During our meeting it became apparent that Sir David Bell and I have similar ambitions for the town's cultural scene.  We both recognise that we are entering a very exciting period in the town's cultural development and acknowledge how hard our cultural groups, musicians and artists have worked over the past few years to make this happen.

The University has Reading International in progress and has recently opened the institute of Heritage and Creativity.  Town and gown have also worked together to gain joint National Portfolio Organisation status for the University's Museum of English Rural Life and Reading Museum.  I look forward to the university and council working together for many years to come.

Sir David Bell asked me what my main aims were for culture in the town and initially it's solving the communication problems we have.  Creating a single website that lists all that's going on is much needed as is the promotion of our Made In Reading offering in local restaurants, bars and, importantly, hotels.

We also had a quick chat about how we'd like to see the Reading Prison site developed.  Personally I'm keen to see the site used to enhance the town's historical and cultural offering.  The prison is a grade one listed building next to Reading abbey, which is a scheduled ancient monument, and the Green Flag winning Forbury Gardens.  Although I recognise a need for housing, and most importantly affordable housing, but I do no think the prison site is the right place for it.

When it comes to art and culture in Reading I am confident our relationship with the University will be a productive one and, together, we will achieve more than we ever could alone.

Reading Labour's Manifesto Commitments

You already know what I promise to do if re-elected (see here).  Here's what the Reading Labour Group will to do:

LABOUR’S COUNCIL ELECTION MANIFESTO

Labour’s manifesto for the Reading Borough Council elections on 22 May includes promises to keep Reading clean, promote sustainable transport, pursue all ways to provide more housing, invest in more primary and secondary schools, extend 20mph zones, build extra care housing and nursing projects.

Leader of the ruling Labour group on the council Councillor Jo Lovelock said: “Labour’s ambition is for Reading to be a town where everyone has the chance to succeed, to get on with their neighbours and to grow old securely.

“Labour is committed to well-run public services. We’ve done our best to protect the services that Reading people expect while we also have to deal with growing demand. People are living longer, needing more care and the rise in the birth rate means we need more school places.

“The council faces all these challenges with less and less money from central government and fewer staff. 

“Labour councillors in Reading are used to change and challenge, but never before have we faced such massive cuts like those from this Conservative-led government, propped up by the Liberal Democrats.

Click here to be taken to a copy of the Reading Banner

The manifesto includes pledges to:

·         keep Reading clean – with continuing deep cleans across the town and regular street sweeping.

·         promote sustainable transport – with more investment in our award winning bus service and measures to make cycling easier

·         pursue all ways to provide more housing – new council housing and work with the private rented sector

·         invest in more primary and secondary schools – in all areas of Reading, including Caversham and east Reading.

·         extend 20mph zones – extending areas in consultation with local residents

·         build extra care housing and nursing projects – offering more options for older people

·         continue to regenerate central Reading, including pressing for an early start on Station Hill and redevelop the old Civic Offices site

·         seek ways to improve local shopping centres

·         press for  action on the much-needed third Thames Bridge

·         continue to support and work in partnership with Reading’s much-valued voluntary sector

It also includes commitments to work with schools, colleges and businesses to ensure that young people acquire the skills and qualifications they need and to lead the partnership to tackle poverty across the town and provide advice and support to help escape the poverty trap. Lobbying will also continue for Lottery and other funding to develop the historic Abbey Ruins and Gateway site, including the newly vacated Reading Prison.

The manifesto details the sixteen Labour candidates across Reading, who include five sitting councillors seeking re-election including Mayor Marian Livingston and Lead Members John Ennis and Rachel Eden, a former Reading councillor and Mayor Richard Stainthorp seeking a return, two black candidates and two Asian candidates, nine women and another husband and wife duo in Debs Absolom standing in Norcot and husband David in Redlands.