Education is vital to create a stable and inclusive society for the future. Everyone has a role to play and should have the opportunity to learn. The Green Party recognises that we all learn in different ways and rates, from our parents, school, college, university, or work.

In Sheffield

The quality of education in the city is increasingly polarised. Opportunities and access depends on where you live and what you can afford. This applies to all learning from early years through schools, colleges, the youth service and career guidance, universities and adult services. We want to end these divisions and achieve greater local democratic control and scrutiny across all sectors.

Our education system should not only benefit the economy but should help us develop to the full: mentally, physically and socially. It should teach us how to cope with a changing society and to relate to each other whatever our social and cultural differences. It is not about targets and league tables, but about helping us become capable, happy, well-motivated people who are equipped to participate in society and who see learning as a lifelong journey.

The gap between the best and worst standards in education across the city is widening. Opportunities and access depend on where you live and what you can afford. This applies to all learning from early years through schools, colleges, the youth service and career guidance, universities and adult services. We want to end these divisions and achieve greater local democratic control and scrutiny across all sectors.

Services for the under-fours, which were previously run through SureStart, are coming under Council supervision. SureStart must remain community-centred and be not placed in a bureaucratic straitjacket. Some schools are being moved into private Trusts whilst others are gaining more independence.

This increases the stress on teachers who have more paperwork and less time for teaching. Volunteer school governors need to have sufficient support to do their duties. School meals are poor and do not offer the nutritional value for pupils to develop physically or mentally. Schools have restrictive quotas to limit exclusions. This means that some alienated young people are denied the support they need and may continue to disrupt the education of others.

Sheffield has fewer students in post-16 education than the national average. The Education Maintenance Allowance paid to poorer students by the Government is welcomed, but uptake needs to increase. Colleges still receive less money per student than sixth forms for the same courses. The under-funded youth service fails to meet the needs of most young people. Many have little to do in the evenings and during holidays.

Careers guidance is not given to all those who need it and so many do not know what options are available and so do not fulfil their potential. The universities in the city are popular, but we need to consider the issues of student debt and how we can attract a more diverse intake. Adult education/training should value all learners whether they are learning practical skills, academic qualifications or studying for social or recreational reasons.

Schools have restrictive quotas to limit exclusions. This means that some alienated young people are denied the support they need and may continue to disrupt the education of others. Sheffield has fewer students in post 16 education than the national average. The Education Maintenance Allowance paid to poorer students by Government is welcomed but uptake needs to increase. The colleges still receive less money per student than sixth forms for the same courses.

The under funded youth service fails to meet the needs of most young people. Many have little to do in the evenings and during holidays. Careers guidance is not given to all those who need it and so many are not informed of their choices and do not fulfil their potential. The universities in the city are popular, but we need to consider the issues of student debt and how we can attract a more diverse intake. Adult education/training should value all learners whether they are learning practical skills, academic qualifications or studying for social or recreational reasons.

What we have done so far:

• Backed the school meals campaign.
• Argued for keeping schools within LEA control.

As Green City Councillors we will:

• Fight to keep local community involvement in the management of SureStart services.
• Oppose the creation of new academies and trusts, keeping schools under the control of the Council.
• Oppose the removal of schools or services such as admissions from Local Education Authority control.
• Press for all schools to cook their own school meals with healthy locally bought food.
• Campaign for more resources for all education in the city and ensure that everyone has equal access and opportunities.
• Campaign for the abolition of SATs , league tables and the compulsory National Curriculum