We're failing youngsters, says Manchester Education Boss

4.15.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 10th Mar 2006

Manchester City Council is failing young teenagers, according to shocking admissions from its most senior education boss.

The Acting Chief Education Officer Julian Kramer admitted that the Council is not spending its money in the right areas to tackle the massive under-achievement of pupils aged 11-14 in our schools.

Speaking at a meeting this morning of the powerful Children's and Young People Scrutiny Committee, he also conceded that the Council does not provide enough extra teaching support to improve the poor results.

"Labour are not doing enough to improve attainment. Their failure to provide the right support from the City Council is an appalling let-down of our children," said Lib Dem Councillor Neil Trafford, a member of the Scrutiny Committee.  "It's clear that Manchester's Labour Council is letting our pupils down when it comes to achievement in schools. The Labour Councillor in charge of Education needs to act fast. Extra support must be given where it is needed to improve results in the city."

The Council's own report admitted that pupils aged 11-14 are performing well below the expected levels of progress. Labour Manchester failed to meet its 2005 targets in any subject area for Key Stage 3 (age 11-14). Compared with a range of similar councils, Labour Manchester's rate of improvement is among the lowest in the group.  

And value-added progress, according to experts, is below-average for maths and science.

Labour has also come under fire for rejecting Liberal Democrat plans to tackle poor results in our schools.  The Liberal Democrats put forward an extra £1 million to tackle truancy in our schools, but Labour voted down this plan.  

"By voting down this plan, Labour showed they can't be bothered to deal with the crisis in local schools." said Lib Dem Councillor Neil Trafford.  "Getting more children into lessons is key to getting results up in our schools. Our plans would have seen even more resources allocated to improving attendance rates in Manchester's schools, which are amongst the lowest in the country."

"Labour are tired and have run out of ideas for Manchester.  It's time for a change to a party with ideas to improve our city - the Liberal Democrats," continued Lib Dem Councillor Neil Trafford.

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