You will all be aware, I am sure, that the Prime Minister has called a general election which will take place on 4th July 2024. Here in school, we will be helping students to engage with the issues at stake, including running a mock election to give all students the opportunity to cast a vote. Canvassing for all the major political parties will be managed by our A-level politics students, giving them a great opportunity to put their learning into practice.

In this blog, however, I am writing to all those eligible to vote in the “real” election on July 4th – all those who are registered voters. We recognise that we serve a rich and diverse community which will encompass the full range of political views, and you will all have issues which matter to you that will influence your vote.

I would ask all voters – no matter your political persuasion – to consider education issues as part of your decision-making. Please ask your local candidates how their parties will support schools with the key challenges facing our sector at the moment: insufficient funding for schools, a fractured and under-resourced system for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), an overstretched system to support child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS), and a national teacher recruitment and retention crisis. If you meet your candidates, please ask them: 

• The nation’s children should be provided with a broad curriculum, great support and enriching activities. Is your party willing to fund schools properly so our children have the same opportunities as previous generations?
• What evidence is there that the education policies in your manifesto will make a positive difference to all children, especially those experiencing disadvantage?
• What will your party do to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are properly supported in their education and care? 
• What will your party do to ensure that mental health services for young people are properly funded and able to cope with demand?
• The current government has consistently missed the targets for teacher recruitment over recent years. What are you going to do to ensure your party will hit the teacher recruitment targets in the future?

I have also been involved with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) who have designed a manifesto to promote education issues to all political parties under the banner #EducationMatters. You can read the manifesto here.

Finally, it is worth remembering that we are fortunate to live in a democracy where every citizen has the right to help choose representatives to govern us in parliament. I would urge every member of our school community who is eligible to exercise their democratic right and responsibility to vote on July 4th.