Launch of 4Rs commission on Primary Education

6.08.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 13th Jun 2006

Sarah Teather - "Language skills are essential if we want pupils to express themselves with confidence and improve their learning and behaviour. But children's speaking and listening skills seem to be deteriorating year on year."

The Liberal Democrats today announced the launch of a '4Rs commission' to encourage innovative thinking on primary education policies. The commission, which will be independent of the parliamentary party will be chaired by Dr Bethan Marshall, senior lecturer in education at King's College London and includes former children's TV presenter Floella Benjamin.

The neglect of the '4th R' - articulation, will be among the commission's priority topics. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said "Mountains of tests and targets for reading, writing and arithmetic have led to neglect of vital speaking and listening skills among our youngest children."

Continuing Sarah went on to say "Language skills are essential if we want pupils to express themselves with confidence and improve their learning and behaviour. But children's speaking and listening skills seem to be deteriorating year on year."

"The debate on education has become far too narrow with politicians spending weeks arguing which type of phonics schools should be compulsory, whilst losing sight of the bigger picture. A 5-year old who enters school with a limited vocabulary is going to struggle to succeed with the government's literacy strategy. Knowing words and speaking in sentences is the first step to literacy. It's paramount that children have those skills if they are going to read effectively, express their views and grow up to be confident individuals."

"I am very excited to have expert help to bring some fresh thinking to our policy making. The aim of this commission is to be free from the constraints of the political debate to do some really innovative thinking."

Notes

The accompanying website www.4Rs.org.uk <http://www.4Rs.org.uk> allows members of the public to submit suggestions for topics the commission should investigate and individuals they think they should hear from. It will also post updates about the progress of the commission throughout the period it is at work.

Members of the commission:

Dr Bethan Marshall (Chair), literacy expert from King's College London.

Prof Mike Askew, director of the Doctor in Education programme at King's College London and expert in Maths education.

Floella Benjamin, TV presenter and long time worker for children and education charities.

Dr John Howson, a former teacher, currently visiting professor at Oxford Brookes. He runs an education research business, Education data surveys, which analyses teacher recruitment. John is a regular contributor to the TES.

Cllr James Kempton, leader of Islington Council and LGA spokesperson on Young People.

The commission will request evidence from experts, academics, "providers" and "consumers" of all aspects of primary education - much like a select committee.

The commission will seek contributions from: youth theatres, parent governors, educational psychologists, mathematicians, children's authors, teaching unions, childcare experts, current teachers, musicians, artists, nutritionists, children's TV producers, scientists,

educationalists from overseas and young people.

The commission is aiming to produce a final report in Spring 2007 that will summarize its findings and outline the ideas they believe should be taken forward.

Related Link:

Visit the 4Rs web page at www.4Rs.org.uk.