Local Politics National Politics

A massive thank you to our teachers

Today is the last day of school before children break up for a long and hopefully enjoyable summer holiday. I just wanted to pay tribute to our amazing teachers all across Wakefield as these holidays begin. Your hard work certainly means more children are gaining the skills and knowledge they need for a bright future. As a governor for two local schools, I see the results of your efforts day in and day out, and I will never fail to be impressed.

Many young people in Wakefield will be awaiting their exam results, but you can all rest assured that your hard work will pay off. As a country, we are incredibly lucky to have the wonderful teachers we do, and their teaching along with your ambitions and hard work will surely be reflected in this year’s results. Now that exams are over, you should enjoy your holiday and take a well-deserved break.

2078 more children in Wakefield are now in schools rated good or outstanding, compared with 2010, and 1.9 million more children are attending good or outstanding schools nationally. 85 per cent of schools are now rated good or outstanding, up from 68 per cent in 2010. In fact, one of the schools I am a governor for is now rated outstanding by Ofsted, thanks to the incredible work put in by the head teacher and governors. 

Literacy levels have been rising since the introduction of the phonics screening check in 2012, meaning more children are mastering the fundamental skills they need. In 2012, 58 per cent of 6-year olds in reached the expected level in reading nationally, compared with a whopping 82 per cent last year. 

Reforms to the curriculum mean more pupils are studying the core, academic subjects they need to get on and disadvantaged students are more likely to go to university than ever before. Simultaneously, reforms to apprenticeships mean young people have quality, vocational options as they await their GCSE and A-Level results.

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