Category Archives: MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Woking MP Asks About Code Consultation
On February 11, 2016 the Schools Minister Nick Gibb responded to another MP who asked for an update on the Code consultation, but there was still no news: Jonathan Lord, Conservative MP, Woking: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, … Continue reading
Be Like Nick
@RDut24 #summerborn #BeLikeNick Meme by Rosie Dutton
DfE Confirms ‘New Year’ Code Consultation
In response to a written question from Wimbledon Conservative MP Stephen Hammond, the Schools Minister Nick Gibb has confirmed that, “Work is now underway to assess what other changes it might be appropriate to make to the Admissions Code. We … Continue reading
Summer Born Semantics are Not Out of the Woods Yet – Code’s Wording ‘Must’ Be Clear
I don’t mean to be the party pooper, but I’ve noticed something concerning (albeit perfectly fixable) in the DfE’s announcement today. Technically, we’ve been promised something we already have within the existing 2014 School Admissions Code: The Schools Minister’s open letter says, “We have, … Continue reading
New DfE Letter from Schools Minister tells Authorities: ‘Take Immediate Action’
The DfE has today published a letter from Nick Gibb, the Minister of State for Schools, addressed to all parents, local authorities, admission authorities and schools in England. Mr Gibb says, “We are going to make changes to admission rules – but … Continue reading
Minister Says School Admissions Code WILL Be Amended – and Summer Born Scandal Stopped
During a Parliamentary debate in the early hours of this morning, Schools Minister Nick Gibb publicly confirmed his intention to amend the School Admissions Code, hopefully putting an end to the education inequality and postcode lottery that currently exists for many summer … Continue reading
Summer Born Shake Up Front Page News
“School shake up to help pupils born in summer” is the headline on the front page of today’s Sunday Express newspaper (report inside by Political Editor Caroline Wheeler). This is the second time that the issue of rights and best interests of summer born children has … Continue reading
Liverpool City Council Formally Supports the Summer Born Campaign
Following last week’s Liverpool news, today the Summer Born Campaign received a formal “supporting statement” from Councillor Lana Orr in the office of the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson. We are very grateful to this council for listening to us and doing what … Continue reading
New Leaf for Liverpool as Council says: ‘All Summer Born Requests Will Be Granted’
Excellent news this week from Liverpool City Council: “All summer born children whose parents request a deferral will automatically be granted…“* This was something Summer Born Campaign member Lauryn Douglas, mum of four year-old Isabella, thought she might never hear following a … Continue reading
DfE Official Confirms Minister’s Commitment to Changing the Code
In email correspondence with the Summer Born Campaign group member Gemma Adams, an official from the DfE’s School Organisation and Admissions Division has said: “The Government recognises that this has been problematic in a number of cases… …children are still being admitted to … Continue reading
Minister Nick Gibb Confirms ‘Missed Year’ Concerns in BBC South Today Interview
Callum Gafford is yet another summer born child who faces losing a year of his education as penalty for starting school at CSAge, and his mother Natalie was interviewed by reporter Sean Killick on BBC South Today (02:58-07:59) During today’s report, member of the Education Select … Continue reading
Many Ministers have Talked the Talk – Could Nick Gibb Actually Walk the Walk?
The House of Commons Education Committee has today published ‘MPs are promised action on summer born admissions‘ alongside a letter from Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb, wrote to its Chair, Neil Carmichael, earlier this month. The letter acknowledges that recent changes … Continue reading
Education Minister Nick Gibb to Review Summer Born Issue at ‘Earliest Opportunity’
This month, one of the Summer Born Campaign leaders, Michelle Melson, had the privilege of meeting with the Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb, following her submission of oral evidence on Summer Born Children at the Education Select Committee meeting in March. … Continue reading
Cameron Found Pre-Compulsory School Age ‘Challenging’ for Florence
The Prime Minister was quoted in the Daily Mail yesterday talking about how a good early years experience can have “the best chance of transforming a child’s life“. However, the Summer Born Campaign is very troubled by talk of “services targeted at … Continue reading
MP Support for Summer Born Campaign
Election over; let’s hope a new Parliament with the support of the MPs below (and more besides) will ensure summer born children finally have fair and equal access to a full education when they start school at CSAge and not … Continue reading
61 Prospective Parliamentary Candidates Supporting Summer Born Campaign Ahead of Election
Below is a list of PPCs who have responded to members of the Summer Born Campaign (mostly via Twitter) asking whether they support our call for summer born children to have the automatic right to 12 years of primary and secondary education whether they … Continue reading
Labour’s Tristam Hunt Says He’d “Look At” Summer Born Issue
As part of the Telegraph’s Election round up, Emily Gosden reported that Tristram Hunt, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said he would launch a review of the rules governing when summer born children start school. “Taking part in a chat with Mumsnet, Mr Hunt … Continue reading
Lib Dem’s David Laws’ Summer Born Views Differ from Government’s
In a pre-election webchat with the Telegraph, former DfE Minister of State for Schools David Laws was asked: What is your stance on summer-born children and whether they should have the right to delay their entry to school? He replied: “I believe … Continue reading
More Broken Promises – this time Empty Election ones from Conservative Education Secretary
According to the Daily Mail Nicky Morgan says, “The Tories will give parents of summer-born children the right to delay their entry to school“, except that’s not what she told Mumsnet today. And remember former Tory Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education Elizabeth Truss just this month … Continue reading
Elizabeth Truss Warns Viewers about Politicians’ Promises, Promises
During the BBC’s Question Time on April 9, Elizabeth Truss said: “Could I just say we need to beware of politicians making promises…” On September 4, 2013 when she was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Elizabeth said: “What we want to … Continue reading
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