Those in power must listen to those who are ‘in the know’
So, Gavin Williamson has finally been shown the door. I am sure there won’t be many tears shed in the school corridors, staff rooms or playgrounds across the country.
We now look to Nadhim Zahawi to bring the education system into line with the postCovid world. Will he look to make much-needed changes to the ‘stale’ curriculum that has yet to wake up to the fact it’s prime function is to prepare our young children to succeed in much changed world?
Mr Williamson seemed reluctant to listen to those who know best, and I wonder if Mr Zahawi will listen to a range of teachers who really do know what’s going on in our postCovid schools?
Let’s not forget the influence of those who have made a difference and have ‘helped’ the government make the right decision – the first being footballer Marcus Rashford.
His campaign to extend free school meals throughout the summer sparked a national debate now taken up by the charity Save The Children.
Jo Whiley, who was offered a vaccine before her sister, who has cri du chat syndrome, was instrumental in putting pressure on the government to make changes.
As a result, it has been confirmed that all people on the GP’s learning disability register would be prioritised.
Jamie Carragher and other professional footballers have joined Mark King, the founder of the Oliver King Foundation, to bring a greater awareness of the need for more defibrillators around the UK.
What a legacy it would be for Mark’s son Oliver, who at the age of 12 had a massive cardiac arrest during a PE lesson, if every leisure facility, school and recreational facilities each had a defibrillator. His dad said that Christian Eriksen was lucky but Mark wasn’t.
Recently Paddy McGuiness has called for more education around children with autism. He opened up on Sky News about his own personal experiences, helping to bring up his three autistic children. Something Mr Zahawi might like to look at.
Let’s hope that those who have the power to make bold and far-reaching changes will listen to those who really do know what’s going on in our communities.