Proposed by Councillor Adrian Jones

Seconded by Councillor Bernie Mooney

Council:

(1)  views with concern the approach to examinations demonstrated by Education Minister Michael Gove. Council notes, in particular, publication of his plan to ‘modernise’ through turning the clock back to the 1950s by replacing GCSEs with a two-tier exam system modelled on O-levels and CSEs. His ‘leaked’ proposal that the present exams would be scrapped was particularly regrettable; Timed as it was by design or default students presently awaiting their exam results would perceive their achievements to be second class as they were to be superseded in 2015 by an antiquated model scrapped a quarter of a century ago;

(2)  sympathises with Coalition Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s robust denunciation, from Brazil, of the Tory minister’s proposals as neither he nor Coalition LibDem Education Minister Sarah Teather, were consulted about the plans before they were published in the ‘Daily Mail’. Further, Council applauds the comments of Graham Stuart, Conservative chairman of the Commons education select committee who said he was sceptical and suggested the plans were designed just to help the elite; and

(3)  given this further example of ideological incompatibility between the two wings of the Tory-led parliamentary collaboration, and the apparent contempt with which the senior partner regards the junior, Council calls on the Prime Minister to have the courage to face the country in an early general election.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7 (2)

Proposed by Councillor Wendy Clements

Seconded by Councillor Cherry Povall

Delete all and insert:

(1)  Research recently published by the Sutton Trust shows England ranked 26th out of 34 countries in terms of proportions of pupils reaching the highest standards in mathematics. In England only 1.7% of children reached the highest level in maths compared with 7.8% in Switzerland and 5.8% in Belgium, with an average of 3.1% across all OECD countries;

(2)  Council therefore welcomes initiatives taken by the Secretary of State for Education to raise standards in Britain’s schools and believes that after years of Labour Government they are long overdue. The above study shows that few bright non-privileged students reach their academic potential which is unfair and a tragedy for them and the country as a whole. Council further recognises that all children are entitled to and must receive a high quality education which equips them for life and employment in the 21st century; and

(3)  Council welcomes the diversity in educational provision, demonstrated by the development of the Academy programme begun under Labour (which sees 1957 academies open as of 1st July 2012) and the increasing number of Free Schools in progress (including the Everton in the Community Free School Trust), together with the development of UTCs, including Birkenhead University Technical College supported by Frank Field MP.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7 (2)

Proposed by Councillor Pat Williams

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Kelly

In the title, replace “Collaboration Government’s” with “Michael Gove’s”.

At paragraph (1), replace “the 1950’s” with “the pre 1986 exams system”.

At paragraph (2), replace “sympathises with” with “supports”.

Delete paragraph (3) and insert:

(3)  Council does, however, support the suggestion that the separate examination boards should be abolished and replaced with a single board responsible for setting robust examinations, and believes this will restore faith in the testing nature of British exams.

Add additional paragraph (4):

(4)  Council congratulates all Wirral students on their examination results over the years.

Add additional paragraph (5):

(5)  Further, Council welcomes any changes in the education system that will help to prepare young people to be work ready. In particular, Council welcomes the creation of the University Technical College.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment proposed by Councillor Clements was put and lost (19:41) (one abstention).

The amendment proposed by Councillor Williams was put and lost (7:53) (one abstention)

The motion was put and carried (34:26) (one abstention)

Resolved (34:26) (one abstention) –

That Council:

(1)  views with concern the approach to examinations demonstrated by Education Minister Michael Gove. Council notes, in particular, publication of his plan to ‘modernise’ through turning the clock back to the 1950s by replacing GCSEs with a two-tier exam system modelled on O-levels and CSEs. His ‘leaked’ proposal that the present exams would be scrapped was particularly regrettable; Timed as it was by design or default students presently awaiting their exam results would perceive their achievements to be second class as they were to be superseded in 2015 by an antiquated model scrapped a quarter of a century ago;

(2)  sympathises with Coalition Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s robust denunciation, from Brazil, of the Tory minister’s proposals as neither he nor Coalition LibDem Education Minister Sarah Teather, were consulted about the plans before they were published in the ‘Daily Mail’. Further, Council applauds the comments of Graham Stuart, Conservative chairman of the Commons education select committee who said he was sceptical and suggested the plans were designed just to help the elite; and

(3)  given this further example of ideological incompatibility between the two wings of the Tory-led parliamentary collaboration, and the apparent contempt with which the senior partner regards the junior, Council calls on the Prime Minister to have the courage to face the country in an early general election.