25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Schools short-changed on ‘Covid-safe’ costs by Conservative Government

Schools short-changed on ‘Covid-safe’ costs by Conservative Government

Saddleworth News
The Conservative Government will only reimburse less than one-third of the overall costs incurred by English schools in making their premises ‘Covid-safe’ according to a publication published last month by a leading education think-tank. A report issued by the Education Policy Institute claims that government money made available through its exceptional costs fund will only cover 31% of overall costs, and in a survey covering 700 schools conducted in November, over half (57%) reported that they are using reserves to cover the shortfall, jeopardising their ability to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the current financial year. The EPI estimates that, since the first national lockdown in March 2020, primary schools have had to meet additional non-staff costs averaging almost £13,000. These amounted to almost £18,000 for special…
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26Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
School streets must not be knocked back again

School streets must not be knocked back again

Borough news
Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani is campaigning for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to deliver School Streets – schemes to manage traffic around local schools – and give applications the priority they need in forthcoming funding bids. An application to fund a scheme in Lees around Medlock Way was knocked back by the Labour-run GMCA, as they wanted to develop a Greater Manchester wide scheme, rather than put forward this proposal on its own. Sadly, when the funding agreement from the Government was put forward, School Street schemes were prioritised – meaning that the scheme almost certainly would have gone through. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I understand the need to ensure that everyone can get access to a scheme such as this, but it is extremely frustrating that this has…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must take charge and ensure deprived children aren’t left behind

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on Boris Johnson to take charge of the crisis facing schools and ensure disadvantaged children are not left behind, accusing Gavin Williamson of having “dropped the ball." It comes after the former Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, this morningsaid the Government’s failure to consult with teachers over its plans was “absolutely astonishing.” Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Parents and teachers have raised concerns from the outset about how to get pupils safely back into school, but Gavin Williamson has refused to listen. It’s no surprise this whole process has descended into a complete shambles. “Time and again the Education Secretary has dropped the ball, from refusing to extend free school meals over the summer to leaving thousands of disadvantaged children without laptops. “Boris…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government decision to press on with reopening schools “deeply worrying”

Parliamentary news
Ahead of some schools reopening to more pupils on Monday 1 June, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Ministers have repeatedly claimed to be guided by science through this crisis, yet a number of scientists - including members of SAGE - have expressed concern about the easing of lockdown. It's deeply worrying that plans to reopen schools are going ahead despite the fact that the COVID-19 risk is still classified as "high".  “We all want to see children back in schools as an urgent priority. But not if this risks a new COVID-19 spike. The Government must guarantee that public health will not be put at risk as a result of a premature or rushed effort to get children back into classrooms.  “The Government must also find find practical solutions to the logistical problems created by the…
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13May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Moran: Govt must publish scientific advice for reopening schools

Parliamentary news
Following securing an Urgent Question in the House of Commons today, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran has called on the Government to release the scientific advice for reopening schools without delay. Layla Moran also called on the Secretary of State for Education to clarify "what he thinks ‘safe’ actually means?" in regard to the safety of children returning to school, as well as condemning the Government for failing to consult with teachers and unions. Following the Urgent Question, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Layla Moran, said: “Every day that schools remain shut, the disadvantage gap widens and vulnerable children risk falling through the cracks. But that doesn’t mean we should open schools before it’s actually safe. “The Government has failed to consult with school leaders, teachers and unions on the details of its…
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30Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not ignore teaching staff in plans for reopening

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will be releasing their plan on reopening schools next week, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Reopening schools can’t be a top-down affair, with politicians failing to consult with those who run our schools. The number and type of risks is complex and will differ from school to school - therefore it is vital the concerns of teaching staff are heard. “The Government needs to work with school leaders now, not later, to put this in place ahead of time. Only when school staff have the PPE they need, as per their risk assessment, should they be able to reopen. “I am glad that the Government have listened to calls from the Liberal Democrats and others to publish a plan for opening schools, but…
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16Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat idea to reduce air pollution around schools

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE asks for special restrictions to be placed on vehicles waiting outside of schools.  This is to reduce air pollution.  Restrictions apply at peak times in other parts of the UK to reduce air pollution in problem areas.  Councillor Sykes wants to trial this locally for Oldham Schools.  This could successfully reduce traffic and encourage more families to walk and cycle to school.  The Greater Manchester Clean Air plan is unclear when it comes to its school’s policy and the Liberal Democrats want Oldham to lead the way. In the current version of the Greater Manchester Clean Air plan, the only mention of schools is a couple of sentences saying Greater Manchester Combined Authority should find ways to help people use their cars less.  There is no…
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20Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

More Oldham children being failed: Liberal Democrat Leader disappointed at news of yet another poor school performance

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has expressed his disappointment and dismay on hearing news that another school in Oldham – the Oasis Academy Oldham – has failed the OFSTED test when it comes to performance. Councillor Sykes said:  “Oldham Council and its educational partners have had years to turn around Oldham’s academic performance, but yet again we see another negative report of an Oldham school rated ‘inadequate’ and in need of ‘improvement’ in several key areas, including the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.”   “When the Oldham Education and Skills Commission Chair Baroness Estelle Morris stated on the publication of its long-awaited report in January 2016, ‘we are on the edge of being able to achieve great things…
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28Jan 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems: Culture in our schools system is toxic

Lib Dems: Culture in our schools system is toxic

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Department for Education’s Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy that was published this morning, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Although any changes that improve the learning environment for children and working conditions for teachers are to be welcomed, we won’t see any fundamental changes in schools under this government. “For years teachers have faced real terms cuts, feeling undervalued and overworked whilst battling funding cuts and swelling class sizes. The problems that we see in our education system won’t go away until the government reverse these cuts and invest properly in the education of our future generations. “The culture that exists, of endless testing, Ofsted and league tables needs to be abolished – it’s toxic and we must instead focus on pupil and teacher well-being.”
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28Apr 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Let no primary school child go hungry, say Liberal Democrats

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has contrasted the recent attempt by the Conservative Government to curtail the entitlement to free school meals from children from the country’s poorest families to his own party’s policy. Councillor Sykes said: “The Conservatives seem to be on their own in wanting to change the rules to prevent children from households receiving Universal Credit from getting a free hot meal at school every day.  This would hit Oldham especially hard as Oldham Borough has the single greatest number of Universal Credit recipients in the UK.  Many of these will be parents with children and, as I highlighted in a question to the Council leader at our last full Council meeting (28 March), Oldham features…
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