Ruffley Goes Back To School: A Question Time with Sixth Form Students; and a Meeting with the Head about Academy Status

David Ruffley MP will visit Stowmarket High School on Friday 4 February 2011. He will take questions from pupils, aged between 16 and 18, on the future of education. Mr Ruffley will also be meeting the Headteacher and Chair of Governors to discuss the Government's radical education reform, including new 'Academy' status.

Mr Ruffley said: 'It is great to be able to engage with the next generation of citizens and speak to them about the issues which they are concerned about. Children must get the best education and training opportunities available, but it isn't happening. Between 2000 and 2009, England fell from 7th to 25th in reading, 8th to 28th in maths, and 4th to 16th in science. More needs to be done to strengthen academic and vocational achievement in schools. Should this be done by schools that commit to new academy status? I want to hear what Stowmarket High School thinks.'