Making Education Count in Westminster!

The Make Education Count Westminster Network was launched on 2 December in the House of Commons.

On the heels of the ‘Location, Location, Location‘ report and news that the UK has fewer young people in education and training that the majority of other OECD countries, the launch emphasised social mobility and equality of opportunity.

Tony Lloyd MP at the Westminster network launch

Flanked by Make Education Count: Access, Equality, Opportunity banners, UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt welcomed MPs and Peers to the event and to the Network. She explained how the Network will work and how important it was in making sure that all people who have the ability and want to enter into education, have the access they need.

The network will ensure there is a two way dialogue between those who set policy and those who put it into practice. It will make sure that educators, UCU members and communities can make their voices heard when it comes to education. The Network will also be a point of contact and information for any MP who wants to be better informed about further or higher education on both local and national levels.

A number of MPs from across political parties joined the Network at the launch, with many others having pledged their support in the run up to it. Each MP had a constituency pack to take away with them to give them a accurate constituency tailored information of what their areas look like when it comes to access to education and employment.

Chris Foss, Plumpton College, at the Westminster network launch

Plumpton College staff and students were a highlight of the evening. Staff and students from the college’s wine making course hosted a wine tasting of their white, sparkling and rose wines. MPs and Peers enjoyed tasting wines made by the students as well as honey and rapeseed oil that is also made at the College. Head of Wine, Chris Foss, threw his support behind the network and spoke to a packed room about his course and the importance of education for all, regardless of background – he has people in his classes from backgrounds as diverse as gardening to former city workers.

The launch is the first step in the Westminster Network – we will keep you posted as MEC moves forward.

A list of supporting MPs will be available here next week so please check back to see if your MP has signed up – and if not – chase them to do it!

Make Education Count networks launch: 2 Dec 2009 (29 photos)
2 December 2009, Westminster
UCU's Make Education Count Westminster Network launched on 2 December in the House of Commons http://makeeducationcount.org.uk/?p=224

  
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Note: To see the pictures in the original Picasa album, click here