The role and responsibilities of schools and the Department for Children, Schools and Families are being widely debated. Today the Minister will defend the importance of children receiving a holistic education which provides integrated extended services, supporting family life and children’s social wellbeing as well as their core academic needs.

The conference will take place in the wake of recent comments from Shadow Children, Schools and Families’ Minister, Michael Gove, which indicate that a Conservative Government would look to refocus schools more distinctly on academic attainment.**

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: “Important as academic standards are, they are not the only thing schools are about. They also instil children with a love of learning and prepare young people for adult life.

“We have made huge progress since 1997 in improving standards. Now looking ahead to the demands of the 21st century, we need to make sure that every school does what good schools do currently. I look forward to speaking about how we can work together to provide the best education system that children need and deserve.”

Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said: “There is now a clear difference in emphasis between the two main political parties on the role they see for schools. In the run up to the election parents and professionals alike will want to hear how the Parties will support children to realise their potential and narrow the gap between disadvantaged children and those from more affluent backgrounds.”

Notes to Editors

To attend the event, for further information or to arrange an interview with a 4Children spokesperson, please contact Julie Evans on 0207 522 6928 / 0791 787 0641 or email Julie.Evans@4Children.org.uk

The 21st Century Schools: At the heart of the community conference is being held on Wednesday 14 October in central London. Vernon Coaker will speak at 10.10am on how the 21st Century Schools White Paper will help all children to reach their potential.

** Shadow Children, Schools and Families Minister, Michael Gove, commented recently at a speech to the RSA: “…schools have lost their principal purpose - and been saddled with a host of supplementary roles … We have one department which manages schools - and sees them as instruments to advance central government’s social agenda. What we do not have - and what we desperately need - is a department at the heart of government championing the cause of education.”

4Children
4Children is the national children’s charity which develops, influences and shapes national policy on all aspects of children, young people and families lives and works with a wide range of partners to deliver real support for children and families in their community.

4Children has spearheaded a joined up, integrated approach to children’s services which puts the needs of the most vulnerable families at the centre. It is the one of the largest not for profit Children’s Centre provider in the country and also runs and supports out of school programmes and the new next generation ‘myplace’ youth hubs.

The organisation has recently launched the high profile Family Commission chaired by Esther Rantzen. This eighteen month enquiry into families in the UK today will include one of the largest consultations with families ever undertaken and will report in autumn 2010.
For more information see: www.thefamilycommission.org.uk.

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