October 26th 2009

Dear Editor.

The recent Cambridge Review of Primary Education funded by the Esmee
Fairbairn Foundation should be warmly welcomed. It says that deciding
what happens in our schools has become too centralised, the range of
subjects taught is too narrow, that school league tables and SATs tests
should be abolished and that formal learning should not be started at
such an early an age. The review also recognises the importance of an
educational response to global issues such as climate change and injustice.

The Review is the first of its kind in 40 years, is very well researched
and supported by all the main teaching organisations. Coming on the back
of a 2007 United Nations Report that said the UK is the worst place in
the developed world to be a young person this Review should not be
dismissed.

The Green Party look forward to seeing these ideas discussed within
Sheffield Council and across the city in the run up to a general election.

Yours Sincerely
Sheffield Green Party Councillor Bernard Little.

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