For this year’s Conservative Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute (EPI) has partnered with Teach First and the Fair Education Alliance (FEA) to hold a public panel on: ‘Spotlight on education: learning as a lever to tackle society’s biggest challenges’.
Research suggests that investing in education has significant impacts on children’s outcomes, not only in terms of attainment, but more widely on their future success and on society as a whole. Research from the OECD highlights that “adults with higher proficiency in literacy, numeracy and problem-solving tend to have better outcomes in the labour market”, with greater chances of being employed and of earning higher wages. Moreover, greater proficiency in these skills is positively associated with higher levels of well-being, trust in others, participation in volunteering activities and belief in one’s impact on the political process. Finally, attendance at and attitudes towards school and level of education attainment are factors in children coming into contact with the criminal justice system and higher levels of education are also associated with a range of health benefits including longer life expectancy.
Yet, despite the evidence and noteworthy reforms during the last Government, particularly in skills and lifelong learning, polling consistently finds education far down the list of public priorities for the next government. Why is this the case? And what is needed in future to galvanise political will to focus on education and improve the life chances of all children? Ultimately, what role does education play in improving society as a whole, given wider benefits to health, criminal justice and the economy?
This panel will bring together politicians, school leaders and other education stakeholders to scrutinise the issue, considering what prioritising education could mean for children, particularly the most disadvantaged, and to wider communities across the country.
We are delighted to be joined by Russell Hobby, Teach First; Ryan Tovey, FEA and Kully Uppal, Summit Learning Trust with more speakers to be confirmed. Natalie Perera, EPI’s Chief Executive, will chair this panel.
** Note: This event will take place in the conference secure zone. To access the secure zone you will need to obtain a pass directly from the Conservative Party.**
