Crawley’s students work incredibly hard, and my congratulations to all who have received A-Level and BTEC results over the last week.
While 18 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds are 52 per cent more likely to go to university than a decade ago, there is more to be done. As a result of recent reforms, more young people are gaining the skills that this country needs. BTECs, apprenticeships and the new A-Levels are providing the best possible preparation for further study and the world of work.
Entries to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) A-Levels are up 26.2 per cent since 2010, while Maths remains the most popular subject at A-Level, and more girls are now doing science subjects than boys.
From September 2020, young people will be taking the first new T-Levels. These are brand new technical qualifications as rigorous as A-Levels. T-Levels will be high-quality technical alternatives to A-Levels, combining theory, practical learning and an industry placement where students will build the knowledge and skills they need in a workplace environment.
Over 9,000 more children in Crawley are now in schools rated good or outstanding, compared with 2010, and 1.9 million more children are attending good or outstanding schools nationally. 85 per cent of schools are now rated good or outstanding, up from 68 per cent in 2010.
Across the education system, more children are mastering the fundamental skills they need. Literacy levels have been rising since the introduction of the phonics screening check in 2012. The number of 6 year olds reaching the expected level in reading has risen from 58 per cent to 82 per cent last year.
Reforms to the curriculum mean more pupils are studying the core, academic subjects they need to get on and disadvantaged students are more likely to go to university than ever before. At the same time, reforms to apprenticeships mean that young people have a range of quality, vocational options.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to keep investing in our schools by significantly increasing funding per pupil nationwide, to ensure every child gets the world-class education they deserve.
Henry Smith MP
