Championing Grammar schools and high quality vocational education, Kent County Council Cabinet Member Mike Whiting and Tonbridge & Malling Leader Nicolas Heslop were guest speakers at a wide-ranging discussion on the big education questions facing the county.
Plans for a new West Kent Grammar School, the equality of vocational qualifications, the fast changing education landscape and possible changes to the Kent Test were all covered in a high-quality debate which brought together county, borough and business representatives.
KCC education supremo Mike Whiting kicked off the evening with a particular focus on education standards and provision, raising some of the big issues in the County currently. Mike considered the impact of new academies and other types of school, the changing role of the education authority and the particular needs of a rural county such as Kent.
Vocational education expert and Tonbridge & Malling Leader Nicolas Heslop followed by exploring vocational and technical training as part of every person's education, the importance of the very best careers advice and the choice of learning and the benefits of high quality technical education as delivered by the new University Technical Colleges championed by Lord Kenneth Baker.
Participants then added their own experience and local expertise to a stimulating and high quality debate which moved from discussion on work experience and "taster days" to the role Ofsted and educational outcomes and from the need for apprenticeships and employability for business to the value of entrepreneurs and academic excellence to the economy.
Drawing the debate to conclusion, unanimous support was given to Kent's stance on Grammar School expansion and the need to complement academic rigour in the county with the very best technical and vocational training.