Speak now...

Hmmm ... the pantomime is starting and we have been considering how best to encourage some serious debate on education leading up to the general election. Though we take it for granted, democracy is incredibly important, and all like to take the Gordon (or David). Politicians will be desperate to know what will gain them support, and education is one of those topics on which everyone has a view. Indeed, our research has told us that the vast majority of the population wants change in education, and 78 per cent of the general population agree that there should be more quality practical and vocational learning opportunities on offer to young people in schools, colleges and universities.

So, we have decided to try and amplify the public voice on this issue – and, most importantly, take people’s views to the three main political parties who are bidding for our votes and drawing up their education manifestos. Today we’re launching a high-profile call to action for our ‘Have your say’ campaign, with striking adverts in the national media featuring Balls, Gove and Laws – our likely challengers for the next Secretary of State for Education.

This will be the first ‘social media’ election, and people can share their ideas on what need to change on our website, by email, Twitter, video message, or whatever way they want. We are then going to bring these voices together to form the first ever election broadcast generated completely by the public, telling politicians what they want from the education system – and we will present this to Teams Balls, Gove and Laws, as well as distributing by any and every means we can.

Most importantly, we don’t just want a lot of whining about the problems, we also want to highlight the incredible things going on out there from which we can all learn. So we want to hear from teachers, parents, students and employers in places such as Barnsley, Blyth, Bradford, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Kent where for example I know from first hand that change is really starting to take off - and young people are starting to be given many paths to success.

Education affects every family, business and school in the country, so please ‘Have your say’ now – when it counts most.