Ruth Kelly Interview
Ruth Kelly Interview
If you do not have Realplayer, please visit www.real.com 
(for free Realplayer download).
The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP Secretary of State for Education and Skills was a guest speaker at the Building Schools for the Future Conference held at Manchester United FC. She was also interviewed by Tameside school children George and Paige.
Text Only Version
Speech
Tameside is an excellent authority determined to build a world class education service for it's people. Ready and eager to work in close partnership with others to develop clear objectives to develop clear strategies, and make the most of it's exciting innovations.
Now since 1997 this government has been investing massively in education and particularly in capital to support a radical programme of reform. And the aim of the Building Schools for the Future programme is to transform every secondary school in the country over the next 15 years, and that's to rebuild from scratch or to completely refurbish every secondary school to world class standards.
And why do we want to do that? Well we want to do that because we believe, and I believe that education has the power to transform people's lives. Our education system is the foundation for both of social justice and indeed of economic prosperity because it has the power to give every individual a chance whatever their background, wherever they come from, the chance to transform their lives and fulfil their potential, to play their part in society and to contribute to a thriving economy. And that's why I'm so committed to education, that's why everybody in our government and in our party are committed to education as well.
Now in Tameside, I understand, your 11 year olds are now performing above the national average in english, maths and science. And for these Key Stage 2 results you're the third most improved authority in the country. And the number of pupils getting 5 good GCSE's have improved from 44% in 2004 to 52% this year, really significant progress. But what we can't do is rest on our laurels, everything's good enough because it's clearly not, there's still much much more that we can do. And what we want to do for Building Schools for the Future is to build on that success and to create an education system that succeeds not just for half of our pupils but for all of our young people. And although massive strides have already been made in Tameside to bring about improvements, there is potential though school design to offer more support for effective teaching and learning and that must be at the heart of higher standards of better schools for all.
You have 4 children and you're a cabinet Minister aren't you exhausted?
Yes but rewarding, couldn't think of a better job, got a chance to make a difference to people's lives and help them thrive. I actually can't think of anything better to do at home than be the mother of 4 kids! So you know, I've got challenges that balance and I'm very lucky.
You said you enjoy swimming and walking, how important do you think it is do keep healthy?
I think it's important but don't take as much as I should, but want to ensure that the facilities are there for people to use and that people get into the habit early. So I hope you are doing lots of sport at school!
What's the best thing about being Minister of Education?
Best thing is knowing it makes a real difference. And even though things can be really tough and you get lots of criticism on the one hand and you have to go through a lot on the other actually it's all worth while if you think you can help people develop in the way they need to develop. So just knowing that we, through education have the power to make a real difference to people's lives, give them the chance, give everybody the opportunity to succeed. That's what keeps me going.
What do you know about Tameside? (roars of laughter, stuck for words)
Got a great football club, great MP's, good authority, most improved in country, great ambition for the future.
You follow Bolton Wanderers, do you really think they'll win the league this year?
(Laughter) Well they're on their way up, my husband follows them more than me, and if I miss match, I get all the glorious details, they're doing well and striving for the top a nd I just wish them well.
Why do you think schools for the future will be a success in Tameside?
Well I think Building S chools for the F uture has potential for success, when not only does it combin e really emotive design which is really important for creating a good learning environment, but when the authority looks right across the local area and thinks about it's education vision and how it can use that money to make a real difference. And that's what I think is happening here, is that people are taking a look at the whole of education in the area and using this to support that change.
What do you think learning at a school in the future will be like?
Well, probably a lot more exciting than it's been in the past. One of the things we in government strive to keep up with is the technology, and how you use ICT, how teachers expolit resources, support from home with parents, also flexible school design is about small as well as big spaces, and having individual learning. T hat's what I'd like to see in the future, small as well as large classes.
Would you like to be Prime Minister?
Not really, (laughs out) we've got a very good one at the moment and he's doing a great job.
Why aren't you re-building any primary schools?
Well we will and what the chancellor said earlier this is that half of all Primary Schools Will be re-furbished or re-built over the next 15 years, the programme will start later than secondary schools as quite frankly Primary schools weren't as in need as that investment, but we are committed to re buildi ng primary schools as well.
What opportunities do you believe young people should have when they go to secondary school?
As well as the basics, English, Maths, ICT, I think they need to study subjects that they're really interested in.
Then to have the opportunity to go and study really practical engineering skills at alongside, Maths, English and other academic subjects, and perhaps not in a school environment at all, perhaps at the local college, perhaps with an employer, from about age of 14. But to study practical skills in places that are exciting, more like work, as well academic skills with the mix that you feel comfortable with. And that's what we're trying to put in place over the next few years, to give everybody the chance to mix practical with academic subjects.
Do you think all children should leave school being able to play a musical instrument and speak a second language ?
I think that would be fantastic and what we've said on languages is that by 2010 so in the next 4 or 5 years, evey young person at primary school ought to be learning a foreign language, and that's a really big step forward from where we are at the moment, because lots of primary schools don't teach languages as well, a vast majority none at all. So we need to make rapid progress on that. I don't think you ought to force older children to learn a foreign language if they really don't want to.we need to get the balance right, but primary schools ought to be doing it.
On musical instruments that would be fantastic well, and one of the things I hope that schools open in the evening will do, will offer the opportunity to do music, drama, sport, things that aren't necessarily part of core curriculum, and use the opportunities to develop in that way.
You were born in Northern ireland do you miss it?
I was born there but didn't stay long, don't remember much about it. Parents and brothers have strong irish accents, so if you came to my family you'd be surprised what you heard, but I love going back to visit.
Do you think schools of the future should let pupils work from home more?
I think it's really important we get that realationship right. I think most young people's parents will be out at work, so best they're at school everyday, but getting the link between home and school is also important, and I think being able to do projects using technology is an important part of how we think about the future.
If I want to become Prime Minister, which school of the future should I attend?
If we get these reforms right, everybody ought to be able to fulfill their potential, so if you study hard in any one of these schools, you never know you might end up being Prime Minister.
Do you think students should be really involved in the designing of the new schools?
I think it's really important that the pupils who are going to use the schools are asked for their views, and I chatted to the Sorrells r ecently who are involved in some of the innovative designs, and they told m e was that the more you ask young people, the better the eventual desig n. you have to ask teachers and you have to ask y oung people, and they tend to ask for really sensible things that sometimes get overlooked, like safe cover places to play outside so they can go outside even when the weather isn't very good. So yes I think it's important.
Thanks, been a pleasure.