The Social Liberal Forum are proud to announce the publication today of our newest publication: 21^st Century Education.  The contributors to this publication are all experts in the world of education—the majority of whom are teachers—who are also members of the Liberal Democrats.   Grass roots members at that, many with long years of party membership.  As the editor of the booklet I am grateful that all the contributors were happy to write under the Social Liberal Forum banner.

What we are predominantly grappling with in this publication are not the usual battlegrounds of education policy such as structures, admissions and social mobility. But rather what education that is fit for the 21^st century should be about: its purpose, mode of delivery, its methods and how it should relate to the political arena.

We hope to spark debate and are attempting to reframe the discourse about the purpose of education through this publication.  Liberal Democrats have been associated with radical and child-centred education policies for some time.  But many argue that in coalition, we have lost our way and are now not able to speak to the profession, in particular, and parents and the public in general, with the same level of credibility.

At the end of the day, politics is all about trust.  This booklet attempts to re-establish that level of trust.  It shows that we are sincere in our aims for education policy and are the most thoughtful and responsible political party when it comes to our aspirations and ideas about an education system that is fundamentally child-centred, yet also has a clear grasp of the overarching purposes of a state-funded education system.

All at the Social Liberal Forum are very pleased and grateful that Tim Farron found the time to write the introduction to the booklet, and hope that its (hopefully) many readers will find much that chimes with their own personal philosophy and beliefs about education.

We hope to re-ignite confidence in the public at large that we are still the most trustworthy political party when it comes to education and welcome your feedback.

’21^st Century Education’ costs £3 (plus £2 postage) and can be obtained by emailing me at [email protected]. It will also be available from the SLF and LDEA stalls at Conference, and at the SLF/CentreForum  fringe meeting on Education on Saturday at 1pm (Novotel, Meeting room 1 and 2).

* Helen Flynn is an Executive Member of the LDEA. She is a former Parliamentary Candidate and Harrogate Borough Councillor and has served on the Federal Policy Committee and Federal Board. She has been a school governor in a variety of settings for 19 years and currently chairs a multi academy trust in the north of England.