Education matters

At the moment social mobility is at rock bottom – you stand less chance of escaping the restraints of a poor background now than at any time since the 1970s.

In fact, if you were born in the late 50s you grew up in the golden age of social mobility.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the decades since might have given people more opportunity not less but this has not happened.

That is a strong reason for improving children's education — the primary aim of the current Education Bill.

One of the major areas addressed in the bill is school discipline. Two thirds of teachers say that bad behaviour is driving professionals out of the classroom and this bill will give teachers the authority and protections required to tackle bad behaviour.

Firstly, they will be given the right to search children for items that disrupt learning. Currently a pupil cannot be searched without consent for items like pornography and video cameras (which are sometimes used to post disruptive behaviour online).

Secondly, heads will be given the final say in the exclusion of pupils for violent behaviour including carrying knives (at present the head's decision can be overturned).

Thirdly, teachers will be protected against children who lie. An ATL survey showed that a quarter of teachers had had an unfair allegation made against them.

This can ruin careers and take teachers out of the classroom for months. The bill will provide teachers with anonymity prior to any charge.

There is of course much more in the bill (not least the excellent pupil premium to support poorer children).

All in all it represents a huge step forward for education — and my hope is that in time it will also provide a step up for the poorest too.