As a parent in Cornwall I would like to say that I am very worried about the way education is going in this country. Children are being forced into formal schooling earlier and earlier, facing tests and the fear of being labelled failures at a very young age.

What with this, Mr Gove's proposals to keep schooling going till 6pm and to cut short summer holiday time, I feel that childhood itself is under attack. It seems that Mr Gove wants us to be like China, where pupils are tested and driven, sometimes to destruction.

The 'Stand up for Education' campaign brings parents and professionals together to oppose these trends. It calls for, among other things, an end to league testing and for the early years’ curriculum to be play based (the most effective way for children of this age to learn, as proved in Finland). For these reasons, amongst many, I will be standing up for education and I hope many others will do the same for the sake of our children’s future prospects.

Parents and teachers will be leafleting around Cornwall about the campaign over the coming weeks. There is also a web page at www.teachers.org.uk/parents where you can register your support.

Many Thanks for your support,

C. Smith,
Newquay