More than 40 people, including many teachers and parents, posed questions about the future of education in Devon to Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Kate Green MP.

The virtual question and answer session was hosted last week by Devon Labour, and was chaired by Lisa Robillard Webb, chair of Devon County Labour Party Forum.

The panel also included local Labour councillor Su Aves and National Education Union Regional Secretary Hannah Packham.

Questions from participants covered a wide variety of topics, such as provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), forced academisation of schools, mental health support in schools and lack of local authority funding.

Ms Green began the event by paying tribute to everyone who has worked in the education system over the last 12 months, as well as parents and families dealing with homeschooling.

She reiterated the importance of education for "children and young people, adult learners as well as for our country, for our economy and future prosperity" at a "really challenging time in education".

The MP outlined Labour's priorities for education at the moment as getting children safely back into the classroom, providing resources to support children's mental and emotional well-being and helping children catch up with lost learning.

Devon residents then questioned the Shadow Secretary on local issues in education, with many questions focused on pupil well-being.

Ms Green argued that well-being needs to become a properly resourced 'political no brainer' in the future and well-being support should be offered in all schools.

Panellist Hannah Packham added that locally education staff retention is an issue due to lack of support of well-being of staff.

Another question addressed by the panel was how to reconcile a high number of pupils in Devon with an education, health and care (EHC) plan with many years of funding cuts resulting in a deficit over the last month of £7million in the high needs block.

Ms Green said that this problem arose from the fact that reforms in this area have not been underpinned by funding and that a conversation needs to happen around funding.

Other topics discussed include around school structures, university fees and career services.

——————————————————————

You can submit your own news straight to Axminster Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our homepage. This can also be done for free for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local List page by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. And don't forget to sign up to our free weekly newsletter below!