The 3Rs Guarantee

We are looking forward to a future where it will be increasingly important for all children to be able to succeed in school. This matters for the quality of life for each individual, it also matters for the economy of the country.

Because this is so important the Government is bringing in new help to make sure all children get the best start in reading, writing and arithmetic.

The Prime Minister, and Ed Balls, have announced new funding for 30,000 pupils . This will ensure that any child falling behind in English or Maths in the earliest years of primary school will be guaranteed extra support, including small-group and intensive one-to-one tuition.

There has always been a link between deprivation and low attainment. This new scheme is an important tool for breaking this link. 

In the past personal tuition is something that was available only if you could afford it, there will have been many children who might have managed more of the things they would have liked to do in life, if they had just had a little well targeted help.

The fact that this scheme is going ahead now, even though money is tight, is a strong sign of this government's committment to give all children the best start.