As election fever grips the nation and the 7th of May looms, thoughts turn to what the future holds for education.

Over the next few pages, we will look at the pre-manifestos offered by Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and UKIP.

So, in no particular order…

Quick jump:   UKIP   Green Party   Labour   Conservatives   Liberal Democrats

The Lib Dems’ plan for education “stretches from cradle to college”; the Party claims it will extend protection to all education funding from Early Years right through school to college.

If elected, the Liberal Democrats will:

• ensure that by 2020 every Early Years setting should employ at least one person who holds an ‘Early Years Teacher’ qualification;
• increase the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) to £1,000 per pupil per year. Currently the EYPP, which is being launched nationwide in April, is set at £300;
• at least protect schools’ Pupil Premium in real terms, but will carefully consider an extension of the premium;
• introduce a fair national funding formula;
• allow Ofsted to inspect both local authorities and academy chains;
• only fund new mainstream schools in areas where school places are needed;
• rule out profit-making schools;
• expand the Talented Head Teachers programme and increase the number of teaching schools;
• encourage local Head Teachers with a strong record to play a key role in school improvement through a local ‘Head Teacher Board’ which will work with schools and local authorities;
• extend free school meals to all children in primary education;
• guarantee all teachers in state-funded schools will be fully qualified or working towards qualified teacher status (QTS). Free schools and academies will not be allowed to employ unqualified teachers from September 2016;
• help establish a new profession-led Royal College of Teachers, to eventually oversee QTS and professional development;
• introduce a minimum curriculum entitlement – a slimmed-down core National Curriculum which will be taught in all state-funded schools.

Next Party:   UKIP

Do these policies cover everything you want to see?

If not, take a look at the alternative policies — these were provided by some of the country’s leading educationalists who work with Osiris Educational. We asked them what policies they would bring in if they were Education Secretary. The results are thought-provoking and centred upon what is best for the learning of all children.

Osiris Educational is a non-party political company and no bias or endorsement of any political party is implied. Research conducted January 2015 and correct at time of print. All the five main parties were contacted to offer them the chance to tell us about their education policies. Information presented here is either directly in response to this request or based on the information provided by the parties’ websites and documentation.