Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock, took to the stage at the Basildon Education Services Trust (BEST) annual conference to welcome attendees with an inspiring speech about the importance of education in Basildon.
The conference, attended by over 250 teachers from across Basildon, aimed to help build capacity into the education system, to investigate ways in which schools can work in partnership, and to focus on strategic ways of raising aspiration and achieving impact in schools.
Stephen Metcalfe, who recently became an honorary patron for the BEST Basildon Challenge, commented: “I was delighted to have been asked to speak at this event. I am passionate about education and passionate about giving the young people in my constituency the best possible foundations on which to build the rest of their lives.”
The conference consisted of a number of workshops in which teachers from across the district were able to discuss ideas and share best practice on a number of issues ranging from increasing the impact of literacy in the classroom, to adapting to changes in national testing.
Mr Metcalfe added: “Forums such as this are vital if we are to drive forward the education agenda in Basildon. The message from BEST is that we must not settle for second best. We must raise aspiration; we must improve attainment and we must work together to overcome the many challenges facing schools in Basildon. I wholeheartedly endorse this message and will do all I can to support teachers and staff in achieving these goals.”
