During a recent House of Commons Debate on the Government’s proposed changes to GCSEs, I championed the achievements of local schools like New College, which was really struggling six years ago but last week received national recognition for being in the top 10% of improving schools in the country.

Local teachers, support staff, volunteers and students deserve huge congratulations on their hard work, commitment and success. Leicester City Council also deserves credit for the hard work they do to support our schools. Whilst we are all rightly proud of the progress that has been made, we are not complacent, and determined to make even greater improvements in future.

However, if reports that the Government wants to axe GCSEs and return to O-levels and CSE style exams are true, this would create a two-tier system, damaging the progress that local schools are making to ensure every child can learn, aspire and achieve. You can read my speech here, read the whole debate here or see me ask a question to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, on this subject by clicking here.