TEACHERS are professionals and ideology has no place in the classroom. Too much teaching-to-test and focus on the wrong targets has damaged the idea and practice of education.

Clearly the basics including English, maths and the sciences must be taught but education is more than the narrow, though important, focus of a job. It must include a broad understanding of the world, our culture and history, and our social and political framework.

We want young people who can play an active role in our country. Ideological battles about different types of school are far less important than excellent heads leading an inspiring staff.

A world class education cannot be done on the cheap. Liberal Democrats will protect the schools budget from the cradle to college per pupil; it will expand as the school population expands.

We have already invested in free hours early years for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds. We want to expand that to 20 free hours, also helping working families with child care. I’m fascinated that the political agenda has moved from whether to have free hours to how many.

Our Pupil Premium has been extremely successful, bringing £7.3 million more into Herefordshire schools, and it has already made a significant difference to the children who need it most.

Our apprenticeship scheme has helped over 2 million youngsters start their working life, and record numbers are going to university. We want to double the number of businesses hiring apprentices, and improve their quality. To help get to school, work or apprenticeship we propose a Young Person card for 16-21 year-olds giving a two-thirds discount on the bus.

A world class education should be available to all. As a country we can afford it. It is a question of the choices we make.