CANDIDATES looking to become Thurrock’s MP have revealed their pledges for the region’s education.

Tory Jackie Doyle-Price, Labour’s John Kent, Ukip’s Tim Aker and Liberal Democrat Kevin McNamara will be going head-to-head on June 8 and

Ms Doyle-Price, who is bidding to be re-elected, said she “won’t rest” until all parents have a choice of sending their children to an outstanding school.

She said: “Improving schools was my priority when first elected and they are much improved.

“I brought Harris in to run schools in Chafford. I have delivered two new schools already.

“Five more are on the way. I wont rest until all parents have the choice of an outstanding school place for their child.

“By freeing academies from local authority control they are now able to show real leadership and drive up standards.

“We must however intervene quicker when schools are failing. Too many children have been let down by an unwillingness to tackle poor performance.”

Mr Kent, former leader of Thurrock Council, said his track record in education is a reason to vote him.

He said: “During my six years as leader of Thurrock Council the number of primary pupils in good or outstanding schools jumped from a third to 95 per cent.

“We brought schools, the council and educational experts together, supporting each other and pumped in an extra £1 million to help make it happen.

“Some of our secondary schools are now facing problems and we need to use the same model of collaboration to support them to improve.

“The planned £11 million funding cuts to Thurrock schools is a real threat as is the Conservative plan for a return to secondary modern schools.”

Mr Aker, MEP for the East of England, has led calls for a new Thurrock Grammar School.

He said: “The Tories new funding formula has robbed our schools of valuable resources. Some of the worst hit schools across the borough could lose more than £700,000 in funding, along with teachers and teaching assistants. I am committed to fighting these cuts.

“UKIP believe we should value and encourage vocational education rather than forcing everyone to go to university and leave with debt.

“We also need a Thurrock Grammar School. The Tories promised one last year and have since then gone quite. They have a habit of making big promises then never delivering.”

Mr McNamara, says his party will pump £7 billion into nationwide education.

He said: “Not every child yet in Thurrock receives an excellent education, and that is unacceptable. Tory plans to take cash from the front-line to fund divisive free school and grammar school expansion plans will make this worse.

“We will invest £7bn to protect per-pupil funding in real terms in schools, further education per-pupil funding in real terms, ensure that no school loses out from the national funding formula, safeguard the pupil premium in real terms and invest in continuous professional development for teachers.