SPEAKERS clashed during a debate about whether the government is providing the best education for children.

Topics ranging from testing in schools to outdoor learning were discussed by a panel of experts, MP Neil Carmichael, joint NUT secretary for Gloucestershire Sarah Murphy, author Nancy Stewart and academic and children's writer Wendy Meddour.

A packed crowd at The Old Town Hall, Stroud, put questions to the panel in a lively debate organised by Stroud Let Out Kids Be Kids and chaired by journalist Rupert Evelyn on Saturday.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael, who is chairman of the Education Select Committee, said the government had much to celebrate in terms of its record on education but conceded there was still a long way to go.

He argued that testing and SATs are important to helping young people gain qualifications and later jobs, but also said there needed to be more focus on life skills and outdoor learning in the curriculum.

He said the government will be trying to learn more from other nations such as Finland and Germany and their approach to education.

Sarah Murphy, who teaches physics and chemistry at Stroud High School, expressed concerns about there being too much testing in schools.

"Testing is not teaching," she said.

"I would like to see more trust back with teachers.

"Teachers are able to monitor learning without formal testing, we don't need formal testing to have a quality education."

Mrs Murphy also said she was concerned by the impact of government cuts on education.

She said it was 'shocking and scandalous' that profit is becoming a feature of the education system.

Nancy Stewart, an early years consultant, said the government needed to do more to help disadvantaged young people in education.

Mrs Stewart argued social class still had a big impact on students quality of education.

She said more creative subjects such as poetry, drama and music needed to be included in the curriculum.

Concerns about exam stress and homework on the mental health of students were also expressed by Mrs Stewart.

Wendy Meddour, a university lecturer and children's writer, argued too much emphasis is being placed on academic grades rather than the overall quality of education.

"We need to think more about what is education for," she told the audience.

"At the moment there is too much focus on testing and SATs, and nonsensical goals.

"Testing needs to be done in the right way and trust back with teachers."

Let Our Kids Be Kids is a nationwide group which was set up by parents concerned about 'inappropriate' testing of children.

To find out more about the Stroud branch of the group email stroud.letourkidsbekids@gmail.com or search for the Facebook page Stroud - Let our Kids be Kids.