Investment for schools and pupils

Under the last government we committed record investment into schools nationally, and I want to make sure there's never been a better time to be a student locally.

Education was one of Rishi Sunak's biggest priorities. He believed it's the closest thing we have to a silver bullet, and I couldn't agree more. Every penny we invest in young people's education pays dividends later down the line - boosting our economy and giving people the opportunities they deserve in life.

We've made huge progress nationally since 2010 - with the number of children in good or outstanding schools rising from 66 to 88 per cent, and our children climbing to fourth in the international league tables for primary school reading. 

With education spending at its highest real terms in history, I want to make sure that Faversham and Mid Kent keeps getting the maximum possible benefit  - whether that’s helping local schools with funding bids, standing up for better standards, or opening up opportunities to local students like my Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair which set to return next year on the 7th March 2025.

Have a look at the links below for more information, and please do get in touch if you think there's anything I can do to help. 

With the help of our brilliant local schools and employers, I’m going to make sure students get more from their education.

News

Opening up opportunities at the 2024 Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair

Last Friday saw the return of one of the highlights of my year. My sixth annual Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair kicked off at 9.30am at Maidstone Leisure Centre, and over the course of the day we saw 1,800 local students come and meet nearly 70 local and national employers to talk about their futures

Results rolling in for education

Education is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet. It might be a cliché in politics, but it’s one which still holds true. Investing in people is the single best thing we can do to improve the world around us. It spawns the doctors, engineers, and business people of tomorrow.

Government funding making a difference for Greenfields

It was so lovely to see the new nursery at Greenfields Community Primary School near Shepway last week - giving local children the best possible start at school. The school’s headteacher Mr Daniel Andrews invited me to come and see this brand new building, funded through an application to the gover

Investment continues at Graveney Primary School!

Last week I paid a visit to Graveney Primary School to see how they're benefitting from the government's Condition Improvement Fund (CIP). The CIP was set up to keep eligible academy, sixth-form college, and voluntary aided school buildings in good working order, and Graveney has actually

Parliament Week visit to Lenham School

Last week I dropped by the Lenham School to talk all things Parliament week with their year 7s and sixth formers. I gave a talk on the history of parliament, and why I decided to pursue a life in politics - and I was so impressed by the questions from students.

Snowfields gets outstanding Ofsted rating

Last week I wrote to Snowfields Academy to wish the a huge congratulations on their recent outstanding Ofsted rating.  They're a secondary school catering for students on the autistic spectrum, first set up in Bearsted in 2020.

SEND improvements on the way

Having special educational needs or a disability should never be a barrier to a decent education.  That's why last year's Ofsted report into SEND provision in Kent was so concerning.

Record funding for Kent's schools!

Last week we got some brilliant news for our local students.  Schools in Faversham and Mid Kent are getting an extra £2.3 million of funding this spring, as part of a £2 billion boost for schools across the country.