It was great to be back at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham last week to give a talk in the school’s new lecture theatre.
I’ve been keeping in contact with the school’s headteacher through virtual meetings during lockdown, but this was my first in-person visit to the school since the pandemic began.
I know the past year has been incredibly tough for teachers and students. As someone who had three children to home school during lockdown, I appreciate this has been hard for parents too.
I spoke to Year 12 students at the school about life as an MP and Health and Social Care Minister during the pandemic and my journey into politics.
Making sure every child can achieve their potential is so important. I’m pleased that the Government’s Post-16 Education Bill will make it possible for student loans to be used to fund skills training not just university places, giving young people more options when they leave school.
I was also pleased to hear that the Government’s new funding formula for schools is making a difference to schools that have been historically underfunded. This is something I lobbied for with other Kent MPs.
Better funding, a new lecture theatre, and dedicated teachers are helping to give QEGS students the best possible start in life.
