Today, Darren Paffey MP has written to educational settings in Southampton Itchen setting out the Labour Government’s ambitions for young people.
Following a Labour Party conference crammed with education announcements, including new nurseries, the beginning of the free breakfast club rollout and ambitious skills reform, the MP got in touch with local primary schools.
Darren Paffey outlined the inherited challenges Bridget Phillipson and her ministers had faced upon taking office, notably the teacher recruitment and retention crisis impacting local schools.
The MP highlighted the measures recently taken by the Department for Education, including the removal of Ofsted’s headline judgements paving the way for School Report Cards.
Darren Paffey said the new Labour government was renewing the focus of government on education through its mission to ‘break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage’ – one of the five key missions outlined in Labour’s manifesto.
In his letter, Darren Paffey also invited Primary school heads to take part in the Government’s new initiatives. In particular Darren Paffey, wants to see some of the first free breakfast clubs and primary-school based nurseries opened in Southampton Itchen next year. He also opened up schools to invite him on visits to their schools to see the work they are already doing and give local children access to their MP.
Darren Paffey also plans to start running a Christmas card competition for local primary school children, in addition to trips to Parliament.
Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“Upon entering office, it’s been a priority of mine to reset the government’s relationship with the education workforce and I welcome Darren Paffey reaching out to local settings.
“Together, we’ll be partners in the push for better, driving high and rising standards so we can give children in Southampton Itchen the best start in life.
“This is a child-centred government that is mission-driven to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage.”
Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen, said:
“Education was a peripheral issue for too long under the Conservatives and this Labour government is putting it back at the heart of national life, as recent announcements have
shown.“Breaking down barriers to opportunity is a personal mission for me as the MP for Southampton Itchen. Working closely with schools to ensure they get the most out of Labour’s initiatives, is incredibly important.
“I want to hear from local teachers, pupils and families about what they want from our education system.
“Having a positive working relationship between MP and schools is how we are going to ensure every child in Southampton Itchen can achieve their potential
“Working together, we can fix the foundations and rebuild Britain.”
Notes to editors:
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