ÎÞÂ붯»­

Secretary of State for Education visits ÎÞÂ붯»­, Telford

Posted Yesterday

Secretary of State Bridget Phillipson, centre, meets a Future Leaders cohort at the Quad with, from left: Widening Participation Officer Rachel Brookes, CEO of Future Leaders Faheem Khan, Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan, MP for Telford Shaun Davies and Executive Academic Director, ÎÞÂ붯»­, Telford, Parmjit Chima

The Secretary of State for Education has visited ÎÞÂ붯»­, Telford as part of a wide-ranging education visit organised by Telford MP Shaun Davies.

The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP attended Wombridge Primary School, Thomas Telford Free School, Telford Park School, Telford Sixth and ÎÞÂ붯»­ at the Quad as a part of the visit.

While at the Quad, she heard more from Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan about the University’s plans to develop higher education opportunities in the town further - and how education providers can work together to equip students with the skills needed for the future.

Shaun Davies MP for Telford said: “It was great to welcome the Education Secretary to Telford and show her the brilliant work happening here – it is an honour to stand up for Telford and our young people every week in Parliament, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone who works so hard every day to give young people in Telford the best possible start in life.

“This visit was about celebrating that work but also making the case absolutely clear that to back our schools and families we need to go even further.

“I was also able to pass on feedback I’ve heard directly from parents, carers and partners including from recent conversations about SEND support.

“Telford has a real story to tell when it comes to education one built on ambition, hard work and opportunity and it was fantastic to showcase that during such a busy and productive visit.”

The visit highlighted Telford’s education journey, celebrated the work of local teachers and staff, and discussed how national education policy can better support pupils, teachers and families across Telford.

It forms part of ongoing work between Mr Davies, local education leaders including Professor Sloan, and the Government to ensure Telford’s young people can access high-quality education and the get the support they need to thrive locally.

Professor Sloan added: “It was great to welcome the Secretary of State to the Quad, talk to her about issues affecting the higher education sector, and show her the work we’re doing here to boost skills, widen participation and drive forward investment in our region.

“We will shortly launch Ai:MATES using capital funding from the Office for students to support essential skills developments in Manufacturing, Agri-tech and Engineering.

“I presented our initial proposals for a new urban campus in Telford to bring different FE and HE institutions together to meet the needs of a growing and high-technology town. I presented these in the context of emerging regulatory and funding changes for the HE sector and how important specialist institutions like Harper Adams and other GuildHE members are in fulfilling the government’s industrial strategy ambitions.

“It was clear from our discussions that the Secretary of State understands this.”

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Meeting students, teachers and education leaders and hearing about their ambitions for Telford was incredibly valuable, and I’m grateful to Shaun Davies for bringing everyone together during such a productive visit.

“Hearing directly from pupils and staff provides real insight into what works and what doesn’t. For the government, this is key to shaping the change that actually benefits our families, especially in areas such as SEND provision, school funding, and opportunities for young people.

“Shaun is a real champion for Telford’s young people and local parents – he is determined to give children growing up in Telford the best start in life.”