A good school place for every child

Our children deserve the best education this country has to offer. 

My aims

  • Two new schools for Maidstone
  • A good school place for every child

New schools for Maidstone

We desperately need more school places in and around Maidstone. Some primary school children are already having to travel miles, and the situation is only going to get worse in the next few years.

I campaigned hard for more primary school places, and was very pleased when the Department for Education announced plans to open the Maidstone Primary School and Bearsted Academy on the Kent Medical Campus. The plans for these much needed schools were welcomed by the local community, in an area facing a serious shortfall in primary school places. 

My mission now is to get through the planning wrangles and get these schools open as soon as possible.

How is the Government supporting schools?

In parallel to the work on the funding formula, the Government has committed to the following:

  • School funding will rise to £43.5 billion in 2019-20
  • By 2019/20 every secondary school pupil will receive at least £4,800 and every secondary school will receive £3.500. Schools in Faversham and Mid Kent are getting a £6.4% increase in funding – that’s £2.7 million more.
  • Standards are rising, with nearly 10,000 more children now in good or outstanding schools

 

Attachments

Attachment Size
Letter to the Prime Minister 230.17 KB
David Cameron School Funding Letter 481.16 KB

News

£5,000 for every secondary school pupil

I’m pleased the Schools Minister has listened to my request for extra funding for Kent schools.

Every secondary school in Faversham and Mid Kent will now be guaranteed at least £5,000 per pupil with every primary school pupil getting at least £3,750 from central funds.

Celebrating National Libraries Week in Maidstone

I visited Maidstone Library on Friday 4 October ahead of this year’s National Libraries Week (7-12 October).

This was my first visit to the Library in my role as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism – which includes responsibility for libraries and museums.

More money for Kent schools

Schools in Kent will get a share of an extra £14 billion the Government has committed to education funding between now and 2022/23.

Reconsider entrance to new Bearsted school

Children in Maidstone and Bearsted desperately need two new schools and I’ve fought to get them open as soon as possible - including helping secure funding .

A2 crossing chaos at Abbey school must end

I visited Abbey School at going-home time and it was quite clear that the bridge over the A2 is inadequate. Hundreds of children all need to cross the road at the same time and the bridge is too narrow. Quite apart from the fact that it’s impossible for anyone who can’t manage steps.

New money means Maidstone schools get the go-ahead

Children in Maidstone desperately need a new primary school and a special needs school to open as soon as possible – or there’s a real risk some could have to travel miles across the county every day.

Sharing the magic of reading at Platts Heath primary school

Jack and the Beanstalk is a story about planting magic beans and starting an adventure – it’s a great metaphor for reading. I saw first-hand how books can sow seeds of imagination in children’s minds when I visited Platt’s Heath Primary School a few weeks ago.