As a father to two young children, and with a wife who is a governor at a local school, I know just how important it is to have superb local schools to choose from, and how crucial education is to every child's development. This is never truer than in today's fast-changing, high-tech world.
Every child should have access to an outstanding school place, to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take themselves anywhere that their talent and enthusiasm can lead them. West Oxfordshire is lucky to have many outstanding schools and standards have increased significantly in recent years - with 95% of our local schools now rated Good or Outstanding - but there is more to do as we work together to expand education opportunities for all.
Since being elected as your MP, I have visited most of West Oxfordshire's schools and am in frequent contact with all local headteachers about education issues. These key relationships enable me to understand the issues facing schools in detail and to make effective representations to Ministers on their behalf. I am delighted that these representations have secured a huge success for West Oxfordshire’s schools, with funding being levelled-up to ensure that every secondary school will receive a minimum of £5,000 per pupil, and at least £4,000 per pupil for primary schools. This major funding boost will also see our hard-working teachers get a pay rise, and more money invested to support pupils with special educational needs.
