Readers of this Echo column may know that social mobility is the single biggest reason why I left the law to stand for Parliament. Talent is spread equally across Cheltenham, from the most affluent areas to the most deprived, but I knew more could be done to unlock that potential for all our young people.
Securing a good education is critical. It’s no good having great local employers, such as GCHQ or GE Aviation, if schools aren’t able to provide a pipeline of motivated, qualified employees ready to take up those opportunities.
So I was delighted that Rishi Sunak announced at the recent Budget that there will be an additional £2 billion for education recovery in England, taking the total so far this year to nearly £5 billion more. There will also be a cash increase for every child of £1,500 per year by 2024/25.
He also announced £2.6 billion more for additional school places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Back in 2015, Cheltenham’s schools were some of the worst funded in the country. For decades, previous Governments had channelled education funding into big metropolitan areas like Liverpool and Manchester, and away from Gloucestershire. Whereas local secondary schools like Bournside and Pittville were receiving around £4,100 per pupil, schools in some London boroughs received thousands more.
That was wrong, and I campaigned against it. Now, under a new formula, there is a minimum front-line funding of £5,150 per pupil for Cheltenham's secondary schools, with £1,500 to come. When you add on around £30m investment in the brand new Leckhampton High School, and a major £6 million revamp of Warden Hill School, our schools offer is strengthening.
The work isn’t done, and there’s more to do to finish the job. I’ll carry on the fight, including in areas such as post-16 support.
Together we can ensure social mobility in Cheltenham accelerates further still.
[Column published in the Gloucestershire Echo]