Jack Brereton MP has welcomed the news that schools in Stoke-on-Trent will receive extra support as one of 55 new Education Investment Areas under plans to Level Up education for children and young people across England.
As part of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, 55 areas across the country will receive targeted support to help young people from all backgrounds receive the highest standards of education.
Education Investment Areas will help – ensure that talented children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the learning they need to progress into training or higher education. They will also be eligible for retention payments to help schools maintain the best teachers in high priority subjects, and they will be able to access a new pilot programme improve pupil attendance.
The Government introduced a new national mission to ensure that 90 per cent of children leaving primary school in England are reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths by 2030.
95 per cent of the areas selected as an Education Investment Area are outside London and the South East – with schools in areas like Stoke-on-Trent set to receive the most support, levelling up education across England.
Commenting on the announcement that the Government will invest in and give greater support to Stoke-on-Trent schools, Jack Brereton MP said:
“I welcome this Government action to prioritise support to help deliver school improvement in Stoke-on-Trent through the new Education Investment Areas.
This will build on and strengthen the work done locally in schools through the Opportunity Area. Every young person in our city should have the best possible education to ensure they can achieve their full potential and it remains one of our top priorities to ensure we continue to build on the progress we are making, to see education standards improve across Stoke-on-Trent.”
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:
“The most valuable resource on the planet is the human resource. Investing in people to get on in life and receive the best possible education is core to the mission of this Government, and we are determined to help people gain the knowledge and skills needed to unleash their potential.
“This White Paper sets out our blueprint for putting skills, schools and families at the heart of levelling up. It focuses on putting great schools in every part of the country, training that sets you up for success in a high-skilled, well-paid career and ensuring no one misses out on opportunities simply because of where they live or their family background.
“Raising our expectations and aspirations for children, as well as creating a high-skilled workforce, will end the brain drain that sees too many people leaving communities in order to succeed. These plans will help create a level playing field and boost the economy, both locally and nationally.”
