Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Nash, is to visit the Isle of Wight in under two weeks time, it has been confirmed.
In a letter from Education Secretary Michael Gove to Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Newport West) yesterday, Mr Gove confirmed that Lord Nash will visit the Island on Thursday 17th July and also announced that two other Ministers, David Laws MP (Minister for Schools) and Edward Timpson MP (Minister for Children & Families) would also be taking part in the visit.
Speaking yesterday, Cllr Whitehouse, who speaks on Education for the Conservative Group of Isle of Wight Councillors, said:
“It’s a demonstration of the keen interest that the Government is taking in Island schools and children’s services that no less than three Minister are coming to check the facts on the ground. I very much welcome this visit.”
Mr Gove’s letter also specifically welcomes the Councillor’s ‘commitment to improving education standards across the Isle of Wight’ and mentions the Councillor’s recent article on Conservative Home which highlighted over-capacity issues on the Island.
Cllr Whitehouse continued:
“I very much hope the Education Funding Agency and Education Department Officials will really get to grips with the projections of demand and surplus capacity on the Island so that we can ensure our schools are fit for purpose moving forwards.
“Driving up standards remains my number one priority and I am delighted that this has been acknowledged by the Secretary of State himself.”
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Photo: Denisse Bradly
