The Labour MP for Isle of Wight West, Richard Quigley, was pleased to welcome Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould MP to the Isle of Wight for a visit focused on SEND provision and educational leadership.
Roundtable feedback shared with minister
Following the publication of the Schools White Paper, the MP hosted four local roundtable discussions with SEND educators and parents. These sessions provided an opportunity to gather first-hand perspectives, which were subsequently shared with the Secretary of State for Education in a formal letter outlining parents’ concerns.
The visit enabled Richard to relay this feedback directly to the Minister as well as highlighting how the Island’s implementing positive changes to learning environments.
Schools visited during the day
The visit included a tour of Lionheart School in Cowes, followed by a visit to Nine Acres Primary School. Before concluding at the Newport Family Hub.
Throughout the day, the Minister met with educational leaders and teachers as well as representatives from the Isle of Wight Council’s Children’s Services team, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing local schools. The Minister’s visit followed the recent £4 million investment in SEND provision on the Island.
T-Level students meet the minister
The visit also gave Richard’s three T-Level placement students, Tobey, Jack and Hayden, the opportunity to meet the Minister and share their experience of education on the Island as well as their progress with their T-Level qualification.
Island strengths and pressures highlighted
Richard Quigley MP said,
“It was such a pleasure to welcome Georgia to the Island. The Minister was absolutely blown away by the strength of leadership and sense of community on display across our school, as well as how quickly the schools visited have implemented such positive changes.
“Importantly, the visit also gave her the chance to experience some of the day-to-day realities of living and working here, including the challenges of cross-Solent travel, which we know can have a real impact on families, staff and recruitment. At the same time, she saw firsthand the incredible opportunities our Island offers, from dedicated teaching staff to strong community support.
“Crucially, she also heard directly about the concerns that remain, particularly around SEND provision and the pressures facing families and educators. I’m really pleased she was able to see both the strengths we’re so proud of and the areas where we know more needs to be done.”
Council welcomes government engagement
Strategic Director of Children’s Services at the Isle of Wight Council Ashley Whittaker said,
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Gould to the Island.
“It is so important for government decision makers to understand the unique opportunities and challenges we have here, and we were pleased that she was able to talk to a wide range of colleagues from schools, the council and the voluntary and community sector as well as children and young people.”
The Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould MP said,
“A huge thank you to Richard and team for inviting me to see the amazing work underway on the Isle of Wight to support young people with SEND.
“There were so many examples of exceptional leadership across the Island – from the teachers at Nine Acres determined to open up opportunities for all, to the team at Barnado’s providing vital support to young families and the incredible staff at Lionheart School supporting children back into formal education.
“This is all despite some of the unique challenges around workforce and service delivery in an Island setting and testament to the efforts of Richard, the local council and all those in the system working together to support young people with SEND on the Isle of Wight to achieve.”
News shared by the office of Richard Quigley MP. Ed
