This in from Chris Whitehouse in his own words. Ed
Rumours that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Nash, is to visit the Island in the near future were confirmed yesterday in a letter from Education Secretary, Michael Gove, to Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Newport West) who speaks on Education for the Conservative Group of Isle of Wight Councillors; but in a surprising development Mr Gove announced 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 on 17th July.
Speaking yesterday, Cllr Whitehouse says:
“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 who is also Director of the Westminster Education Forum which is regularly addressed by Government Ministers and senior officials, says,
“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.”
Image: Policy Exchange under CC BY 2.0
