Education & Young People
Ensuring that everyone gets the best start in life, from early years provision to great post-16 opportunities.
Best Start Hubs, free Breakfast Clubs, putting SEND families at the heart of the policy process, and much more!
My Record
Here's what I've been up to as your Member of Parliament for Southend West and Leigh, standing up for our young people, our schools, and making sure everyone gets the best start in life!
Engaging With Schools
As the MP for Southend West and Leigh, it's really important to me that schools feel supported and that pupils of all year groups both know how important getting involved in their community is, and also who their MP is too!
That's why I am committed to visiting every school in the constituency, and support those schools who pop up to Parliament as well!
Some of my toughest questions have been asked by our local schoolchildren so the future is in safe hands!
See Every Need in Southend
SEND forms a large proportion of my casework, as my team and I assist many SEND families with concerns around EHCPs, alternative provision, further support, and post-16 opportunities. This is why I have launched See Every Need, designed to put local voices at the heart of policy change.
Already, we have submitted three reports to the Education Secretary and contributed to the Schools White Paper. Southend West and Leigh is helping lead the way for change.
Securing Investment
Championing Southend West and Leigh in Parliament not only means talking up what our constituency offers, but also what it could offer! That's why I'm very pleased that we have seen our area lead the way with brand new Government schemes.
As well as securing £132,000 for a new Best Start Family Hub, we have also seen Eastwood Academy become one of only 93 Attendance and Behaviour Hubs in the country, and the Digital Inclusion Fund investing £45,000 for inclusive tech at the St Christopher School!
Breakfast Clubs in Southend
Labour's free breakfast clubs are already saving many parents in Southend West and Leigh an estimated £450 a year. With the rollout across the country ongoing, we have been so fortunate to see three brand new free breakfast clubs already in operation!
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to visit each one at Our Lady of Lourdes, Victory Park Academy, and Sutton House Academy - and serve up some breakfast!
Rebuilding... Old & New
Some schools in Southend have needed desperate repair and regeneration for years, after the previous Government's neglect.
I'm proud to stand with them and press the Department for Education to ensure those schools on the rebuilding programme get what they need. At present, these are Blenheim Primary School and Kingsdown School. We've also seen new school nurseries, like the one in Chalkwell!
Regular Youth Days
Getting young people involved in politics and their communities is more than just a simple buzzword - it's necessary for a thriving and healthy society.
That's why I host regular Youth Days in the constituency, inviting young people to hear from inspirational speakers, share their views on what could be improved for them in Southend and Leigh, and take part in thought-provoking and fun activities run alongside volunteers!