Priti Patel meets with Schools Minister to discuss educational attainment in Witham
Witham MP, Priti Patel, met with the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP, yesterday to discuss ways to improve educational attainment across the Witham constituency [Monday 23 July 2018].
At the meeting, Priti and the Minister discussed the performance figures for all schools across the constituency from phonics assessments at Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 assessments. They also discussed ways in which schools could improve teaching and learning methods to improve educational outcomes for all pupils.
Representatives from Essex County Council were also in attendance at the meeting – Cllr. Ray Gooding, Cabinet Member for Education, Elizabeth Cornish, Assistant Director for Education for Mid Essex, and Alison Fiala, Head of Education and Early Years for Mid Essex. Essex County Council discussed the ways the Council can intervene to help improve attainment in schools and which schools in the Witham constituency are working in partnership to raise standards.
Following the meeting, Priti said:
“I am very grateful to the Minister for agreeing to meet with me and Essex County Council to discuss educational attainment in my constituency.
“In April, Essex County Council published a report in which the statistics for schools in my area were a cause for concern, with some schools falling below the county and national average for Progress 8 results at Key Stage 4.
“In the Witham constituency, we have some fantastic examples of schools doing tremendous work raising standards and helping children to achieve their potential. I am keen to build on this and ensure that good practices are shared. I was pleased to hear from Essex County Council that a number of schools in my constituency are now working in partnership to share good practices and raise standards for all.
“The Minister also shared details about approaches taken in other schools nationally to improve attainment levels and it is welcome that Essex County Council has agreed to take these on board and see whether these methods can help improve outcomes in Witham.
“This year’s exam results will be published in August and they will be a good indicator to show whether the methods employed by the County Council to help schools have made an impact. The Minister has agreed to meet with me again later this year to track progress and I will continue to support all schools in my constituency to ensure all children have the best educational start in life.”