I had a great deal of sympathy with the shadow minister, who spoke very emotionally of the inspirational teachers at his sixth-form college some years ago. Over the last couple of months, I have been highlighting to government ministers the importance of the sixth-form sector, which I firmly believe we benefit from in Hampshire.
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Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP (Image: Contributed) This constituency is well-served by Barton Peveril, Peter Symonds, Brockenhurst, Richard Taunton and other colleges, but many other parts of the country have 11-18 through schools and the whole concept of a separate 6th form college is unusual. I am sure that is a significant part of the reason why they are funded differently, and that in itself is causing challenges for the sector here.
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Of course, there are many different models of post-16 education, and it was great to attend an event this week where the benefit of apprenticeships was being firmly advocated. Local employers, including Leonardo and BAE Systems, had brought some of their apprentices (both current and former) to Parliament and they all spoke passionately about the benefits apprenticeships had offered them.
This Friday looks like a very busy constituency day, with surgery appointments, a visit to Southampton Airport, a chance to chat support to cancer patients with MacMillan at Boots in Romsey, a trip to the roundabout cafe in Swaythling and then Appleshaw Parish Council. Hopefully, the snow will hold off and the roads will be navigable, if not it will be back to Zoom meetings!
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP,
Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North,
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons,
13 Market Place,
Romsey
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