To read my speech on School Sport (Click Here)


Supporting Local Schools

I look at education and what happens in schools as much as a parent as an MP.  As a parent and school governor, I saw what the Tories did to our state education system when they were in power.

I'm proud of the progress we've made so far across this constituency.  It has been a privilege to work with local schools to secure major rebuilds and improvements, some of which are listed below.

Local schools have received my support in securing major Government investment. They are doing a great job in raising standards. It is great progress in reversing the effects of decades of underfunding.

Huge progress has been made.  But there is still a great deal to do to ensure all schools get a share of this investment.  I will go on visiting all 46 schools in the constituency to help them secure the investment they need.

Our local achievements include:

Primary Schools

FIVE new primary schools have been built in this constituency: Pudsey Waterloo; Pudsey Bolton Royd; Yeadon Rufford Park; Rawdon Littlemoor and Horsforth St Margaret's.

That's five more than we got in 18 years of Tory government.

Many others have received new classrooms, and have got rid of dilapidated old huts and outside toilets. Many have new windows and heating.

Improvements include:

•new extensions for Primrose Hill and Southroyd

•new classroom and community room at Tyersal

•new classrooms at Greenside, Calverley CoE, and Tranmere Park

•Queensway used money I helped to secure for getting rid of outside school toilets

•new computer suite at Westfield

•removal of outside toilets at four schools with special funding I helped secure

High Schools

I have supported each of the six successful applications from local high schools for Government specialist college status.

We have also been able to secure significant Government investment in our high schools, and more is in the pipeline.

I helped Horsforth to obtain £600,000 Government funding for a permanent replacement to its sixth form centre when it was destroyed by fire. I also recently opened the school's new £1.2 million e-learning, fitness and changing room facilities.

Pudsey Priesthorpe and St Mary's Comprehensive are doing an excellent job as Specialist Sport Colleges.  This, together with securing funding from the Government's sports co-ordinator, is allowing them to support sport in all the primary and high schools in this constituency.

To read my speech on School Sport (Click Here)

Benton Park has received £1.8 million investment in much-needed new labs and classrooms, and further improvements are to start soon.

Priesthorpe has also replaced temporary huts with a major new extension providing new classrooms and reception.  The school's sports hall is also being refurbished.

Guiseley School has benefited from investment as one of the Government's specialist Technology Colleges.

Crawshaw has undergone a massive £8.2 million building programme not only to replace fire damaged teaching space, but also to provide a new sports hall, drama and library facilities. I have also supported its application to become a specialist Humanities College.

Grangefield has become a Maths and IT specialist college, and is to be rebuilt as part of the Government's Building Schools for the future programme. It also houses the Pudsey annex of Park Lane College, which I helped to secure.