Supporting schools and early years

Every school bar one in Steve Brine's Winchester & Chandler's Ford constituency is ranked 'Good' our 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, an impressive feat and testament to the hard work of local teachers, parents and pupils. Watch Steve make this point at PMQs.

Local MP Steve Brine made supporting schools one of his top priorities from the moment he was elected and one of his energetic campaigns during his first term was to lead calls for much needed new primary school places in Winchester. He keeps close tabs on the position in Chandler's Ford where school place planning must stay ahead of demand.

Conservative-led Hampshire County Council responded to that campaign with a £10m plan to the relief of families across the city. This brought 420 new primary places online for September 2014 and included expansions at St Peter's, All Saints and Weeke plus the creation of Hampshire's first 'all-through' school at The Westgate. With a nursery on-site, young people can now experience education on the Westgate site from 4-16.

Steve has also championed the move to Academy status (where driven by local parents and governing bodies) at Perins School in Alresford and Thornden in Chandler's Ford. Both school are Outstanding and hugely popular; the Alresford school now being part of a MAT (Multi Academy Trust) bringing the previously failing Sun Hill Juniors in the town under its' wing. Steve opposed his own Government's muted plans to force all schools to academise in 2016.

The MP regularly visits local schools, often taking part in Q&A sessions with children and hosts visits to Westminster's Education Centre. Email the team if you would like Steve to visit or find out more about Visiting Westminster.

Steve also serves as a Trustee on the University of Winchester Academy Trust which will run the new school at Kings Barton.

The constituency also has some world renowned schools in the private sector - Winchester College, Twyford School, Sherborne House, Princes' Mead and St Swithuns - and Steve Brine maintains good relationships with each of them.

Steve is also Chair of the influential All-Party Group for Children & Early Years in Parliament and campaigns to address the serious challenges facing this sector.

Pictured; Steve brought the Premier League trophy to Weeke School in Winchester as part of their Primary Stars programme, chatting with parents at Harestock Primary School, meeting pupils at Oliver's Battery Primary School and addressing a public meeting on the need for new school places at The Westgate School shortly after being elected in 2010.

See below Steve's strong track record of work in this area ...

News

MP visit to Toynbee School reveals a blast from the past

Toynbee School in Chandler's Ford had a visit from local MP, Steve Brine, today.

The MP, who was accompanied by his daughter Emily, met with long-standing Headteacher Matthew Longden and met pupils and staff across the school.

MP meets new VC of University of Winchester

Steve Brine was back at the University of Winchester for the first since Professor Sarah Greer had taken her post as the newest vice-chancellor of the city’s university.

MP gives talk to pupils at Kings’ School

Steve Brine paid a visit to Kings’ School in Winchester to speak to some of the students about the work of an MP and some of his experiences in Parliament.

MP visits Chandler's Ford Infants School's eco team

Local MP, Steve Brine, caught up with the eco helpers during a visit to Chandler’s Ford Infants School.

Mr Brine’s attention was drawn to the school’s eco team after their fundraising push for new litter pickers came across the desk of the Chandler’s Ford MP.

Anger and despair at ongoing CAMHS failings

Steve Brine has spoken movingly in Parliament about the ‘despair’ many of his constituents feel at the ongoing issues accessing children’s mental health services in Hampshire.