Following on from his question to the Prime Minister regarding poor educational standards in coastal communities, Martin raised this issue once again in the House during questions to the Department for Education. Martin asked Edward Timpson MP, Minister of State for Children and Families at the Department for Education, what support was being offered to improve educational standards in areas such as his constituency: Cleethorpes. Following this question to the Minister, Martin met the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, to discuss this issue further.
You can watch Martin’s question to Edward Timpson MP on the player below. You can also read the whole debate here.
Martin Vickers: Coming from a disadvantaged background is just one reason for poor educational attainment, and in coastal communities such as my constituency, that is a particular issue. In addition to the national teaching service, what support is given to areas such as mine?
Edward Timpson: The national teaching service has been an important innovation in trying to ensure that we have a strong teaching workforce in all parts of the country, including my hon. Friend’s constituency. That is why we have made significant investment in those areas where recruitment has been more difficult in the past, such as in STEM subjects, among others. It is also why we continue to ensure that we pay the pupil premium to those schools so that, through the virtual school heads and other support, they are getting the standard of teaching they deserve.