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 tours new sports facility at Winchester College

Local MP Steve Brine visited Winchester College (Friday April 19) to take an exclusive look at their state-of-art new sports centre. The new facility, located between the playing fields on Kingsgate Park and Norman Road, is being constructed as three 'pavilions'; the fitness centre, sports hall and

MP visits new Head at Fryern

Chandler's Ford MP, Steve Brine, visited Fryern Schools on Friday to meet new Headteacher Jeremy Payne and the school council. As was as taking a look round the new buildings, and meeting each class, the MP took questions on a wide range of local and national subjects from the large school council

Workforce challenge in early years not new says MP

Chair of the All-Party Group for Childcare and Early Education, Steve Brine MP, has highlighted workforce challenges facing the sector during a debate on the Education Department’s plans to roll out 15 hours of funded childcare to 2-year-olds in working families from April 2024. Mr Brine raised con

MP visits All Saints Primary School

The Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler's Ford paid an early morning visit to All Saints Church of England Primary School in Highcliffe. Steve spent his time catching up with the Headteacher, Jane Hall, pupils at the school and other staff members.

MP meets new head boy at Western Primary School

Steve Brine MP dropped into Western Church of England Primary School to catch-up with the Headteacher Peter Burbridge and his team. The MP also had the opportunity to meet the new head boy and girl (pictured with head boy Theo) and was kindly invited to officially hand over their badges as they pre

MP visits Sparsholt College

The Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler's Ford spent an afternoon at Sparsholt College with the Principal, Julie Milburn. During a tour of the extensive site Steve learnt about a handful of the wide range of courses they offer including the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium

MP speaks to future school councillors as Colden Common Primary School

Steve Brine dropped into Colden Common Primary School to meet the new headteacher, Carly Redfern, and meet some of the year 5s and 4s who are hoping to the be school councillors. Following a tour around the site with the outgoing school councillors and deputy headteacher Jon Chalke, Steve joined ye

MP visits Colden Common Pre-School

Winchester MP, Steve Brine, was invited to join village pre-school manager Lara Webster at Colden Common Pre-School today. Steve, who also chairs the all-party group for Childhood & Early Education in Parliament enjoyed touring the setting, witnessing the vast opportunities for the children and

MP meets new headteacher of John Keble Primary School

Steve Brine has paid a long overdue to visit to John Keble CofE Primary School in Hursley to catch-up with the staff and pupils as well as meet new headteacher, Amber Cole. Mr Brine said : "A visit to start the day to John Keble and a chance for my first meeting with Headteacher, Amber Cole.