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 visits Sun Hill Juniors in Alresford

Steve Brine visited Sun Hill junior school in Alresford on Friday 11th October as he met staff and pupils at what he described as a 'happy school'.   Speaking after a busy morning in Alresford, and on the way to his surgery, Steve said: "It's rare these days, certainly in my constituency

Welcome for school meal pledge

Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine has welcomed a Government announcement that pupils at local infant schools are to get free school lunches from next September.   The change – which will apply for children in reception, year one and year two - will save parents about £400 a year

Issue of summer-born children raised in Parliament

Local MP Steve Brine is raising the issue of 'summer born' children as the Department for Education publishes new advice on when they can start school.   Concerns have long existed that children born in July and August are often expected to start school too early, when they are just four, and

A new building for Sherborne House

Steve Brine officially opened a new building at Sherborne House school on Friday 6th September, a few months after he cut the first piece of turf.   Aided by the school's four senior prefects, Steve performed the opening ceremony by cutting a ribbon tied across the £1.2m facility, comprising

All Saints visit Parliament

All Saints Church of England School visited Parliament on Wednesday 17th July for a tour of the House and met up with their MP, Steve Brine.   Following their tour of Parliament, Steve met up with children and staff from the Highcliffe school, and hosted a lively Q&A session, which covere

MP hosts Merdon Junior School in Parliament

Steve Brine hosted children from Merdon Junior School, based in Chandler's Ford, in the House of Commons on Wednesday 26th June.   Pupils and staff enjoyed a tour of both Houses of Parliament before meeting up with their MP in the sunshine for a chat. Steve said: "It was great to host yet an

St Peter's School Fete

Steve Brine and his family attended a packed St Peter's School Fete on the afternoon of Saturday 15th June. The event was packed full of activities, stalls and games, and also had a delicious array of food on offer. Speaking afterwards, Steve said: "I get invited to attend or open lots of fetes so

Crossing celebrated in Parliament

Staff and pupils at Osborne School in Winchester joined Steve Brine in the House of Commons on Wednesday 12th June to celebrate their new Andover Road crossing.   They had lobbied Steve last year, writing to him and even travelling to Parliament to make the case, and following the completion

Hiltingbury Juniors visit Parliament

Steve Brine hosted staff and children from Hiltingbury Junior School as they took in a tour of the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 11th June.   As well as being guided around the ancient palace, and seeing the House of Commons themselves, they also met with Steve, the MP for Chandler's Ford a

MP meets The O.W.L. at Otterbourne Primary School

Steve Brine met with staff and pupils at Otterbourne Primary School on Friday 7th June, and was introduced to a unique learning tool. The Otterbourne Wildlife Lodge is a newly purpose built self sustaining eco building on a unique Site of Importance for Nature Conservation located within the heart