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 joins school cycle bus

Local MP, Steve Brine, joined a special school-bound cycle 'bus' this morning from Colden Common & Twyford into Winchester. Steve rode with parents and children from Twyford - meeting up with riders from Twyford - to Westgate and Kings School before 8am this morning.

Winchester MP questions BTEC removal in Commons debate

Steve Brine MP has questioned the Government’s plans to remove BTECs, during a Westminster Hall debate led by Labour MP, Marsha De Cordova. Following an e-petition against the scrapping of BTEC’s which garnered over 13,000 signatures from across the country and over 400 from Winchester and Chandler

Perins' students receive visit from local MP

A class of year 10s at Perins School received a special visit from their local MP, Steve Brine MP, before he travelled up to Westminster for anther busy week. Steve Brine dropped into the Alresford School to visit a group of citizenship students to follow-up on their recent visit to the Houses of P

MP raises nursery ratios change in Commons

Steve Brine has raised concerns over a proposed change to ratios in nurseries, as the Government announce new plans to address the cost, choice and availability of childcare. Education Ministers were in the House of Commons to answer questions from MPs as the department, shortly before the session,

Alresford teacher honoured at awards in Parliament

A citizenship teacher from Perins School, in Alresford, has been honoured at the Association for Citizenship Teaching awards during an event at the Houses of Parliament. Bryden Joy was nominated alongside over one hundred outstanding Citizenship teachers, school leaders and organisations from acros

Harestock Primary visit Parliament

A group of children from Harestock Primary School had a unique experience when they travelled to London on Tuesday 14th June. They were welcomed to the Houses of Parliament by their local MP, Steve Brine, and education guides gave the children a grand tour and an outline of some of the history of t

Steve Brine MP quizzed by pupils on visit to Compton All Saints Primary

Pupils from Compton All Saints Primary School had the opportunity to quiz their local MP, Steve Brine, on local and national issues during his visit to the village school.  The children’s questions covered a variety of topics, including recycling in Winchester, local support for Ukraine, what

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. Steve says; "Matthew is one of only two Heads who've been in post longe

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. Last year, long-term vice-chancellor, Prof Joy Carter, announced that she would be stepping down after fifteen years in the job w

New SEND proposals bring hope says MP in Commons

The Government has today (Tuesday 29 March) unveiled their plan to level up opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. During a statement in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, unveiled the ‘Special Educat