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 quizzes Education Secretary as schools return

Schools across the country have returned this week and the Secretary of State for Education gave a statement to House of Commons. Nadhim Zahawi, outlined additional measures that schools would adhere to, to ensure the disruption experienced from covid was reduced as much as possible.

If we want schools open we need to make it happen says MP

Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine, joined colleagues in the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Harlow brought forward an Urgent Question on school openings in January. Steve who has regularly voiced his opposition to school closures throughout the pandemic quizzed the G

MP catches up with headteacher at Thornden School

Local MP, Steve Brine, spent time at Thornden School as he has a long-needed, face to face, catch up with the Headteacher, Su Whelan and students. Steve had briefly dropped into Thornden for an event celebrating the reopening of the new and improved Thornden Hall, which had been opened in September

MP turns Santa to help pre-school this Christmas

Local MP, Steve Brine, donned his Santa hat today to bring a touch of Christmas to a pre-school in Micheldever Station. Micheldever and Stratton Pre-School recently moved to its new home at the Warren Centre, from East Stratton, and had a visit from Mr Brine last Friday. Steve says; “When I droppe

Barton Peveril students receive visit and lesson from MP

During a visit to Barton Peveril College, Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine, spent part of the day teaching first and second year politics students. The politics students received an MP’s view of Parliament as Mr Brine took the classes through electoral systems, covering the pros and

MP joins St Peters on their virtual visit to Pariament

Winchester's MP Zoomed into St Peter's Catholic Primary School as they took part in a virtual visit to Parliament with the Parliamentary Education Centre. With tours and visits still put on hold in Westminster, the St Peter's students learnt about the House of Commons from their classroom with thei

Peter Symonds College funding success

Peter Symonds College in Winchester has been successful in bidding and the Government have awarded it investment from the Post-16 Capacity Fund. Peter Symonds College will be able to develop new high quality flexible buildings or facilities, to ensure there will be sufficient places for 16 - 19 lea

Huge funding uplift for early years

Steve Brine has welcomed good news for early education in the Budget. As Chair of the all-party group for Childcare and Early Education our MP has negotiated a £170m uplift in funding paid to early years providers.

MP takes politics lesson during visit to Winchester College

The Member of Parliament for Winchester, Steve Brine, lead a sixth form politics class at Winchester College during a visit this morning. Steve visited the college to catch-up with the headteacher, Dr Hands, to hear about issues and experiences from the past year as well as looking forwards beyond

MP visits St Faith’s Primary School on special day

Steve Brine dropped into St Faith’s CofE Primary School this afternoon on what was a very special day for the St Cross based school. The MP met with the staff and students on a visit which had been postponed several times due to Covid lockdowns and coincided with elections to the new School Council