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 welcomes comprehensive plan for families

Steve Brine has welcomed a comprehensive new plan to help families this Winter. The proposals were announced to ensure children and families get extra support, with councils given new funding to ensure vulnerable households do not go hungry or without essential items. They include: £170m Covid

Andover Road campaign goes to HCC

Just days after joining concerned parents on the school run to the new Barton Farm Academy, Steve Brine took their concerns to the man in charge of Hampshire's roads. The Winchester MP met with HCC Transport boss, Cllr Rob Humby, at his offices in Winchester. A group of local mums have e

Barton Farm Academy welcomes Local MP

Winchester’s newest school, Barton Farm Primary Academy, finally opened this half term and local MP Steve Brine dropped by today. Steve is a trustee of the University of Winchester sponsored project which will now provide primary education for local children living in the new community and bey

New school, new crossing says campaigners

Parents at Winchester’s newest school are asking council leaders to work with them on a new safe crossing for Andover Road.

They say lives are put at risk every day as they cross the busy road to get to Barton Farm Primary Academy which opened last month.

School visit takes in Prince's Mead

Winchester MP Steve Brine dropped into Prince's Mead School this afternoon. He met with Head, Peter Thacker, and Chair of Governors, Mel Renwick, for a catch-up on the school based near Kings Worthy. Like all schools, Prince's Mead has been juggling home learning alongside supporting key worker fa

MP to chair Early Years group

Steve Brine is to chair an influential new group in Parliament tasked with examining the future of early years. The MP, who represents Winchester and Chandler's Ford, had made the issue one of his priorities for the new Parliament after being re-elected in December's General Election. He was asked

Steve Brine MP - a virtual first with the 12th Winchester

Steve Brine today joined the 12th Winchester Cubs in a way that, even during his ten years as the city’s MP, he never thought he would. Like many, the 12th have adapted to the Coronavirus pandemic and have been holding their meetings via Zoom every week.