Education Group welcomes newlyelected MPs to its schools and college

Marking the start of the new academic year, two local MPs have made a series of visits to several of London & South East Education’s Group’s schools and college campuses.

MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, Daniel Francis, has visited Woodside Academy, London South East Colleges’ Bexley and Campus and Belmont Academy, providing him with the opportunity to meet staff and students. Mr Francis was given a tour of the sites, to see the facilities and the diverse provision on offer.

Mr Francis was also keen to discuss some of the challenges that leaders and staff are facing in education - including funding issues, increased complexity of pupils’ needs and the impact of wider social problems on educators, such as poverty and mental health issues.

Having engaged in detailed discussions with students and staff at each visit throughout the week, Mr Francis gained insight into the inclusive practices across the Education Group’s diverse provision.

Reflecting on his visits, Daniel Francis MP said: "It has been an inspiring few days, seeing firsthand the amazing work being done at Woodside Academy, London South East Colleges’ Bexley Campus and Belmont Academy.

“From supporting children and young people with disabilities right through to adulthood - to engaging primary school pupils in politics and leadership, it's clear that the education being delivered in these fantastic settings, across Bexley, is thriving.

“It is important for me to hear from the people who are working on the front line of education delivery, about the challenges they face. My ambition is to help improve things for our communities in many different ways, and education is a central part of this mission.

“As a local MP, I am committed to working closely with education leaders, families and other stakeholders, to advocate for the services that constituents need and are entitled to –and I look forward to doing more of this as we move forward. I’ve very much enjoyed my visits this week and would like to thank the staff and students for making me so welcome.”

London South East Colleges also welcomed Clive Efford MP to the official opening of a brand-new STEM block at its Bromley Campus.

The state-of-the-art building was opened by the MP for Eltham and Chislehurst. Guests included the Mayor of Bromley Dr David Jeffreys, Councillor Denise Hyland and many employer partners including Neilcott Construction and ECS Systems.

The new £5.7 million facility, funded by the Department for Education's Post-16 Capacity Fund and T Level Capital Fund, will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for skills in critical sectors such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, and green technologies.

The building offers 800 sq metres of newly built and refurbished space, equipped with advanced tools and technology. It will help provide the nearly 1,000 learners enrolled on STEM-related courses at the College with practical experience essential to their future careers, as demand for these pathways continues to rise.

Speaking at the opening, Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Group Principal and CEO of London South East Colleges, thanked everyone involved in the project. She emphasised the positive impact that the investment will have for learners and employers, saying: "Our new STEM building is an excellent illustration of our commitment to providing the highest quality education and employment opportunities across the Borough. We appreciate the great support of our partners and stakeholders who have collaborated on this project with us, including the DfE, Local Authority and employers.

“For our current and future learners, this space offers hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment, giving them the skills they need to thrive in their careers. For employers, it means a stronger pipeline of qualified talent ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy."

Asfa Sohail, Executive Principal of London South East Colleges, shared further details about the project. Guests were then given a tour around the new facilities, with the opportunity to talk to staff and students.