On being elected, I visited almost every one of our local primary and secondary schools. We have a great community of schools, led by excellent Headteachers, their staff and local governors. Teachers have a huge impact on children’s futures and so I want all our children to be taught by the brightest and the best. I am aware that during the pandemic teachers and educational staff faced many challenges and played an incredible role in ensuring that children continued to receive a fantastic education.

In February 2022, alongside my East Sussex MP colleagues we were able to secure the county as one of 55 areas in the country to benefit from improved schools, as a part of the Government’s Levelling Up white paper. As a new Education Investment Area, the Department for Education offers retention payments to help schools keep the best teachers in the highest priority subjects. This was important funding for many schools and helped ease financial pressures experienced at these schools. More can be read about this here.

The Schools White Paper, published in March 2022, sets out the Government’s long-term vision of a school system that helps every child to fulfil their potential by ensuring that they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. The Government will achieve these ambitions by delivering an excellent teacher for every child, high standards of curriculum, attendance and behaviour, targeted support for every child who needs it, and a stronger and fairer school system that works for every child.

More money than ever before is being invested in schools, ensuring every child gets a world class education. In 2024-25, the total core schools budget will be at its highest ever level, in both real terms and in real terms per pupil. This budget will total over £59.6 billion in 2024-25, an over £1.8 billion increase from this year – on top of the more than £3.9 billion rise in 2023-24.

Mainstream schools in England will receive an average of around £6,000 for each pupil from next year through the National Funding Formula, with additional funding for teacher pay on top of that. Overall, funding will be at its highest ever level in real terms per pupil in 2024-25, as measured by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, underlining the Government’s commitment to education.

Alongside this, since 2015, the Government has made substantial investments in maintaining and enhancing school facilities across England, totalling over £13 billion. This fiscal year, the Government has allocated £1.8 billion to further improve these spaces. Such investments are part of a broader commitment, as announced during the 2021 Spending Review, which encompasses a huge £19.4 billion in capital funding dedicated to supporting the education sector between 2022-23 and 2024-25. Furthermore, in May, the Government announced the outcome of the 2023-24 round of the Condition Improvement Fund for schools. Following a rigorous assessment process, the Department for Education is assigning almost £456 million to 1,033 projects at 859 academies, sixth-form colleges, and voluntary aided schools.

Moreover, the Government is embarking on a ten-year school rebuilding program, aiming to rebuild 500 schools in England over the coming decade. This ambitious initiative will significantly enhance the educational experience for thousands of students. In December 2022, the Government unveiled the provisional selection of an additional 239 schools and sixth form colleges for the School Rebuilding Programme, on the 161 previously announced, bringing the total to 400 schools selected to date. These selections are based on the condition of the buildings, encompassing primary, secondary, special schools, and sixth form colleges.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank teachers again for their remarkable commitment throughout the difficult times over the past three years.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.