Ensuring local children get the best start in life and get into good careers is a top priority for me. To do this we need to ensure our local schools are well funded and that they have strong links to local employers. Schools in Morley and Outwood have received an extra £8.6 million since 2011 through the Pupil Premium, a government initiative to give support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I’ve launched business and skills surveys for school children and employers to help our schools give their students the schools they need to find good employment locally.
Education has the power to change people’s lives; it can lift people out of poverty, improve job prospects and strengthen our economy by providing the right skills that businesses need. Having worked in schools I do have a deep interest and have visited many schools in our area and brought Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Sports Minister Helen Grant to visit them. Having graduated in 2014 as a mature student I understand the value of education, I have also been into our local schools to talk to students and have a Q&A session and being involved in the Leeds University Freshers Fair as I want to encourage as many young people as possible to get involved and have an interest in politics.
Many local schools have improved greatly, in fact 393% more pupils achieved the English Baccalaureate (5 GCSEs graded A*-C in core subjects) in 2014 than in 2010. Academies like Outwood Grange, Rhodillian, Woodkirk and Morley all did the area proud with good results in 2014. I have also started an initiative to link schools with employers through the Morley and Outwood Business Association, with the aim of making sure our young people leave education equipped to find good jobs locally.
Promoting the good work of our teachers http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/news/local-teachers-praised-prime-minister
Celebrating the hard work of students in Woodkirk Academy http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/news/woodkirk-academy-merit-assembly
Andrea Graduates aged 40 http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/news/my-graduation
Andrea and Minister talk to Sixth Form Students
http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/news/justine-greening-visits-outwood-grange-academy
Encouraging young peole to take an interest in politics http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/news/leeds-university-freshers-fayre
Minister visits Morley Academy http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/news/maria-miller-mp-visits-morley-leisure-centre-and-morley-academy