On Wednesday 9th October, Anthony Mangnall, the Totnes Conservative Party Candidate, was pleased to welcome, the Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, to South Devon College for a meeting with Headteachers and Principals from local secondary schools and colleges.
The visit provided a forum to discuss new proposals for the education sector, in particular the possibilities brought about by recently announced funding increases.
Mr Williamson also took questions on topics such as curriculum flexibility to enable students to undertake work placements, and promotion of vocational courses to provide greater parity with the university education system.
These evolutions in the education system hope to give students greater exposure to the work environment from a young age, allowing them to make well informed decisions on their future careers.
Speaking having met with the headteachers, Gavin Williamson said “Totnes needs a campaigner who can deliver. I was so pleased Anthony was able to arrange the fantastic meeting between the Principals and Headteachers of so many of the schools across the constituency with me and my team. The constructive and valuable conversation highlighted the important balance between vocational and academic education and how we need to deliver for all local children. I look forward to continuing to work with Anthony who will be both a constructive and strong voice; able to deliver for the schools, residents and businesses of Totnes.”
Anthony said, ‘while there are a number of challenges facing our local centres of education I am looking forward to working with these Headteachers and others in the constituency to deliver the very best education to all of our children and young adults.