Education Archives - Tom Hunt MP for Ipswich

Tools with a Mission

April 4, 2023 0 Comments by Chris in Education

Today I visited the charity Tools with a Mission and met with Mike Griffin the Chief Executive and Paul White the Fundraising Officer. The business refurbishes and recycles old and used work tools, sort them into trade specific kits, and send them to developing countries in Africa, for projects that create sustainable jobs. There was a huge pile of tools, power tools, sewing machines and vices that were going to Zambia soon.

We heard some great stories of how Tools With A Mission had impacted people, giving them opportunities to both make their own living, but also employ others locally, positively impacting them, by giving them the tools to become tailors, electricians, and other trades. Some of the people that have received a kit in a developing country, have helped fund a school through working in producing furniture in their own carpentry workshop.

The charity has a huge meaning for the volunteers, and they administer a framework for a lot of post-work men to have a purpose, to get up and socialise. They create a setting for people who are lonely, often people who are past their working days or have SEND, to find newfound purpose and meaning, by helping others and working towards a common goal.

The business was established nearly 40 years ago, and they have 70-80 volunteers locally, with the oldest volunteer being 91 years old. Their headquarter is in Ipswich, and they have five vans, 8 paid members of staff, and 450 volunteers’ country wide.

Environmentally, they also do a huge amount of work, as they’re recycling 12,711 tool kits, machines, and large industrial tools, that otherwise would have gone to the local landfill. These old and used machines are given newfound purpose, saving 1,134 tonnes of Co2 emissions every single year, so they are great for the environment. Last year they won the BBC Suffolk Environmental Award, for making a huge impact by recycling tools.

UK Education for Change

February 22, 2023 0 Comments by Chris in Education

any occasions where I’ll be critical of the way UK aid is spent and where it’s sent. However, UK Education for Change which I saw in Bangladesh last month are doing some great work.

Large numbers of Bangladeshi girls are forced into child labour and are denied basic education. UK Education for Change works to change this. Quite a touching moment communicating with some of the girls and their parents via an interpreter about how their lives have been changed for the better.

Bangladesh is a fast developing country with increasing influence and of course a Commonwealth country with which we have strong ties.

There is a need for an aid budget but it needs to work in accordance with British interests and should also ideally be linked to increasing trade and Investment. Clearly morally it’s important the aid goes to where’s its really needed. Not to countries that don’t need it and which aren’t allies with which we have close links!

New Skills Centre

February 10, 2023 0 Comments by Chris in Education

Visited the New Skill Centre today to see their SEN school and meet with headteacher Mark Winston. I visited their centre for adults the other week, and it was great to hear about all the work they do for young people as well at their school. When I visited, they were having a “Paws for Thought” day to raise money for the Blue Cross charity.

The centre only opened in September 2019, and their building, a former church, originally had no classrooms. They’re off to a great start. Since opening, they’ve grown enormously and have already got a good all round Ofsted rating.

The NSC supports students aged 11-19 with complex needs like autism, some of whom have been out of school for many years. They help many students who have suffered trauma causing social issues, not just those with SEND. Post-16 students do placements and often help teach younger students.

NSC has classes of about 3-4 students in a nurturing environment, offering a full GCSE curriculum. Within a short space of time, their students make progress in interpersonal skills and confidence. 95% of students’ places are commissioned by local authority, and they’re very strict on having only students suitable to the environment. They’re independent but subscribe to the funding structure for SEN pupils, giving them more freedom to manage the school and funding.

During my visit, I met James, a post-16 student who has progressed hugely and is now going for a work placement. After two years here, he’s off to Suffolk New College to study business. It was great to learn about how much progress he’s made and hear about his future plans.

I also got to see the design and technology workshops. They have a 3-D printer and CAD software, and I saw some of the impressive projects the students have worked on.

The school also works closely with parents, gives confidence and breaks down barriers. I met Emma Mirams, the assistant head who is also in charge of mental health and pastoral care, and learned about the kind of extra support they offer.

The school is off to a great start, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and support more young people.

Children’s Minister visit to Bobby Robson School

December 15, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education

Was really pleased to have the Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho at the Sir Bobby Robson school this afternoon. She covers special educational needs as part of her role.

I’ve taken a keen interest in the school since it first opened only a few years so. Adam the head teacher and his team are doing a terrific job. Both myself and the Minister really enjoyed meeting so many of the pupils at the school and understanding more about their experiences.

In total there are now 66 at Sir Bobby. Many previous to being at Sir Bobby didn’t get the support they needed. Now they’re getting it and the progress many of them are making is uplifting.

Over the past few years the Government have increased the money put into special educational needs but the way Suffolk SEND is funded isn’t right. The amount of funding per pupil is lower than many comparable counties and this needs to change. I made this point to the Minister today and will be bringing it up in Parliament again next week.
We have another special school on the way on Woodbridge Road but even with that there is still not enough places at schools such as Sir Bobby. For every place at the school there is significant interest.

Suffolk Devolution deal

December 8, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education Infrastructure Local Economy Opportunities for young people

The Suffolk Devolution deal was officially agreed with Government Minister Lee Rowley this afternoon. This involves a significant amount of new funding for Suffolk and powers. Particularly over skills and things like adult education. It will include a £480 million investment fund over 30 years.

This does represent in my view an opportunity for Suffolk and Ipswich. It must be taken.
In principle I’ve always believed in decisions being taken as closely as possible to the people affected by those decisions.

Suffolk will only ever achieve its true potential if Ipswich achieves its true potential. The new devolution settlement for Suffolk must involve a strong focus on Ipswich. I will work with whoever I need to in order to try and ensure that.

I’m hoping this new model will help us get more investment into key infrastructure projects. Whether road or rail. There is much to be done.

Part of this will involve a new democratically elected leader of Suffolk County Council.

Visit to Ipswich Academy

November 26, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education

Great to visit Ipswich Academy yesterday and speak with headteacher Abbie Thorrington about how the school has been progressing over the last few months.

As I’ve said before, Ipswich Academy is a standout success making a big difference in the lives of students here in Ipswich. I was glad to be able to hear about how we can support them in developing their vision for opening up educational opportunities to those who need them most.

Inspiring Suffolk

August 25, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education

Over the summer, lots of kids around Ipswich are attending holiday camps like Inspire Suffolk on Lindbergh Road. Inspire Suffolk’s Summer Holiday Programme has been running sport and creative activities for 250 children over the holiday for 3 years now. Today I joined in and practiced some goalkeeping in the football activity session, as well as getting involved with creating paper-plate art.

These activity sessions for 250 pupils aged 4-12 are funding by the Suffolk Holiday Activity and Food initiative, designed to ensure kids have access to activity and lunches. It’s great to see physical activity being encouraged during the holidays. We know how important it is for children to get active, and this holiday programme is a wonderful way to promote fitness and activity.

Thank you to Terry Baxter, the CEO of Inspire Suffolk, for showing me the work being done at Inspire Suffolk today.

Meeting with National Farmers’ Union

August 24, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education

Today I met Caroline from the NFU. Ipswich is the County Town for rural Suffolk, so we had lots to discuss from apprenticeships to the cost of fertiliser and reducing fly-tipping.

I was keen to emphasise the importance of agricultural apprenticeships. Skills, training and apprenticeships is something I am always trying to promote to ensure the best opportunities for Ipswich people. When it comes to agricultural apprenticeships, it seems that more certainty is required in the way they are run. Level 2 apprenticeships are currently available for a certain period of time, however there is nothing to replace them and this is creating some uncertainty. Many young people from Ipswich travel to rural areas of Suffolk to work in agriculture, and a number of Ipswich-based students take courses at Suffolk Rural college, which is linked to Suffolk New College, so this is an issue which affects both rural Suffolk and our County Town.

Another key issue we discussed was the increasing cost of fertiliser. Suffolk farms import fertiliser via Port of Ipswich, and fertiliser prices have shot up. This is impacting not only local farms growing British produce here in Suffolk, but also having an effect on the Port of Ipswich trade.

I had the chance to raise the issue of fly-tipping, which is prevalent around rural Suffolk. This is an issue which constituents have raised with me as something they have noticed when out and about across the county. I wanted to discuss this with Caroline and see what can be done to reduce the issue together.

Thank you to Caroline for an interesting and productive meeting.

Northgate Sport Centre Summer Camp

August 9, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education Opportunities for young people

This morning I visited the Northgate Sport Centre Summer Camp to hear more about the IBC Summer Holiday iCard activities for local Ipswich pupils. I met with the Sports and Leisure Service Manager at Ipswich Borough Council, Bella, who showed me around the camp. They have 50-60 users on a daily basis with the iCard Summer Holiday camp being offered for free to any eligible children between 5-16 years old who live between postcodes IP1-IP4.

This is a fun way for Ipswich pupils to fill their summer holidays with sporting activities such as football, gymnastics, basketball and trampolining. I was pleased to see that archery was also being offered with adjustments made for children with disabilities. Bella explained how they are working with charities to deliver sport activities, including some meant specially to support children with disabilities.

I continue to be incredibly supportive of any way to incorporate sports to all pupils, including those with special educational needs. This iCard programme incorporates both socialising with friends, with sporting activities and healthy exercise and whilst there it was clear to see how much pupils were enjoying the variety of activities.

Willow Park Montessori Nursery

August 1, 2022 0 Comments by Chris in Education

I was contacted by constituents affected by the closure of Willow Park Montessori Nursery, which will be shutting its doors at the beginning of September due to staff recruitment issues and funding. Having written to the Minister for Children and Families about these challenges, I wanted to visit the nursery personally.

Willow Park Montessori Nursery has been providing vital care and education to their children, and it is critical that the funding is made available to the early years sector. The nursery has 22 members of staff, however struggled to recruit. I have also visited other early years providers recently who have raised the same issue.

Early years teaching is an incredibly valuable career and one which contributes greatly to society. To be able to recruit the right talent for these roles, we not only need to appreciate the real value of early years teaching and staff, but also reflect this in salaries too. Understandably if other jobs are paid more highly, early years staff are likely to leave. We need to make sure sufficient early years funding is available for nurseries to give their staff the right wages and ensure they can recruit the best from their field. It is important to make early years careers attractive, and salaries need to be higher for jobs of such significant societal value. Early years staff are fundamental to shaping the minds of young people, and evidently there is increasing awareness and recognition of the importance of earlier years but funding for things like salaries needs to follow.

No one goes into working in early years to make money. They go into it due to their passion for young people. However the salaries shouldn’t be so low they make careers in early years prohibitive.

Successful nurseries like this one should be given the funding and the tools required to give children the best opportunities possible. It is a real shame to see the loss of this nursery and early years staff moving out of the field. The nursery has been here for 20 years, and in that time has had a very positive impact on hundreds of children.

I think the Education Committee should be doing a review of the Early Years sector and this is something I will suggest in September.

Category: Education