Fulham and Chelsea are at the centre of the Conservative Government’s schools reform programme.
Since the last election in May 2010, Greg Hands has attended the opening of three new academies and free schools in the two boroughs: the Chelsea Academy, the Fulham Boys School and the West London Free School.
During the last five year, as MP for Chelsea and Fulham, Greg played a major role in securing the future of the Fulham Boys School, in particular, and serves as Co-Patron of the school. In March, Greg hosted Education Secretary Nicky Morgan on a visit to the Fulham Boys School to award the House Cup to pupils, now halfway through their first year at the school.
Back in summer 2014, local MP Greg Hands intervened in a dispute caused by the new Labour Council of Hammersmith and Fulham, in order to help safeguard a future site for the school. Greg met with Michael Gove (then Education Secretary) and Conservative Lord Nash, the Schools Minister, successfully urging them to reconsider the Department for Education’s decision. After securing a guarantee from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to help the school find a permanent home in the Borough, the school was able to open as planned last September.
Meanwhile, many of the area’s existing schools have also seen big improvements. The London Oratory and Lady Margaret School have continued to excel, whereas Fulham Cross School and Fulham College are also doing now much better. Local primaries have also done well, including one of the UK’s biggest improvements, seen at St Joseph’s RC Primary in Chelsea.
Greg Hands, Conservative Candidate for Chelsea and Fulham said “Conservatives believe in investing in our schools and improving education so every child has the opportunity to succeed. In 2010 education standards were slipping and our schools were failing to prepare young people for their next step in life.
“We have improved education standards so that children are learning more of the skills they need, giving them greater opportunities to pursue their ambitions – whether that’s going to university, taking a vocational course or starting work. The improvements in these local schools are examples of that policy working.
“Today a million more children are being taught in good or outstanding schools where expectations have been raised and discipline restored. I hope three new free schools will provide even more excellent school places for local children for years to come.
"Improving education and delivering the best schools and skills is a central part of our long-term economic plan. But we will only be able to make that vital investment in the next generation if we have a strong economy.”
Additionally, Parents across the country found out this week which primary school their child is going to in September. Almost nine in ten children went to their first choice primary school last year. Ensuring every child gets a good, local school place is one of our top priorities. The Conservative led Government have created 445,000 new school places across the country – fixing the problem we inherited from Labour, who cut funding for 200,000 school places during a baby boom. Locally, the Labour Council closed local schools in the 1990s and sold off the sites for property development.