My Staffordshire Update
I have had a busy couple of weeks in Staffordshire and I’d like to take a moment to tell you all about what I’ve been doing.
From Kinver to Stone, I am always heartened by the fantastic community spirit in our region. That’s why I particularly enjoyed meeting the team behind Penkridge Junior FC to congratulate them on their efforts to expand the club’s reach. Sport is so vital for young people, whether that is in boosting their physical and mental health or simply by providing a sense of community, and it is great that the club are seeking to get more young people involved.
I was also delighted to attend Stafford College’s “ground-breaking” ceremony to mark the beginning of construction work on its new Institute of Technology. This new facility will see £22.5 million of investment into skills-based training in Staffordshire, which is essential in boosting employment and upskilling our workforce.
Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues where I can be of assistance. I can be reached by email at gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk, or you can phone my office on 01902 846 616.
Very best wishes,
Gavin
Celebrating New Facilities at Featherstone Academy
Sir Gavin Williamson visited local primary school Featherstone Academy, where he was invited to open their new Discovery Hub.
The Discovery Hub, an extension of the early years facility, is an outdoor space which hopes to encourage children’s natural curiosity. The play area includes cushioned flooring, a natural wooden shelter, equipment, and resources. The outdoor space has been designed for the students to explore the fun of learning. Students can play with equilibrium using weighing scales, or use the prop stage, which will encourage the vivid imaginations of school children. Sir Gavin was honoured to be asked to unveil the new hub during a ceremony which was attended by staff members, representatives from the parish council, school volunteers, parents, and students.
The Headteacher of Featherstone Academy, Adam Gatrad, said: “It was a pleasure to host Sir Gavin Williamson and members of the Parish Council at Featherstone Academy. We were able to showcase many recent changes and initiatives which will positively impact our children; particularly our new Discovery Hub. This brand new outdoor learning space was only possible through the dedication that my team has shown to constantly improve the experiences of our pupils. The school has had a raft of enhancements recently which have been financially supported by Greenheart Learning Partnership, which we are all very grateful for.”
Sir Gavin said: “It was a privilege to be asked to unveil the new Discovery Hub, which will no doubt have a positive impact on the development of young students. The facility has been set up to nurture the inquisitiveness that is naturally found in children and can develop into an appreciation for learning. The school is an asset to the community in Featherstone, and I’m pleased to support their endeavours for expanding their facilities.”
Supporting Skills-Based Learning in Staffordshire
Sir Gavin Williamson joined Stafford College at the building site of the new Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology in Stafford.
The facility, supported by Department for Education funding, will be complete by spring 2025 and ready to welcome learners from September 2025, with an expected college community of over 3,500 learners by academic year 2028/9.
Specialising in higher level technical programmes, the new employer led SoTSIoT brings together the training offer of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group in collaboration with Keele University, Burton and South Derbyshire College and Axia Solutions, with curriculum influenced by key employer partners including; Dell, Hitachi, MOOG, Siemens and St Modwen Logistics.
The SoTSIoT will specialise in delivering qualifications in demand sectors such as modern methods of construction, advanced engineering, high value manufacturing, digital and health/life sciences.
Sir Gavin joined MP for Stafford, Theo Clarke, alongside representatives from the Department for Education and SoTSIoT partner organisations. Managing Director of the Institute of Technology, Georgina Barnard, dug into the soil to commemorate the commencement of works on the site.
Georgina Barnard, said: "Today’s ceremony marks an exciting construction milestone and I’m delighted that work is now underway on our brand new £22.5M Institute of Technology building. We are proud to bring this exciting new facility to the heart of Stafford and excited to see the significant impact it will have on the entire Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire region.
The SoTSIoT is committed to developing accessible routes into higher technical education, and the new hub building will provide learners with an inspirational learning environment, the latest industry standard equipment and an agile, responsive course offer designed in collaboration with our employer partners to deliver the higher technical skills that the region needs.”
Sir Gavin said: “The Ground Breaking Event for the new Institute of Technology represents an exciting future for our educational institutions in Staffordshire. The national skills gap limits the capabilities of British industries, and we have so many brilliant sectors that could expand with better recruitment. I’ve always encouraged a focus on skills-based qualifications rather than purely academic pursuits, as they are just as rewarding and attractive to employers. I’m proud that the technology institute will be built right here in Staffordshire.”
Backing Community Football
Sir Gavin Williamson visited the grounds of Penkridge Junior Football Club to help arrange for improvements to their facilities.
Sir Gavin met with the club’s chairman Norman Mence, who explained that the local football club, which was established in 1985, needed to expand their grounds. Currently the club borrows its practice fields from local schools, however, the club has started to explore more suitable options as it is becoming increasingly difficult to use school facilities where schools are increasing the prices of leasing their pitches.
Sir Gavin gave suggestions of actions that could be taken, offering a helping hand with sourcing more funding and securing alternative grounds. He has arranged to meet with the District Council to identify any suitable land.
Norman Mence said: “Penkridge Juniors would like to express their gratitude to Sir Gavin Williamson MP making time to listen to the Clubs grassroots challenges and future needs in Penkridge. The Club is growing yearly from 19 boys and girls teams, to 22/23 teams next season and up to 350 children of all abilities playing the game. The Club is trying to secure land of up to 15 acres for lease or purchase in the local Community, as grass facilities locally are eroding for football use. The Club shared its vision and strategy of the work to date with Sir Gavin, who offered his influence in supporting the Clubs ambitions.”
Sir Gavin said: “Penkridge Junior Football Club is a wonderful asset to the community, providing a routine of exercise and a social activity that supports the lives of hundreds of children. I’m keen to help the club as it sets out on a period of expansion and will do what I can to find a new base that even more children can enjoy. The importance of physical exercise in earlier life is detrimental to levels of engagement with physical health as one grows older, so community sport projects like these have incredible value.”