On Wednesday 1st March Jo Churchill MP, during Prime Minister’s Questions, praised the achievement of West Suffolk College in being awarded ‘Best Teaching and Learning Initiative’ at the TES (Teaching Every Child) Awards 2017 and called on Theresa May to join in welcoming the efforts of the college, in driving forward a skills based education.
During the session, Jo Churchill MP said:
“Would the Prime Minister join me in congratulating my West Suffolk College, all the staff and in particular the principal, Nikos Savvas who last week, at the TES awards, won the prestigious teaching and learning initiative [out of] the whole country.
By Combining maths, art, religion and science I am sure she will agree with me that this initiative drives forward inquisitive minds and grows future generations that we will need [and with] the skills that they need to succeed.”
Prime Minister Theresa May replied:
“I am very happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating West Suffolk College on being given that award for best teaching and learning initiative for its MARS initiative. The college has put in place a really interesting initiative, and I congratulate all its staff. This award is a sign of the dedication of the staff and students at West Suffolk College.
All colleges across the country should be aspiring to reach these standards, and she is absolutely right that we need to ensure that young people have not just a skillset but an inquiring mind that enables them, as they look forward to what may be different careers throughout their life, to embrace new skills and change.”
Speaking after the debate, Jo Churchill MP said:
“West Suffolk College is truly an exemplar in teaching and learning across colleges in the UK and it was absolutely right to highlight during Prime Minister’s Questions, the hard work of all the staff, students and especially Dr Nikos Savvas in making this happen.
Based in the heart of my constituency, the college is held in high esteem having forged valuable relationships with businesses and other educationalists, including the new University of Suffolk, to provide students with choice and skills-based education. For that reason, I have written to Robert Halfon MP, Minister of State for Apprenticeship and Skills to highlight, following his own recent visit, the accolades received by West Suffolk College.
Furthermore, the colleges close links with the local community as well as with, for instance, the new Sybil Andrews Academy, shows the potential to expand and develop its first rate teaching and learning programme to other schools, across Suffolk.”