Education

rory_youngcumbriaThe biggest challenges facing our schools in Penrith and The Border are those of distance and sparsity. We have the country’s smallest secondary school and its smallest sixth form college. The threat of closure is ever present for many of Cumbria’s smallest and most rural primary and secondary schools. We must do all we can to protect our schools: they form the life and heart of every village.

My colleagues and I have lobbied the Education Minister strongly to ensure the National School Funding formula recognises the unique needs of our rural schools, and provides them with additional financial support. I have worked closely with head-teachers and Cumbria County Council to establish a fair allocation of resources in Cumbria, favouring our smaller schools.

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RORY CONTINUES CAMPAIGN FOR CUMBRIAN OUTDOOR INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Rory met with Chief Executive of the Institute for Outdoor Learning , Andy Robinson, in Penrith, as he continues in his campaign to make Cumbria a world-leader in outdoor pursuits and education. Rory has recently played an integral role in efforts to setup a satellite centre for the National Mountain Centre in local college, Newton […]

RORY WORKS WITH NEWTON RIGG TO DEVELOP SATELLITE NATIONAL OUTDOOR CENTRE

Rory has met with representatives from Plas Y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, to discuss the viability and potential for setting up a satellite centre at Newton Rigg college that would aim to meet local demand for outdoor education within the North of the England. Widely recognised as a centre of excellence within the industry of […]

Rory welcomes more money for primary school sport

An extra £2,328,300 will go to primary schools across Cumbria to transform school sport, improve coaching for the youngest pupils and inspire the Olympic and Paralympic stars of the future. London 2012 gave Britain a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire a nation to enjoy sport and the Government wants to embed that into […]

Rory Launches Young Person’s Surgery at Appleby Grammar School Play

Rory launched his young person’s surgery – a drop-in session for constituents under 18 – at Appleby grammar school this weekend, before attending the school production of the Wizard of Oz, and visiting the food fair in aid of the school’s trip to South Africa. Approximately 100 students and staff were involved in this year’s […]

rory meets with local representatives to discuss alston’s future

Rory braved the bad weather to visit Alston – recently crowned the UK’s first ever Social Enterprise Town – to discuss with local community representatives and officials from the Department of Communities and Local Government how the area can continue to build on the success of recent community-led projects. The local MP and DCLG officials […]

rory advocates greater outdoors education in penrith and the borders

Rory on Saturday attended the launch event at Penrith’s Go Outdoors centre for a new adventure learning organisation which will help young people complete their Duke of Edinburgh awards. ACActive, in conjunction with Cumbria Youth Alliance, has set up an open award centre which aims to ensure that any young person who would like the opportunity […]

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rory discusses afghanistan and travel with ullswater and QEGS students

Rory was invited to Ullswater Community College in Penrith on Friday, where he gave a slide show on his Asian travels, and took questions from 150 students from both Ullswater and neighbouring Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. Rory introduced the history, the culture, and the religion of the Central Asian region. He showed slides on family […]