The 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.
Rory visited Penruddock Primary School to discuss climate change and the environment with its pupils. Penruddock Primary School’s Year 5/6 Class had been working on the theme of ‘Our Precious Planet’ and, as part of this, had studied what Cumbrians can do to protect the environment and reduce their carbon footprints. They agreed that this involved reducing […]
Rory visited Ullswater Community College to meet with students taking part in the latest ‘Climate Strike’. These strikes were inspired by Greta Thunberg, a Swedish schoolchild who spent twenty days protesting outside the Swedish Parliament, calling for action on climate change. Inspired by her example, schoolchildren across the world have gone on strike in sympathy […]
Rory visited Greystoke Primary School to speak to the children about his work as their MP. Like many schools across the country, Greystoke Primary School celebrated Parliament Week from 12-18 November 2018, with a series of talks, lessons and trips. The children visited their local polling station, studied the history of Parliament and learnt about the constitution. […]
Rory gave an animated talk on the history of Hadrian’s Wall to children at Bewcastle Primary School. As a keen walker with a passion for Hadrian’s Wall and its history, Mr Stewart was delighted to visit the primary school to talk to year five and six students. Throughout the academic year the students are walking Hadrian’s […]
“If all else goes wrong, get a dog,” – that was Rory’s advice to students as he gave the key note speech at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School’s prize giving. Rory was invited to speak to students, parents and teachers about ‘resilience’ as the school celebrated a year of achievements. He said that he didn’t have […]
Rory visited Langwathby School’s ‘Art Mart’ weekend to support the annual event, in which the School is transformed into an Art Gallery. Art Mart brings artists from all over Cumbria to showcase their work alongside that of the children from the School. The event, which is in its 23rd year, displays over 320 paintings and works […]
Rory recently visited the Blencathra Field Studies Council for an update on its work and developments. The centre is part of the Field Studies Council (FSC) – an environmental education charity providing informative and enjoyable opportunities for people of all ages to discover, explore, and understand the environment. More than 100,000 students go on FSC […]
Rory visited Threlkeld School on Friday, meeting with years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Rory spoke to the children about the life of an MP in both his role as local MP and in Westminster. Rory met with the school children after receiving a letter and a personal invitation to visit the school from 9 […]
Rory has convened a meeting with representatives from Appleby Heritage Centre and Carlisle College to discuss the future of the centres’ apprenticeship programme. For many years Appleby Heritage Centre has been working in partnership with Carlisle College to provide apprenticeship opportunities to young people across the Eden Valley, but the centre’s future and its ability to delivery apprenticeship programmes was thrown into doubt following the merger of Carlisle College […]
Rory visited the Appleby Heritage Centre on Friday where he met with staff to discuss the future of the centres’ apprenticeship programme. For many years Appleby Heritage Centre has been working in partnership with Carlisle College to provide apprenticeship opportunities to young people across the Eden Valley, but following the merger of Carlisle College with Newcastle College in April 2017 the centre’s future and […]