Tristram Hunt backs campaign for more school places

 Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt MP, today visited Cypress Primary School, South Norwood, to meet parents and teachers and listen to their concerns about local schools.  Alongside local Labour MP Steve Reed, Mr Hunt fielded questions from parents on many subjects including Labour’s plans to extend affordable childcare and tackle the desperate shortage of primary school places affecting the borough.  Head teacher Nicky Godetz showed Tristram round the school and invited him to take part in a phonics lesson.

 

Tristram Hunt MP said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Cypress Primary School this morning.  The parents I met were passionate about giving their children the best start in life, and that means tackling the shortage of school places in the borough and making sure every school is high performing.  We must make sure funding goes where the need for new places is greatest, and that includes Croydon.  People were very interested in Labour’s plans for more affordable childcare and a stronger focus on making children aware of the careers opportunities open to them.”

 

Speaking after the visit, Steve Reed MP commented: “We were delighted to welcome Tristram to Croydon North this morning.  He was shocked to learn how, under the Tories, Croydon has the biggest shortage of primary school places in the country and more students at underperforming secondary schools than anywhere else in London.  It’s simply staggering that Croydon’s Tory MPs are allowing this shortage to continue.  They claim there’s not enough money for Croydon but have backed plans to spend millions on new schools in areas where there’s no shortage of places at all.  The Tories have let Croydon’s children down badly, and I’m delighted Tristram has agreed to campaign with me for a fairer deal for Croydon.”