Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Post-16 Education: Bolsover

07 March 2023 · 0 other contributors · 3,817 words

Opened by Mark Fletcher Con Bolsover

Responding minister: Robert Halfon

Education

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mark Fletcher raised concerns about post-16 education: bolsover in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the lack of post-16 education opportunities in Bolsover, with only 21% of people having degree-level or higher qualifications.
  • The constituency ranks as the most deprived area in Derbyshire, facing high rates of child poverty.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of post-16 education options, including T-levels, apprenticeships, and A-levels, and noted that four colleges within travelling distance of Bolsover will offer T-levels from September.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to support the Redhill Academy Trust's application for a sixth form in Bolsover to improve educational opportunities, reduce travel times and costs, and better prepare students for higher education or technical careers. This will help level up the area by providing the necessary skills for green technology jobs and closing the skills gap between advantaged and disadvantaged populations.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Mark Fletcher Con Bolsover

I am concerned about the lack of post-16 education opportunities in Bolsover. Currently, only 21% of people have a degree-level or higher qualification compared to the national average of 42.8%, and 9% hold no formal qualifications at all. The constituency is ranked as the most deprived area in Derbyshire with high rates of child poverty. Students at The Bolsover School face limited options for post-16 education within a reasonable distance, and many existing providers are over-subscribed or poorly rated.

Government Response

Robert Halfon

It is an honour to serve under you, Mr Davies. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover on securing this debate and championing education in his constituency. He spoke about the importance of post-16 education options, including T-levels, apprenticeships, and traditional A-level routes. The Government are committed to transforming post-16 education and training to ensure national productivity. Four colleges within travelling distance of Bolsover will provide T-levels from September 2023. There are £86 million in trust capacity funding for Derbyshire as an Education Investment Area (EIA) over the next three years, alongside the levelling-up premium offering tax-free payments to maths, physics, chemistry and computing teachers up to £3,000 per year. The minister acknowledged support for the new 16-to-19 free school in Bolsover and stated that all applications are being carefully considered against published criteria. He assured my hon. Friend that the case for a 16-to-19 free school will be heard loud and clear, with decisions expected to be announced later this year by the Secretary of State.

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