Education leader is positive about school standards in Havant

The cabinet member for education at the county council, Cllr Peter Edgar, has given a boost to local schools at a meeting of Alan Mak’s Havant Educational Leaders’ Forum (HELF).

The termly meeting, convened by the Havant Conservative MP, gave Cllr Edgar an opportunity to discuss the goals and challenges facing education in the area with headteachers from local secondary schools.

Cllr Edgar also praised the work Mr Mak was doing at Westminster lobbying for more funding for Havant and Hampshire schools.

Hampshire is in the bottom 20 councils by school funding from central government, a position Mr Mak hopes to change as the government launches its school-funding consultation.

Cllr Edgar said: ‘The meeting enabled me to explain how the county council sees its future role as one of the current leading education authorities in the country, and how we can sustain the excellent partnership working between the county council, Havant schools and the government.’

The meeting came shortly after a pleasing set of Ofsted reports for a number of nearby schools.

In January, Havant College was given a ‘good’ rating by inspectors – especially in terms of teaching and learning.

This mark has also recently achieved by Purbrook Park, Havant Academy and Crookhorn College.

Mr Mak said: ‘I was delighted to welcome Peter Edgar to my termly headteachers’ meeting, where we share ideas to help local schools continue to raise standards. Having Peter’s backing for our work is a big boost, and reflects the good working relationship between local schools and our education authority.’

‘In Westminster I have campaigned for more funding for local schools from day one, and I welcome the government’s consultation in fairer school funding.

‘Hampshire is historically underfunded and I am determined to get a better deal for local schools. Peter has clearly recognised the great results being achieved by Havant schools already, and we’re delighted to have his backing.’