Improving Education

Stephen visits school for Young Parliament meeting.

In my time as MP, I visited every single school in the constituency, wrote to every headteacher, toured hundreds of pupils around the Houses of Parliament, and worked with Government to secure new investment in our schools.

I am proud that, during my time as MP, 17 schools went up in their Ofsted ratings. This means that 88% of schools in SBET are now rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding'. This is wonderful news.

I also delivered solid change by securing the entry of 5 local schools onto the national School Rebuilding Programme after RAAC was identified in buildings. Arthur Bugler Primary School in Stanford-le-Hope, Ortu Corringham Primary School, East Tilbury Primary School, Eversley Primary School in Basildon, and St Clere’s School in Stanford-le-Hope will all receive new investment for major rebuilding and refurbishment projects.

I am focussed on ensuring that youngsters can dream big and pursue fantastic careers after they've finished school.

Therefore, during my time as MP, I was a big proponent of apprenticeships and the huge positives of earning whilst learning. I met constituents who were apprentices for the Royal Opera House, Leonardo Aerospace, Case New Holland Tractors, and Mitchell & Butlers Pubs. The opportunities are endless and I am pleased to see that there have been consistently 650 new apprentices in South Basildon and East Thurrock every year since 2019.

University isn't the only route and I am pleased to have aided the expansion of T-Levels and apprenticeships in the constituency. A central part of this work has been the expansion of South Essex College and, last year, I was delighted to open South Essex College's new Institute of Technology. This will increase the career opportunities for youngsters, as well as those looking to re-skill.

During my time in Parliament, I also worked to promote the benefits of science and engineering - subjects which will be increasingly useful in the future. Therefore, I was really glad to recently have the opportunity to invite aspiring engineers from Basildon Upper Academy to Parliament so that they could attend the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Engineering with me. They heard from world-class academics from Cambridge. This is what it's all about - unlocking opportunities and broadening horizons. 

News

Stephen Metcalfe MP praises teachers on Thank a Teacher Day

Stephen Metcalfe MP has written today to thank school teachers and support staff across South Basildon and East Thurrock for their hard work and understanding during this outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) ahead of a phased return of year groups from 1 June.

Stephen Metcalfe MP Visits East Tilbury’s NEW Beta Heritage Centre

Local MP, Stephen Metcalfe, joined local residents to celebrate the opening of the new Bata Heritage Centre and take a walking tour of the area to hear how important the Bata factory was to the local area. The Bata Shoe Company played an important role in the development of East Tilbury from their

Stephen Metcalfe MP Hails Stopped Library Closures

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, welcomes that no libraries in Essex will close in the next five years. The decision follows ‘overwhelming’ public outcry with over 21,000 responses.

Stephen Metcalfe MP asks Organisations to become Dementia Friendly

Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has teamed up with Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) to raise awareness and increase understanding for people living with Dementia and has called on organisations in Thurrock and Basildon to become ‘Dementia Friendly’.