School-based Nurseries are coming to Southgate and Wood Green

/in , , , /by

Good news for parents in Southgate & Wood Green!

We have just secured investment to open a Best Start school-based nursery at Earlham Primary School and Risley Avenue Primary School, so local families can benefit from accessible, affordable, high-quality early years education.

The Government has already cut childcare costs in half and saved the average family £8,000 per child. This will deliver better life chances for children and better work chances for parents.

You can find out more at www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

Investment Supporting Global Education

/in , , , , , /by

Visit to Laurel Park School

/in , , , /by

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting Laurel Park School and meeting some wonderful students from the Sixth Form.

As well as having a discussion on my role, we talked about their studies and I received a great tour of the building. I always enjoy hearing from young people about their experiences and views on our constituency. Well done Laurel Park!

Teachers in Emergencies

/in , , , /by

To mark World Teachers Day 2025, it was a pleasure to chair a roundtable on Teachers in Emergencies organised by the National Education Union and the APPG on Global Education, with powerful voice from Palestine and Ukraine.

It was great to hear from Saed Erziqat from the General Union of Palestinian Teachers, along with Olga Chabaniuk and Kateryna Maliuta from the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine.

We must ensure the protection of teachers in conflict zones and continue to champion the vital role UK aid plays in global education.

You can read more about the APPG’s work here: Home – APPG

West Grove Primary School

/in , , , /by

It was wonderful to visit West Grove Primary School in Southgate this morning.

I received a tour of the primary school and met some fantastic pupils, and it is always a pleasure to talk to young people about their experience at school.

It was great to talk to the children about my work as an MP and how Parliament works, as well as the important stuff, our favourite food!

Music Hubs

/in , , /by

As the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Music Education, I attended a wonderful event today hosted by Anna Sabine MP highlighting the importance of music education and music hubs!

It was great to meet passionate young musicians from Southgate & Wood Green, the talented Jess Gillam, and the inspiring music teachers who make it all happen.

I am proud to be a music education champion!

Students from Gaza

/in , , , , /by

Please see below the letter to the Prime Minister that I have signed to call for safe evacuation routes for Gazan students with scholarships in the UK.

Gaza students letterDownload

Education Questions

/in , , /by

Today, I asked the Secretary of State for Education if the Government were going to extra efforts to improve teacher retention and recruitment at schools with a high proportion of disadvantaged students.

Listen to her response here.

Southgate Children’s Literature Festival

/in , , , /by

This weekend, it was wonderful to be at the Southgate Children’s Literature Festival at St Andrew’s Church and the Halo Theatre, and have the privilege of saying a few words.

It was great to meet so many children’s books authors and to see a buzz about the local area for such an important cause.

Well done to James Okoro and his team for organising such an amazing community event!

Mulberry Academy Woodside in Parliament

/in , , /by

It was wonderful to meet talented students from Mulberry Academy Woodside today in Parliament, as they take part in the final of the Solutions for the Planet Big Ideas Competition.

It was great to see the students representing Southgate and Wood Green on a national level and presenting their big idea, Ship Valley: transforming unused shipping containers in to portable, affordable homes.

Well done Mulberry Academy Woodside and good luck!