Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie visits The Croft Primary School

The MP met with the headteacher Rebecca Gore and chair of governors Alastair Duncan at The Croft Primary School in Painswick recently.

Painting and decorating was undertaken by the school governors over the summer along with some asbestos removal paid for by Gloucestershire County Council to get ready for the new term.

The meeting was to discuss school funding and the MP was told about the school’s great SAT scores and met pupils.   

The need for schools to have up to date technology and to liaise with the children services at Gloucestershire County Council to ensure appropriate funding for children with additional needs was also discussed. 

Ms Baillie said:  “Many thanks to the headteacher and chair for inviting me to visit this fantastic school, meet staff and pupils and discuss important issues.  

"Myself and other MPs lobbied for more and protected education funding at the Spring Budget and we are looking to the Autumn Statement now so local information is crucial. 

“I am also delighted the school has done so well in the SATS tests and that it now has a new lick of paint and that GCC were swift to help with building repairs.

"Schools need to be modern and fit for purpose and this is an ongoing process of investment by the governors, parents, the county council and the government.

“I thank everyone for their hard work at the school.

"I will be contacting the council to take up some of the issues we discussed.”

Ms Gore said: “It was a pleasure to host Siobhan at The Croft Primary last Friday.

"She listened intently to the struggles we face as a school in the current climate. 

“On her tour of the school she engaged with both staff and pupils and was complimentary of our school environment. 

“We are particularly grateful that she took time out of her busy schedules to visit and furthermore she is personally investigating some of the questions we raised.

"We look forward to welcoming her back in the future.”