Supporting Education

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Growing up locally and attending Plymouth High School for Girls, Rebecca cares deeply about improving life chances for young people in South West Devon.

Rebecca is rapidly building close relationships with each of the 37 schools in her constituency. She speaks at school assemblies, hosts school classes in Parliament and runs a popular work experience programme to share her work as a constituency MP and help open doors for young people. Rebecca also runs an annual Christmas card competition, inviting primary schoolchildren to submit their designs.

Rebecca is one of the most active new MPs in Parliament and regularly asks Ministers questions and delivers speeches on education policy. Listening to constituents' concerns about the Government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the South West Devon MP has raised pressing questions about the axing of Academies (a status held by all secondary schools in the constituency), excessive red tape for home educators, and supported lodgings for care leavers.

Understanding the need to create a skilled local workforce, Rebecca is a strong supporter of apprenticeships. She has met with and continues to lobby the Defence Secretary for skills investment to support Devonport Dockyard's £1bn submarine maintenance role.

View recent articles on Rebecca's work to support education in South West Devon below.

News

Rebecca opens debate competition at Devonport High School for Girls

The future of debating is looking bright! Just before the summer holidays, I had a lovely afternoon at Devonport High School for Girls, where I was invited to open the Debate Society’s competition. The students tackled the motion: “This House Would Mandate That Artificial Intelligence Deve

Rebecca supports local Summer Reading Challenge

Ready to Read to the Beat?I’ve always loved a good read, so it was lovely to pop into Plympton Library recently and pick out a new book for the summer.Whilst I was there, it was great to hear more about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Final day of Rebecca's summer school

That’s a wrap on my Summer School!We finished my summer school with the biggest challenge yet – the mock political party pitch.The groups analysed data, looked at the realities of Government finances, debated priorities, and then created their own political parties, complete with policies and campai

Rebecca hosts day 2 of summer school

Summer School: Day 2Another brilliant day with so many enthusiastic young people at my summer school.This morning started at Plympton Library, where the group took part in a session looking at the role social media plays in politics.

Rebecca holds her first summer school

A great start to my Summer School this morning!It was fantastic to welcome everyone along for the first day and see so much enthusiasm from the group.Over the next few days, they’ll be getting a real insight into what goes into working in politics: from debating current issues and learning how campa

Rebecca visits Hele's School

A great morning at Hele’s SchoolIt was great to kick off the summer recess with a visit to Hele's School this morning.Lovely to be welcomed by Head Boy Elliott and Head Girl Connie before speaking to Year 12 students as they prepare to begin their final year of A-levels.

Rebecca visits Boringdon's new preschool

It was a pleasure to catch up with Boringdon Primary School Headteacher Matt Stace on Friday to visit the new nursery, Bright Beginnings.I learned about these exciting plans during my visit to the school last year and it is amazing to see how far the nursery has come since then.

Rebecca visits Churchwood Forest School

During my visit to Churchwood Valley Holiday Park last week I also meet with the team from the Churchwood Forest School CIC. It was great to catch up with Emma, the Forest School Leader, and Ben, who is leading the new alternative provision which officially opened just last week!

Rebecca celebrates Sophia during National Apprenticeship Week

Earlier this week, I was delighted to meet my constituent, Sophia during National Apprenticeship Week at the ADS Apprenticeships Reception in Parliament.Sophia works for Collins Aerospace and is the first female engineering apprentice at the company, a truly fantastic achievement.

Rebecca presses the Government on learning through play

I recently spoke in Parliament to represent the 389 South West Devon residents who signed a petition on learning through play in key stage one education.This petition was about how young children learn best and it is not about lowering academic standards.