State Of The Nation : MP says aspiration levels need to rise
The MP for Newark, Mr Robert Jenrick, recognised that social mobility and levels of aspiration were not high enough in Newark.
“We need to ensure our secondary schools are high performing and tackling low achievement and low aspirations,” he said.
“The headteachers at the Magnus and Newark academies are both very much aware of these issues and are trying to increase aspirations for young people, with added intervention from The Suthers School which, in time, will help.
“To match improved levels of secondary education, there is a need for better technical education and skills training in Newark.
“There are good apprenticeships available and the number of apprenticeships has doubled in ten years, but more effort needs to go into building these skills because that is the way you get employment to rise.”
Improving the connectivity of Newark
Mr Jenrick said while unemployment was very low in the district, the report recognised there were fewer people than average in professional and highly-skilled jobs.
“Another priority is improving the connectivity of Newark and that means winning investment in roads, railway links from east to west, and in broadband for some of the more cut-off villages so people feel they are in a well-connected community,” he said.
“Newark is a well-connected place but there is a mindset that needs to be changed so people feel they can grow up here and find good jobs here.”
Mr Jenrick said he would be seeking a meeting with the Education Secretary, Justine Greening, to discuss the issue.
The MP for Newark, Mr Robert Jenrick, said he suspected the low social mobility rating for the district was stilted by the former coalfield communities of Ollerton, Edwinstowe and Clipstone.
He said they contrasted with high levels of social mobility elsewhere in his constituency, for example Rushcliffe.
The Advertiser was unable to contact the MP for Sherwood, Mr Mark Spencer, who represents Ollerton, Edwinstowe and Clipstone, on Wednesday for comment.
