Congratulations to everyone who received their A level and BTEC results last week. We have seen some excellent results from all of the schools in the District, which reflects the hard work of the students and their teachers, as well as the support they will have received from their friends and family. The Folkestone School for Girls and the Harvey Grammar schools achieved outstanding results again, but it is also excellent that students from the local Academy schools earned the grades they needed to take their place at some of the country’s leading Universities. Congratulations as well to students at Pent Valley School for achieving a 100% pass rate for their level three BTEC courses.
Once again more people than ever before will take a place at University this autumn, including the record numbers of students from poorer backgrounds. In addition to this we have seen a rapid increase in the number of young people starting apprenticeship courses. In this decade the government will double the investment in apprenticeships to deliver its target of creating three million apprenticeships by 2020.
The opportunities available to young people through education are better than they have ever been, and over the last decade we have seen substantial change and investment in local schools. The grammar schools continue to work hard to maintain and exceed their high standards. Schools like Brockhill Park seem, year on year, to enhance both the level of their results and the breadth of the achievements of the students. There is no doubt as well that the Folkestone Academy and Marsh Academy are much better schools than those that they replaced, delivering better opportunities and results for their students. The takeover of the former K College campus in Folkestone by East Kent College, coupled with financial support from the government, also means that further and higher education in the town are more secure than it has been for many years.
Whilst the closure of a school like Pent Valley is never a decision that can be taken lightly, it gives us an opportunity, as has happened elsewhere, to create something in its place that will soon be seen to be a big step forward in both quality and results. I am determined that the successor school to Pent Valley, which will be open in September 2018, should deliver this.
As we reflect on the outstanding success of the Great Britain team at the Olympic games in Rio, I would also like to send my congratulations for another great local sporting success. On 4th September, Sibton Park cricket club from Lyminge, will play Sessay from Yorkshire, at Lord’s, in the final of the National Village club competition. Whatever the result, it is an amazing achievement and I would like to send my congratulations to everyone at the club, and to wish them well for the big day.