It is clear for all to see that our young people have the talent and determination needed to build the industries that will power our future right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme – what has been missing is a government that matched that ambition. With the announcement that Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been named a national Technical Excellence College (TEC) , that backing is finally here. Being selected as one of just four hubs specialising in advanced manufa

Following the news of our new "Best Start" Family Hub in Knutton, I am delighted to share another major win for the next generation here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been allocated over £2.7 million as part of the new FE College Condition Allocations. We should all be incredibly proud of our local college. As an "Outstanding" institution, it is already a thriving hub of learning, but for too long, the further education sector acro

My Personally Speaking column in The Sentinel (9 April 2026) I hope you had a good and peace­ful Easter break with your friends, fam­ily, and loved ones, and took the oppor­tun­ity to rest and reflect before the busy spring period begins. As we return to our routines this week, April marks a sig­ni­fic­ant turn­ing point for our com­munity. We are see­ing the res­ults of our efforts to invest in the next gen­er­a­tion, from their very first days through to the skills they nee