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

Record Funding for Staffordshire I am pleased to share that the Government has now confirmed that Staffordshire County Council is set to receive £14.97 million – the biggest ever single high needs capital allocation for our area. This represents a £4.26 million boost from last year and is part of a landmark £3 billion national investment into inclusive classrooms. This funding is a direct response to the need for more specialist places closer to home, and I am determined to e

On Wednesday I welcomed the Education Minister with responsibility for SEND, Georgia Gould OBE MP, to the Peter Pan Centre for Children with Special Needs. The Centre is an excellent model of best practice, supporting children through their early years right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The dedication and expertise of the staff is second to none, and it was important that the Minister saw first-hand the difference that high-quality early support can make. During the visit, t

I’ve called on Staffordshire County Council to reverse its decision to cut funding for a vital Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) outreach programme led by Merryfields School in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The County Council’s £40,000 cut ended Merryfields’ outreach work supporting children with SEND in mainstream schools across our community. This is a programme that made a real difference – helping teachers and pupils to get the support they need to thrive. Merryf

My 'Personally Speaking' column in The Sentinel today One of the best things about my job is the opportunity to visit schools across Newcastle-under-Lyme. When I do, one thing always stands out - the potential in every room. Each child I meet represents the future, carrying the hopes and dreams that reflect the very best of our community.   We owe it to the next generation to make a simple but powerful promise: that we will equip them with the tools they need to thrive. Our r