On the day that the Minister for Business was in Parliament unveiling the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, I received a fantastic video from Dawley C of E Primary. The video, which they had made for the Prime Minister, showed the amazing design and technology skills that pupils were learning.
I was so impressed that I wanted to go and see the work that Dawley C of E primary was doing first hand. So, last week when Parliament was not sitting, I paid a visit.
I found an outwardly traditional village school that reminded me of my own primary. But I also found something completely new. Throughout the school Computer Aided Design and 3D Technology was being used to by children of all ages. This school is giving children the skills to thrive in the Britain of tomorrow.
The Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy is ambitious for business and ambitious for Britain. It is about investing for the future to deliver jobs and economic growth to every community. It is about developing skills to ensure everyone can thrive in the modern economy, building a new system of technical education and boosting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills.
Dawley C of E Primary is a model for others to follow.
I also had the opportunity to visit Old Park Primary in Mallinslee. In the last few years, pupils from the school have come to spend the day with me in my Telford office. They often tell me about the school’s incredible ‘In Harmony’ music project and I had always wanted to see the project in action.
Every pupil plays an instrument and plays in the school orchestra. I could see from spending one afternoon with the children that they were learning much more than how to play an instrument: concentration, discipline, team skills, social skills, listening skills, perseverance and all while developing a sense of pride in their amazing achievement.
Both these schools offer Telford children unique opportunities to learn core life skills. The visits were uplifting and it was a delight to see the enthusiasm and joy that the children get from the process.
These schools are playing their part in Telford’s future, with ambition for every one of their students to develop their full potential, and a determination to equip the children with skills needed to thrive in the modern economy. Well done Telford.