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Schools Minister and local MP bring together task force to develop Carterton Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Schools Minister and local MP bring together task force to develop Carterton Community College

Local MP David Cameron called a meeting in Westminster on Wednesday, 17th March 2010 to discuss the development of Carterton Community College. Those present were the Minister for Schools and Learners, Vernon Coaker MP, representatives from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and headteacher Niall McWilliams.

Carterton Community College's ability to care for and support their students has been recently recognised by both the DCSF as well as Ofsted. With the expansion of Brize Norton bringing new challenges, all agencies are committed to providing students at the college with a world class education.   Changes at Brize Norton have recently contributed a fall in pupil numbers, but the expansion of the base is likely to mean that the school will grow again to its full capacity.   The meeting agreed that a new task force, consisting of the school leadership, county council, RAF Brize Norton, MOD and DCSF should be established to make sure the future is properly planned for.

David Cameron said:  “Carterton Community College is a top-rate secondary school that serves the local community and RAF Brize Norton, England’s soon-to-be premier air base.

“Thanks to the dedication of staff led by Niall McWilliams, it provides excellent support for all students and has been recognised for its extremely high level of care towards service children, particularly given the large number of parents currently on active service overseas.

At this meeting, the Minister, the MoD, Oxfordshire County Council and I agreed on a joint approach to maximise the development and prosperity of this school.”

Vernon Coaker MP, Minister for Schools and Learners, said, “Carterton Community College does a great job in serving its young people, so it’s good news that this new task force will help ensure that they can continue to provide world class education and support to the children of our service men and women. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that we work together to guarantee its sustainability so that it is ready to serve the families that will move to the area over the next few years, as part of the expansion of RAF Brize Norton.

"And as we set out in our Consultation on the future distribution of school funding, the Government is proposing a new mechanism that would enable schools like Carterton, which serve armed services establishments and have fluctuating pupil numbers, to receive additional funds”

Cllr Michael Waine, Lead Member for School Improvement, Oxfordshire County Council, said:   “This is an exciting time for the college, parents, students and the wider town and community of Carterton, which will all benefit from the public commitment now announced.”

Headteacher Niall McWilliams said:   “We are genuinely proud of the recent developments and improvements at Carterton Community College (highlighted by our significant increase in GCSE results) and appreciative of the support of Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP and Minister for Schools and Learners, Vernon Coaker MP.”

ENDS

Working for West Oxfordshire