Education - Catherine West MP

Catherine West MP calls on Education Secretary to reassess plan to scrap the vast majority of BTEC qualifications

Catherine West MP is one of 118 MPs and peers that have written to the recently-appointed Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi urging him to make an “early reassessment” of the Department for Education’s plan to remove funding for the vast majority of applied general qualifications such as BTECs. The letter was sent to support the…

Watch: Catherine’s 2021 Politics Summer School

My third Politics Summer School for 16-19 years old living or studying in Hornsey & Wood Green took place in July. It was a fantastic week, even with the COVID restrictions meaning it was held virtually for the first time. Below you can watch some of the excellent talks from…

10 by 10: opening opportunities for all our children

We only get one childhood, yet ten years of Tory Governments have seen too many children denied experiences that set them up for learning and for life. Extra-curricular activities are in freefall, especially for kids from the poorest backgrounds, and I’ve seen that first hand as Chair of the All-Party…

Ventilation in schools

With Covid cases rising and changes to schools due to take place from September, it is vital that the government looks at ventilation to keep Haringey’s school children and staff safe. Following my Parliamentary intervention, where I raised the matter with the Health Secretary, I’ve now written this letter to…

Catherine West slams child poverty rates

Catherine West, Labour’s MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, has used a recent Parliamentary debate to highlight the damning levels of child poverty, particularly in her area of Haringey. In the debate, secured just before the Parliamentary recess, Ms West spoke at length about the inequalities she believes are rampant…

My 2021 Politics Summer School

Applications have now closed for my third Politics Summer School for students aged 16 to 19 who either live or attend school in Hornsey and Wood Green. Thank you to everyone who applied. You will be notified if your application has been successful by Friday 18 June. The Summer School…

STEM Subjects: Science & Discovery Centres

I was pleased to have the opportunity to take part in a Westminster Hall debate this week about STEM subjects and our crucial science and discovery centres. Here is a copy of my speech: “It is a pleasure to contribute to this debate under your chairmanship. I congratulate the…

Watch my speech: a budget that lets down our NHS & key worker heroes

Watch my speech in Wednesday’s Budget debate If only Rishi were as quick to protect the vulnerable, properly pay our key workers and support our businesses as he is to fund his own self-promotion. There must be no return to Tory austerity as we come out of this crisis. It…

My letter to the Education Secretary on the reopening of Haringey Schools

I was in Parliament today for the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s statement on school closures following the Christmas break. During his statement he wasn’t able to list any of the areas where schools would remain close, but shortly after his Department snuck out a list which includes our neighbouring boroughs…

Well-funded schools

In Hornsey and Wood Green schools will have lost £11.8m by 2020 compared with 2015. That’s £535 less for every pupil. We need fair funding for schools. Instead ten years of Tory cuts have meant fewer teachers, larger class sizes and underfunded support for those with special educational needs and disabilities. (SEND). Further education has…