Stephen Morgan MP congratulated local A-level students at City of Portsmouth College today for ‘overcoming huge obstacles’, despite disruption to their learning and a ‘failed’ government catch-up plan.
The Portsmouth MP was speaking to students, parents and staff at the city college, as results were collected, to learn more about the challenges they have faced over the last two years and what more can be done to improve education in Portsmouth.
It comes as research from the Sutton Trust has shown fewer than one in five 16 – 19 yr olds have taken part in ‘catch-up’ tutoring designed to support students who have faced disruption to their learning during the pandemic.
In the lead up to results day, tens of thousands of A-level pupils were also feared to miss out on their first-choice university after analysis reported in The Guardian found a sharp fall in top grades compared with last year.
To overcome the challenges students have faced to their learning over the last two years, Labour has said its Children’s Recovery Plan would have levelled the playing field for students taking exams this summer, delivering:
- Small group tutoring for all who need it
- Breakfast clubs and afterschool activities for every child
- Quality mental health support delivered in every school
- Continued professional development for teachers to improve teaching and learning
- Targeted extra investment from early years to further education to support young people at risk of falling behind
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South and Shadow Schools Minister, Stephen Morgan MP, commented:
“It’s been great to congratulate Portsmouth students receiving results today, who have come through unprecedented disruption, worked hard and should rightly be proud of their results, especially in my former college. I know our city will be proud of the many achievements announced today.
“Young people have done this in spite of a government that failed them at every turn. Ministers have failed to learn the lessons of last year and get a proper recovery plan in place to level the playing field for all. The promised tutoring revolution has reached fewer than one in five of these students as the Conservatives risk opening the door to unequal results yet again.
“Yet the Tories are too distracted warring amongst themselves, ignoring Labour’s calls for a ‘next step guarantee’ and for Ministers to work with colleges, universities and employers to secure Portsmouth’s students next steps after the chaos of the last two years.”
On Friday the city MP and Shadow Minister will be meeting with the University of Portsmouth to understand what support is available for students moving on to the city’s university or making choices about what to do next.
