Damien Moore MP welcomes extra investment for Greenbank High School to improve facilities

THE Southport MP Damien Moore has today welcomed the announcement that Greenbank High School has been selected as one of the latest 239 Schools that will be rebuilt or substantially refurbished as part of the 4th round of the Conservative Government’s School Rebuilding Programme, which has invested over £13 billion to maintain and improve schools since 2015.

The programme will provide the funding to transform 500 Schools across England, delivering on the Government’s commitment to level up opportunity around the country by giving every child access to the best classrooms, wherever they go to School.

The School Rebuilding Programme is backed by £1.8 billion of Government funding this financial year, helping to rebuild and refurbish:- Primary, Secondary, and Specialist Schools, in addition to 6th Form Colleges around England.

The funding for Greenbank High School will help to improve learning environments for pupils, subject to a further assessment to determine the sequencing of projects nationwide, and a detailed feasibility study at the outset of the project, at Greenbank. The majority of the projects are set to be completed in 3 to 5 years.

Each school in the programme has been selected based on the condition of its buildings, making sure the greatest improvements are delivered for Schools that need them the most and maximising children’s chances to gain the skills and knowledge they need. All new buildings will be more energy efficient for future winter resilience, helping Schools keep bills down and meeting the Government’s net zero commitments.

As well as delivering world class learning environments for pupils, the School Rebuilding Programme will also create opportunities, jobs, and apprenticeships; from the construction industry to suppliers, businesses will be offering training as part of their involvement in the projects.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- “The quality of learning environments in Schools can have a significant impact on a student’s learning and I have been working closely with the Conservative Government to secure investment in our Schools to offer children the best opportunity to succeed. That is why I welcome the news that Greenbank High School will benefit from the latest round of the School Rebuilding Programme, backed by £1.8 billion in 2022 to 2034 to rebuild and refurbish 239 more Schools across the country. It is right that our local children get the best education possible, and I know that a new and improved physical environment plays a crucial role in achieving this. This investment will improve the experience of students in Greenbank, further supporting the teachers in helping their pupils to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential, while also aiming to support local jobs in the construction and maintenance of these new facilities. I have written to the School to congratulate them on this fantastic news, and I look forward to seeing the new facilities when they are up and running.”
 

The City of Liverpool College brings festive cheer to City's most vulnerable

THIS week, more than 1 hundred of the City's homeless people were welcomed to The City of Liverpool College for its annual 'Open House' event.

Visitors were treated to a 3 course Christmas dinner, free haircuts, donated clothes and advice and guidance from external partners, supported by the staff, student volunteers, and Students' Union.

The event was organised by the College's Student Engagement Team in partnership with The Whitechapel Centre and Crisis, along with students and volunteers, in response to the rising homeless population in Liverpool, after Shelter reported that there are over 200 people either rough sleeping or in temporary housing in the City Centre alone.

Students from across the College were involved, from Air Cabin crew students serving meals, to professional cookery students leading the catering, beauty therapy students providing treatments and barbering students offering free haircuts.

Guests were also presented with donations from students, staff and volunteers, and were each presented with a hat, gloves and thermals to keep them warm during the winter months, as well as being offered hot showers, fresh underwear and toiletries.

Elaine Bowker, Principal of The City of Liverpool College, said:- "For many people, Christmas can be an incredibly difficult, lonely time. We know how powerful acts of kindness can be, which is why we always encourage our students to volunteer and take part in activities such as this to support others, particularly at this time of year. We hope that our 'Open House' event goes some way to giving people joy during the festive season. We're so grateful to all of the students and volunteers who gave up their time to give back to the local community and look forward to opening our doors again in the future."

Tony Cobain, Chair of The City of Liverpool College, said:- "Our society should not need events like this. Children should not have to go without a hot meal, heat or eat should not ever have to be a choice, families should not need to live in single room hostels and nobody should need to sleep rough. As individuals or as organisations we can't fix everything, but if we can make people happy for a couple of hours, give them a hot meal and show them that there are people who care then it's a start. The City of Liverpool College is a huge part of our community and is always looking for ways that it can contribute and give back. The impact that events such as these have on those who need support, particularly at this time of year, cannot be underestimated."