Since being elected in 2019, local MP, Mark Fletcher’s primary campaign has been for post-16 education in the Bolsover Constituency. He is proud to welcome the Government’s announcement that The Redhill Academy Trust’s Sixth Form application in Bolsover has been accepted – meaning post-16 education is returning to Bolsover.
The site will be located in Bolsover and be easily accessible for children living in villages across the north of the constituency, including the neighbouring towns of Shirebrook and Clowne.
The Bolsover MP has campaigned for over 3½ years for this sixth form, including speaking over ten times in Parliament on this issue, including at Prime Ministers Questions, and has held numerous meetings with Ministers in the Department for Education.
He launched a local petition, which was signed by hundreds of residents, and presented a report on travel times and costs to neighbouring post-16 providers to the Secretary of State for Education in the summer of 2022.
In March this year, Mark also hosted a Westminster Hall debate, with Robert Halfon MP, Minister of State for Education, on the need for a new post-16 education provider in Bolsover. And in the same month invited headteachers and representatives from local secondary schools to meet with the Minster of State for Schools, Nick Gibb MP.
Mark has worked with Matt Hall, Headteacher of The Bolsover School, the Regional School Commissioner, Redhill Academy Trust, Derbyshire County Council, and Ministers in the Department for Education, to help get this project over the line.
Mark Fletcher, MP for Bolsover, commented:
‘’This is a great day for Bolsover and the proudest day of my life. I genuinely could not be happier for young people across our constituency, who will now have access to a good quality post-16 education locally.
Children growing up in communities across Bolsover will now have better life chances because of the Government’s support and I could not be prouder of Matt Hall and all those involved who have helped make this project a success. I look forward to working with them over the coming months to deliver this life changing project for the young people of Bolsover.’’
Commenting Headteacher, Matt Hall, added;
‘’To be able to provide our students with progression route to accessible, local post-16 provision will undoubtably go a long way to raising the aspirations of all students who attend the Bolsover School for years to come ‘’
Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, Secretary of State for Education said;
“Mark has led the charge for a sixth form in Bolsover. No one has campaigned harder to bring more education provision to their constituency, and I’m so pleased that the sixth form is now coming”
Cllr Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Education at Derbyshire County Council said;
“This is amazing news for Bolsover and the surrounding area. Huge congratulations to Redhill Academy Trust and The Bolsover School on their successful application and a massive thank you to Mark Fletcher MP for spearheading this vital campaign. This will make such a difference for young people in the area, raising aspirations and providing high quality post-16 education in the heart of the constituency for generations to come.”
Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby said: “We are delighted to have been able to support The Bolsover School's successful bid for a free school and a new sixth form. This is an exciting step in the school's journey of providing high-quality education, outcomes and opportunities for young people in the region, and we very much look forward to continuing to work with the school into the future”
