Shadow Schools Minister Stephen Morgan MP paid a visit to Byron Primary School in Gillingham to showcase Labour’s plans to help children ‘bounce back’ from the pandemic.

Mr Morgan was joined by Gillingham South Councillor Naushabah Khan. The two toured classrooms and spoke to student ambassadors before being interviewed by the school’s year 6 newsletter writing team.

During the visit Mr Morgan emphasised the importance of Labour’s ambitious Children’s Education Recovery Plan to help children recover from the disruption of the pandemic.

The ambitious plan would deliver: School activities and breakfast clubs, quality mental health support in every school, small group tutoring for all who need it, and make real investment in our teachers.

In contrast, Labour revealed that the government missed its own targets to deliver healthy breakfasts to school children, and their flagship National Tutoring Programme has reached just 10% of its pupil target.

Shadow Schools Minister Stephen Morgan said:

“It was such a pleasure to visit Byron Primary and meet their inspirational staff and pupils.

“The school is doing innovative work with fantastic children, but the government’s inadequate catch-up plans threaten to pull the rug from under them.

“Labour has set out clear plans to help children and teachers bounce back from the pandemic. The government must match this ambition to secure our children’s futures. 

Clive Johnson, Medway Labour and Cooperative Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said:

“Medway schools are doing a fantastic job in coping with the pandemic and its effects but the government’s lack of a robust recovery plan and its ineffective measures, such as the poorly thought-through tutoring programme, are making their job much more difficult. 

“I am pleased to see Stephen Morgan’s plans for a swift, effective and long-term school recovery programme from Labour.”

Cllr Naushabah Khan, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Member for Gillingham South added:

“It was great to have Stephen Morgan visit Gillingham and see the fantastic work our local schools have been doing.

“They have been at the frontline of the pandemic, with little support from national government.

“Labour is listening to  school leaders and taking the future of our children seriously.”