SECONDARY schools in Basingstoke are set to get a financial boost to improve GCSE education in the area.

Following a successful bid from the LEARN Teaching School Alliance, led by Thornden School, in conjunction with Hampshire County Council, £450,000 has been allocated from the Department for Education.

The funding will be used to build on the improvements seen in recent years throughout Basingstoke and continue to raise standards in teaching, leadership, and governance.

It will also support work to improve teaching in English, mathematics and the sciences. Basingstoke teachers will work collaboratively with specialist teachers and advisors to grow their knowledge and skills.

Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller praised the news of the allocated funds in Basingstoke schools.

She said: “It is great news to hear about this important Government investment, which will help with the ongoing work to raise standards across our secondary schools.

“There is already some fantastic work underway and this funding boost will give added impetus to these efforts. I will keep in close touch with the education authority and our schools to hear more about their plans for this investment.”

She added: “For me, the priority is always to ensure that all children in Basingstoke get the high standard of education they deserve. I am delighted by this very welcome cash injection in helping to achieve that.”

Hampshire County Council is hoping that the money will further academic achievement at A-level and widening training and employment opportunities when students leave secondary education at age 16.

Executive member for education at the county council, Cllr Peter Edgar, said: “Basingstoke schools have been working really hard and achieved positive outcomes for students in the area. This has been reflected in recent Ofsted judgements which have seen, for example, Brighton Hill rated as ‘good’ and Cranbourne College has moved rapidly out of special measures to requiring improvement and is implementing a clear plan of action to further drive up standards.

“In order to draw from the Strategic School Improvement Fund, local authorities work in partnership with a leading Teaching School i.e. one known for best practice and who lead on professional development of teachers, and we are appreciative of the support we have had from Thornden School’s LEARN Teaching Alliance which was able to lead the bid for us, and on behalf of Basingstoke schools.”