As Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean, I regularly attend meetings with headteachers and governing bodies across the constituency. In June, I attended a meeting with the headteacher and governors at Heart of the Forest Community Special School.
This meeting followed on from a previous meeting I had with the school last year. This was a useful opportunity to discuss with the school their current concerns over funding and the unique challenges of running a special school. I am pictured here with the head, Stephanie Withington, and Governor Jonathan Gault.
Heart of the Forest is a good school surrounded by picturesque woodland. The school has around one hundred pupils and caters for those with physical and learning needs, some of which are profound and multiple. Ages range from 3, in the nursery class, to 19 in the sixth form. Students at the school are taught a full curriculum as well as many other extracurricular activities. It is always a pleasure to visit Heart of the Forest and I look forward to my next meeting.