Cannock MP welcomes new free school in Rugeley

Cannock MP Amanda Milling has welcomed the announcement that a new free school will be built in Rugeley.

The school - one of 21 announced by the government - will house 1,000 pupils, and will open in September 2023.

The new Rugeley John Taylor School will open to nursery, reception, and Year 7 pupils, and will be built on the town 's old power station site.

The John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust already runs a number of schools in Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, and the new school will focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Ms Milling (pictured) said the new school would ensure future generations would be taught the skills they would need for future employment.

She said: “This is great news for Rugeley and I look forward to seeing the school take in its first pupils. The redevelopment of the power station site is the perfect place to build a school that will ensure that future generations leave school with a wide range of skills and a good education.

“I am also delighted the school will be the first all-through school in the county and offer a seamless education path for children from a very young age until they are ready to go to university, further education or enter the world of work.

“Since being elected I have worked hard to help improve education and employment opportunities. I have no doubt that this new school will provide students across Cannock Chase the necessary skills to get on in life. ”

She added that the free school programme had helped raise educational standards across England, with more than 80 per cent of them rated 'good ' or 'outstanding ' by Ofsted.

Free schools are state funded non-profit establishments that can be set up and run by teachers, parents and community groups, in response to demands for better education provision in their communities.