Visit to Balshaw's C of E Secondary School

Paul Foster MP speaking to students at Balshaw's C of E Secondary School in Leyland

I had a fantastic time visiting Balshaw's C of E Secondary School in Leyland, where I had the pleasure of meeting the brilliant pupils and dedicated staff. The students asked me a wide range of insightful and challenging questions, covering topics such as "What's it like to be an MP?" and "How will you protect green areas from being built on?" We even delved into discussions about Donald Trump and the use of religion to justify slavery and racism. The students really gave me a good grilling, and it was inspiring to see so many young people so engaged and invested in politics. In total, I answered nearly 30 thought-provoking questions.

A special thank you to Head Teacher Mr. Haycocks for giving me a tour of the school. Built in the 1930s, the building is constantly undergoing maintenance to ensure it meets the needs of its students and staff. Last year, the Department for Education allocated £1.8 billion in capital funding to help maintain and improve school buildings and grounds, with a focus on sustainability and resilience. I am hopeful that some of this funding will benefit schools in South Ribble, including Balshaw's.

It was a pleasure to spend time with such an engaged and thoughtful group of young people. Their curiosity and passion for important issues give me great confidence in the future of our community. Thank you to everyone at Balshaw's for making my visit so memorable.