Six more ‘opportunity areas’ announced
Education Secretary Justine Greening announced six more places as ‘opportunity areas’ that will receive a share of £72 million funding.
The scheme, which was announced in October 2016, will be widened to include Bradford, Doncaster, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire, Hastings, Ipswich, and Stoke-on-Trent.
The first ‘opportunity areas’ were Blackpool, Derby, Norwich, Oldham, Scarborough, and West Somerset.
Schools and councils in those areas will use the funding to build teaching and leadership capacity and improve access to careers advice.
The 12 ‘opportunity areas’ in total are in areas which are ranked as ‘cold spots’ in the government’s social mobility index.
Each location will also receive funding for a new research school.
Greening made the announcement today (18 February) in a speech at professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, her former employer.
Read moreLatest News
06/10/2025 - 10:20
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.
03/10/2025 - 10:01
Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis warns.
02/10/2025 - 09:31
The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
01/10/2025 - 10:23
The Welsh Government has agreed to continue a licensing deal which will give all learners at Welsh state schools free access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home.
01/10/2025 - 09:51
Schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination, with a new approach to a guaranteed college or FE provider place available as a safety net being tested.
