Surrey News
mary lewis
Former Surrey foster child backs campaign to find new carers
A former Surrey foster child who credits his foster family with turning his life around is backing a new campaign to find more carers. Lewis says his foster family gave him stability and a sense of self-worth which helped him achieve 12 GCSEs and a job he loves. He said: “My early childhood consisted of … Continue reading
County council backs community bid to welcome Syrian refugee family to Mole Valley
Surrey County Council is supporting an application from a community group to sponsor a family fleeing conflict in Syria to settle in Mole Valley. Mary Lewis, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, took the decision on 22 January. More details are available here. Mrs Lewis said: “I’m pleased to support this community bid … Continue reading
Surrey agencies launch academy to train children’s workforce
Surrey County Council and partner agencies are today launching a new academy to train and support staff who work with children. Surrey Children’s Services Academy will support agencies across the county to work together to offer children and families the best possible help and care. The ambitious initiative is among the first of its kind in … Continue reading
VIDEO: New Surrey County Council Leader announces plan to leave County Hall
The new Leader of Surrey County Council has used his acceptance speech to announce plans to leave County Hall in Kingston. Tim Oliver, the county councillor for Weybridge, was this morning (Tuesday 11 December, 2018) elected to lead the authority and immediately revealed the plans to fellow councillors. Taking over from David Hodge who stepped … Continue reading
Five things you didn’t know you could do online with Surrey libraries
Mary Lewis, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, said: “These are just a selection of the digital services available through Surrey libraries but there is potential for us to go further and use technology in new and different ways. “We’re running a consultation on the principles that will help us reshape our library … Continue reading
VIDEO: Smaller ‘link’ libraries help bring books closer to communities
Smaller “link” libraries are helping to bring books closer to local communities particularly in rural areas. Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, Mary Lewis, visited a community link library in Shere – one of three in Surrey. A consultation running until Friday 4 January 2019 is asking for people’s views on a proposed … Continue reading
VIDEO: Community hubs could bring libraries and other services under one roof
Residents are being asked for their views on whether libraries could bring together a range of local services in one place, as part of a consultation on a proposed strategy for libraries. Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, Mary Lewis, is calling on residents to have their say. The consultation can be found … Continue reading
VIDEO: Volunteers set to be given bigger role in running community-partnered libraries
With Surrey County Council’s Cabinet due to consider a report on Tuesday about support arrangements for community-partnered libraries, Mary Lewis, Cabinet Member for All Age Learning, outlines plans to give volunteers a bigger role in running their local branches. More information can be found here.
IN PICTURES: 250 extra places created at Salesian School
These are the new facilities which have helped provide an extra 250 places at Salesian School in Chertsey. A new teaching block has been constructed which houses 12 classrooms while existing buildings have been renovated to create new science classrooms and a science lecture theatre. More information can be found here. Mary Lewis, Surrey County … Continue reading
Proposal being drawn up to expand and relocate high-performing Tandridge school
A high-performing Tandridge primary school could be rebuilt on a new site and expanded to create 210 more school places under a proposal being developed by Surrey County Council. Warlingham Village Primary, which has an Ofsted “outstanding” rating, would be rebuilt nearby at significantly reduced cost to taxpayers under plans to help meet growing demand … Continue reading
86% of Surrey pupils offered their first choice primary school
Eighty-six per cent of Surrey children who applied for Reception Class places this year were offered their first choice school. Almost all applicants – 96 per cent – were allocated one of their top three preferred schools. Mary Lewis, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to offer … Continue reading
84% of Surrey pupils offered their first choice secondary school despite rise in applications
Surrey has offered five out of six applicants their first preference secondary school despite an eight per cent rise in applications. The county council processed 851 more applications this year than last – enough to fill an entire new secondary school. Figures for secondary school “national offer day” show: *83.6% of Surrey applicants were offered … Continue reading
Proposal unveiled for Runnymede all-weather pitch to help secure multi-million pound secondary school
A plan to build an all-weather sports pitch to help secure funding for a new multi-million pound secondary school in Runnymede will be considered by the county council’s Cabinet. The proposal would provide new sports grounds for Chertsey High School, a new free school helping to meet growing demand for school places in Runnymede. It … Continue reading
Plans signed off for 150 more secondary school places in Farnham
Plans to expand a Farnham secondary school to create an extra 150 places have been approved at a meeting of Surrey County Council’s Cabinet. A new sports hall and other facilities will be provided at Farnham Heath End School to help meet rising demand for secondary places in the Farnham area. More information is available here. … Continue reading
ROUND-UP: Surrey’s pledge to tackle domestic abuse; Hard work pays off for adult learners; Catering team lands award
Surrey’s pledge to tackle domestic abuse Surrey has become one of the first counties in the UK to receive White Ribbon status for its commitment to tackling domestic violence and abuse. The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement which asks supporters to pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about male violence against … Continue reading
