The case for a North Yorkshire free school specialising in agriculture and rural economy – The Yorkshire Post says

IT IS 18 months since Julian Sturdy, the Conservative MP for York Outer, first proposed the creation of a GCSE course in Agriculture.
York outer MP Julian Sturdy has been making the case for GCSE courses in Agriculture.York outer MP Julian Sturdy has been making the case for GCSE courses in Agriculture.
York outer MP Julian Sturdy has been making the case for GCSE courses in Agriculture.

“As a nation, we simply cannot afford to get into a position where insufficient numbers of people want to engage in the vital work of producing our food, and managing our countryside,” he wrote in this newspaper in February 2018.

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Yet, while there was little enthusiasm at the time from Ministers whose response was lethargic to say the least, the issue has clearly piqued the interest of Scarborough-born Gavin Williamson, the newly-appointed Education Secretary, who says he is “open to looking at” the creation of a free school in North Yorkshire which would have the freedom to put agriculture, and wider rural economy, at the heart of its ethos.

Gavin Williamson (right) during a recent visit to a free school with Boris Johnson.Gavin Williamson (right) during a recent visit to a free school with Boris Johnson.
Gavin Williamson (right) during a recent visit to a free school with Boris Johnson.

One of former prime minister David Cameron’s flagship domestic policies, the intention of free schools was to enhance the quality of education in the poorest areas of the country.

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And while some have been more effective than others, there should be no reason why such specialist schooling cannot be provided in a rural county which will always be synonymous with agriculture. If a new generation of young farmers is to be nurtured, they will need the skills which will enable them to flourish and run viable businesses.

And while this will be in addition to the work of existing colleges, Mr Williamson, as an astute politician, will also take heed of North Yorkshire County Council’s view that all schoolchildren – rather than a select number – should also be taught about farming, food production and its wider significance to the environment.