Message of optimism for future pupils

LAST week, I cycled down to Balcarras School and dropped off a letter with staff of the High School Leckhampton. The letter was addressed to the HSL pupils of the future, and will be placed in a time capsule to be unearthed in their new premises in fifty years’ time.

The letter reads: “It is with great pride and optimism for the future that this message is deposited in the HSL time capsule. This school, built at a cost of over £30million, symbolises the importance this generation attaches to the education, freedom of thought and curiosity of the next.

“We write this message at a time of uncertainty in our country and the wider world – borne of an illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the legacy of the coronavirus pandemic. Your generation will face uncertainties too. It is your education that constitutes your most powerful tool in tackling them with wisdom, humanity and courage.

“Cheltenham’s motto is Salubritas et Eruditio – Health and Education. Every brick of this new school strengthens that educational tradition. That tradition will in turn empower your generation to write the next chapter of Cheltenham’s, and indeed our country’s, history.”

I had it signed by the Prime Minister and Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi. I also attached the Uk-ukraine lapel badge worn by MPS on the day of President Zelensky of Ukraine’s historic address to the House of Commons.

The letter marked a milestone in a journey which began when I first became Cheltenham’s MP in 2015. Within weeks I was confronted with the so-called “Leckhampton Triangle” problem, whereby local secondary school students were unable to secure places in nearby secondary schools, causing enormous distress.

I vowed then to campaign for a new school to fix the crisis.

I am delighted that seven years and £30m later, the High School Leckhampton is close to completion. Education is the greatest gift we can give to the next generation.

Alex Chalk

MP for Cheltenham