There was good news and celebrations held across Swindon last week, as students from the town’s schools, colleges and sixth forms received their A level results.

I was delighted to hear that overall Swindon students exceeded the national pass rate for A-E marks. The national rate of passes was 97.6 per cent, but here in Swindon, the pass rate was 97.9 per cent. A massive congratulations to all students, as well as all of those teaching in our schools, colleges and sixth forms here in Swindon.

For those who did not get the grades you needed, there are still plenty of options available, A levels and then a degree is just one way for young people to fulfil their potential. Over 11,400 apprenticeships have been started in Swindon since 2010. Apprenticeships give young people the skills they need to succeed in life, in a role they want to progress in. They give employers the opportunity to mould and shape the workforce and deliver skills with real value in the jobs market.

Making sure that Swindon delivers high quality education services and support to all of its children, from pre-school through to college and beyond is one of my key priorities, so last year, I was pleased that former lead member for children’s services and school attainment, Coun Fionula Foley, secured £600,000 in funding over the next three years from the Council to set up the Swindon Challenge Boards. The partnership brings together all key stakeholders in education including the Regional Schools’ Commissioner, headteachers, the teaching schools, governors, local businesses and senior council leaders with the aim of improving educational outcomes in all our schools. Ofsted also has an observer on the board.

The Challenge Boards will continue their excellent work in monitoring and identifying best practice so that all Swindon schools can benefit and I will continue to regularly visit schools here in South Swindon, to support their work and that of the Challenge Boards.

Government funding for schools in England is at a record high this year of almost £43 billion. From September, education providers in Swindon will receive a total of over £161 million core funding, plus an additional £9.1 million of Pupil Premium support to assist children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

At the same time, the Government is also protecting funding for those with additional needs; investing nearly £2.5 billion to ensure that children get the extra support that they need. A further £5.8 billion of funding will also be used to create more good school places.

I am calling for local schools and community groups who are interested in planting a tree in South Swindon, as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, to come forward. I am delighted to be taking part in this project and I will be receiving five saplings of about 40 – 60cm in height in October. The tree species will be one hazel, two silver birch and two rowan trees. The trees are all UK sourced and grown and can be expected to reach 12-25m in height. Full instructions and planting and maintenance will be sent out with the trees. If you are a local school or community group and you have an area suitable for trees, please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Finally, as mentioned in my column a few weeks ago, on September 9, I will again be running the Swindon Half Marathon. This year, I will be running for Hop, Skip and Jump. This charity, which has a Swindon base, provides respite care for children and young adults with disabilities and special needs in Swindon and elsewhere.

You can sponsor me online and find out more about Hop, Skip and Jump by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hop-skip-and-jump-swindon