The first step has been taken towards getting a new secondary school for the Falmouth and Truro area.

Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory has secured a meeting with Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson to discuss the potential for a new secondary school for her constituency.

She warned that it was only the start of "a lengthy journey" but that with the existing schools now almost full the situation needed to be addressed.

Speaking in parliament on Monday Cherilyn said: “In my constituency, our secondary schools are near full capacity. With bigger year groups to come as the population of Cornwall continues to grow, will my right honorary friend work with me to explore the option of a new free secondary school for the children of my constituency?”

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In response, Mr Williamson said: “My honorary friend raises such an important point about the importance of having the right provision in Cornwall for her constituents.

"When I visited her constituency I saw how she was campaigning so hard to get the very best for all her constituents.

"I would be very happy to meet her to discuss this further and to discuss how best to ensure that we deliver the brilliant provision she is always rightly fighting for.”

Speaking after the debate, Cherilyn said: “When I was campaigning before my election it was very clear how close to capacity our excellent secondary schools in Truro and Falmouth are, and this has been reinforced by my subsequent regular meetings with teachers around the constituency.

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“Given these continuing trends, we need to explore all opportunities for new secondary education provision for our constituency.

"I was pleased to raise this at the very top of the Government in Parliament today and am delighted that the Secretary of State has offered me a meeting to explore these ideas further.

"This is the start of a lengthy journey, and I remain committed to doing all I can to ensure the educational prospects for our young people in Truro and Falmouth are the best that they can be.”