Miriam Cates

Miriam was born and brought up in Sheffield, and for the last nine years has lived with her husband and three children in Oughtibridge, a village in the South of the constituency.

Miriam is an active member of her community: and has chaired the school PTA, helped to set up and lead a youth group, and in her role as a Parish Councillor has campaigned on a number of local issues including; better local transport, increased police numbers and better skills and education for all.

Miriam says “I love being part of this community and am proud to call it my home. As a Parish Councillor I have had lots of experience helping local people with local issues and I have been able to learn about the challenges that we're facing in this area. This is a beautiful constituency with both urban and rural communities but we face some big challenges including housing, schools and transport.”

Miriam has a particular interest in education. She went to her Sheffield comprehensive school and then on to Cambridge University to study Genetics. She returned to Sheffield and trained to be a teacher at Sheffield Hallam University, teaching science in Sheffield secondary schools for six years.

Miriam believes that schools are an integral part in increasing social mobility across Penistone & Stocksbridge. She says “we have some great schools in this area with brilliant and dedicated teachers, but too many of our children aren’t reaching their potential at GCSE, and sometimes it feels as though we've been ‘left out’ on the edge of a big city.  With first-hand experience in education, I will work with schools, parents and children to raise aspirations, support our young people and help them to achieve the success they deserve."

For the last six years, Miriam has worked as the Finance Director in the technology business she owns with her husband. “My experience of working in the business sector has shown me how important the private sector is in providing employment, growth and opportunities. Technology is our fastest growing sector and, with the right infrastructure, people in our constituency can benefit from that growth.