Mike O'Brien MP

EDUCATION SECRETARY ON SURPRISE VISIT TO POLESWORTH SCHOOL

The Secretary of State for Education, Ed Balls, has made a surprise visit to The Polesworth School and Language College.  The visit to the nationally well regarded North Warwickshire School was organised by local MP Mike O'Brien. 

A group of thirty pupils got the chance to grill the Education Secretary for forty minutes and he watched rehearsals for the school play "Oliver" before going to the music department where he displayed a remarkable skill on the drums.

The head teacher Phillip Hamilton welcomed the Education Secretary and briefing him on the success of the school in recent years.  Mr Hamilton took over last year from Andy Clark who has turned what Mr Hamilton described as: "A school with an average intake, which turn out well above average results, thanks to a great staff, the support of parents and the enthusiasm of the students."

Ed Balls said, "Mike O'Brien had told me how what a wonderful school Polesworth School is. I wanted to see for myself.  It is consistently one of the outstanding Comprehensives and recently had an excellent OFSTED report.  I was delighted to visit the new language centre."

Mike said, "Visits can be revealing.  Few expected when Ed Balls sat behind a drum kit that he could actually play them really well. He hit the lids with skill and gusto. 

"This visit was a real boost for The Polesworth School, recognising its achievements.   I worked with the Andy Clark the previous head to get funding for its status as a language college and its new building. I am delighted that the present head Phillip Hamilton has taken the school to its best results ever this year.       

"Fifteen years ago parents from this school had to march in London with other parents from Warwickshire parents and their children to demand a fair deal for our schools. The massive investment in teachers and schools since 1997 is really paying off here.  One of the reasons I wanted to show the Education Secretary the Music section was because the County Council are considering cutting music funding.  I don't want to go back to an era where children had to be able to afford to pay private education fees to learn to play a musical instrument."

Ed Balls MP said, "Music is an important part of a child's education.  I hope Warwickshire do not cut its funding."