Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, has welcomed Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove MP to Francis Combe Academy in Watford, to see firsthand the vast improvements the school has made in recent years.
On the visit, Micheal Gove MP, met with teaching staff and head teacher Debra Warwick before being shown around the school by the head boy and girl. Mr Gove watched a number of lessons before joining teachers in delivering part of a Year 10 history lesson. In addition he was able to look in on the mentoring programme run by the school, where pupils help students from the local Orchard primary school.
Mr Gove learnt how in recent years Francis Combe Academy had progressed significantly, and how their results are improving each year. Much of this success is attributable to the Academy model, championed by this Government which gives the school greater freedoms over how children learn.
Following the visit the Secretary of State said:
“I have enjoyed my visit to Francis Combe Academy and the opportunity to see a thriving Academy in action. The building, staff and students are all very impressive and testament to the positive improvements that a school can make under an Academy programme. I am pleased that so many secondary schools in Watford are now an Academy and continuing to do well.
Watford MP Richard Harrington said:
“ I am very grateful that Michael Gove took the time to see Francis Combe Academy, a school that the whole town should be very proud of. Every time I visit I am continually impressed by the high standards achieved by pupils and teachers , both of whom are an asset to the school and the wider community.
“The visit allowed the Secretary of State to see first hand how achieving Academy status can make such a difference to schools and in the case of Francis Combe, really turn performance around.”