The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove MP, visited Freemantle Academy this morning, to officially open the school's brand new Junior School building.
Mr Gove met with the head, teachers, governors and pupils and heard about the fantastic work going on at the school.
Freemantle was the city's first primary school to convert to Academy status and is taking full advantage of the extra freedoms that comes with it, makes changes to term times, its curriculum and expanding from infant to primary.
It was a great opportunity for the school to show case its achievements to government and everyone had a great time!
It was also good to be able to share the good work being done more widely in education in the city.
In last year the city's schools have gone from strength to strength. Key Stage 2 and 4 improvements outstripped the national average. The majority of our schools are now rated as 'Good' or 'Outstanding' and we now have 14 headteachers recognised as either National or Local Leaders in Education.
The City Council is developing a Learning Master Plan for Southampton and working with local schools, colleges and the two universities. We have already achieved a great deal working together; the new City College Studio School, a university scholarship scheme and student bus pass scheme to help young people to get to college.
We are working with all schools in the city, have supported a number of schools in their conversion to Academy status and assisted two local community organisations in their bids to open new Free Schools.
