Education secretary's visit to town schools postponed
Tuesday, 26th April 2011.
A prestigious visit tomorrow to Haverhill's two senior schools by the secretary of state for education has had to be postponed.
The Rt Hon Michael Gove was due to visit Samuel Ward Academy and Castle Manor Business and Enterprise College at the invitation of Haverhill's MP Matthew Hancock.
But the Opposition have decided to call a debate in the House of Commons tomorrow on education, to which the secretary of state is required to reply.
Mr Gove will therefore no longer be able to come to Suffolk but is required to attend the debate in Westminster.
Mr Hancock said the visit had been postponed 'with great regret'.
In advance of the visit he had said: “Haverhill’s two upper schools are an inspiration. They have both been turned around by outstanding head teachers, and are a model for high quality modern schools.
"Their success is crucial to Haverhill’s success, and their turn-around is central to the improvements that have been seen in the town.
“This is a chance for the two schools to showcase their achievements to the education secretary and to discuss their plans for the future."
Samuel Ward is celebrating achieving academy status, and the Secretary of State was to have unveiled a commemorative plaque and officially opened it as an Academy.
Mr Hancock said Castle Manor’s focus was on all-through education from pre-school to sixth form. He said the catchment area of Castle Partnership had above average levels of deprivation, and this was an important chance for the school to talk about the challenges it tackles with the Secretary of State.
The Rt Hon Michael Gove was due to visit Samuel Ward Academy and Castle Manor Business and Enterprise College at the invitation of Haverhill's MP Matthew Hancock.
But the Opposition have decided to call a debate in the House of Commons tomorrow on education, to which the secretary of state is required to reply.
Mr Gove will therefore no longer be able to come to Suffolk but is required to attend the debate in Westminster.
Mr Hancock said the visit had been postponed 'with great regret'.
In advance of the visit he had said: “Haverhill’s two upper schools are an inspiration. They have both been turned around by outstanding head teachers, and are a model for high quality modern schools.
"Their success is crucial to Haverhill’s success, and their turn-around is central to the improvements that have been seen in the town.
“This is a chance for the two schools to showcase their achievements to the education secretary and to discuss their plans for the future."
Samuel Ward is celebrating achieving academy status, and the Secretary of State was to have unveiled a commemorative plaque and officially opened it as an Academy.
Mr Hancock said Castle Manor’s focus was on all-through education from pre-school to sixth form. He said the catchment area of Castle Partnership had above average levels of deprivation, and this was an important chance for the school to talk about the challenges it tackles with the Secretary of State.
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