MP '˜delighted' with schoolthat's going the extra mile

PORTSMOUTH South MP Flick Drummond has shown her appreciation for a school that is helping students to kick-start their lives.
Flick Drummond MP, centre, with Ruth Gabrat and Oliver Chandler, Year 9Flick Drummond MP, centre, with Ruth Gabrat and Oliver Chandler, Year 9
Flick Drummond MP, centre, with Ruth Gabrat and Oliver Chandler, Year 9

St Edmund’s School in Upper Arundel Street, Portsmouth, has been running a number of extracurricular activities for their students to participate in.

Flick Drummond MP recently visited the school – she met with the headteacher of St Edmund’s Catholic School, Simon Graham, for a tour of facilities including a nearly completed IT suite, and she then had lunch in the canteen with students from years seven to nine.

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She was told about activities, like fencing and water polo, that are available at the school, where 81% of students gained grades A* to C in 2016.

She said: ‘I am a strong advocate of trying to ensure that all pupils get access to what I call areas of ‘enrichment’ – this includes activities such as such as drama, music, debating and sport. I was incredibly impressed by just how many different activities are on offer for students at St Edmund’s.

‘To me, it is vitally important that pupils leave school, not only with the best academic grades that they can attain, but also having had a broad education, giving them the skills to be able to achieve their full potential in the future.’

‘The headteacher has done a fantastic job instilling this ethos at his school and I was impressed the pupils have responded with such enthusiasm. Things are looking very positive at St Edmund’s and the school can be proud of what they have managed to accomplish.’

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The school, which is named after the former Archbishop of Canterbury, was awarded with an Outstanding report by Ofsted last year, who said: ‘Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive in their support for the school.

‘They identify the pastoral support pupils receive as one of the school’s many strengths.’

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