Andrew Adonis – now Lord Adonis - is in town on Friday. He was the great reforming education Minister of the last Labour government.
The main point of his visit is to open the extension to the Birkenhead High School Academy. It was Andrew who was anxious that this school should come into the state sector as our first Academy in Birkenhead.
I was very supportive of this move. Under Chris Mann, a new head, the school has been safely extending its catchment to girls and young women who might not previously have had the chance to go there.
I was in the school a few weeks ago looking at the new build. It is smashing and I'm sure Andrew will be very pleased with the development of the school.
It is however not the only visit Andrew is doing on Friday. Hopefully he will have time to meet all the heads of Birkenhead junior schools to discuss with headteachers the best ways to ensure that schools excel.
The plan is for Andrew also to have time to call on John Syvret to talk about our University Technical College. I know Andrew was keen that we gained one.
The other project Andrew is interested in is Springboard. Springboard will stand alongside mothers and fathers who wish to do the very best for their children but, in these uncertain times, will want every bit of support they can get.
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