STUDENTS at Nova Hreod Academy had a chance to speak to the Government’s man in charge of academies on Thursday when they welcomed Lord Nash to the Akers Way school.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools visit was to congratulate staff and students on the summer’s GCSE success and to speak at a seminar hosted by Sir David Carter, regional schools commissioner for the South West, about schools on the drive to become outstanding.

Pupils achieved record results in this year’s exams, with the number of students achieving at least five A* to C grades including in English and maths increasing from 31 per cent to 60 per cent in a single year.

Darren Barton, principal of Nova Hreod Academy said: “It was a great privilege to welcome Lord Nash here so that he could see for himself the progress we have been making over the past year.

“It is very rewarding for us all to feel that what we have achieved is recognised at a national level and his words of encouragement chime well with our vision as a United Learning academy to bring out the best in everyone.”

Later in the day, Lord Nash spoke at a meeting of schools brought together by Sir David to encourage them to join Nova Hreod in their mission to become outstanding.

Lord Nash said: “It’s been a real pleasure to visit Nova Hreod today.

“I’ve been hugely impressed by what I’ve seen – pupils are smart and well behaved, Darren Barton and Ben Parnell are exceptional leaders and the whole school should be rightly proud of its wonderful achievements.”