Minister impressed by improvement at Felpham school

Mr Gibb, who is also MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, took a tour of Felpham Community College last Friday.

Mr Gibb, who has visited the Felpham Way school a number of times, said he was impressed with the school and had seen an improvement in the learning environment.

He said: “As an impartial outsider I think the school is improving. I have seen its impressive language and maths departments. Maths in particular is a fantastic subject to have.

“I was very impressed talking to some sixth form students taking A-level maths and further maths. I also observed a very interesting art lesson.

“I was really impressed with the good atmosphere around the school. It is a calm and safe environment, just what students need when they are working hard.

“The GCSE and A-level results were very impressive. They show a fantastic improvement and it is evidence of the high-class teaching at the school.

“There is definitely a high level of optimism around the school.”

Mr Gibb said it was especially nice to visit a school in his constituency.

He said: “I do get the chance to visit a lot of schools, I would like to visit a lot more on a regular basis but there are a lot in the constituency.”

During his time at the school Mr Gibb chatted with students and met senior members of the school’s teaching staff.

Headteacher Mark Anstiss said: “As a school we were really pleased to welcome our local MP and the schools minister Nick Gibb.

“We have both been in our jobs for about the same amount of time. I decided to write to his office and invite him to come for a tour and observe what goes on at our school.

“We were all delighted Mr Gibb could take time out of his schedule to come and see what we are doing at the college. ”

Following Mr Gibbs’ one-hour tour of the school, he attended a conference held in the schools library, which was attended by heads of other West Sussex schools.

The gathering was an opportunity for Mr Gibb to debate the Government’s education policy with the headteachers.