Maria Miller MP welcomed Minister for School Standards Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP to Basingstoke to visit Ashwood Academy.
The Ashwood Academy is a small, supportive alternative education centre for learners aged 11 to 16-years-old. The national curriculum is delivered within a flexible and nurturing environment that recognises individual needs.
The Ashwood Academy provides short-term placements for young people in the Basingstoke area who need additional behavioural, emotional or medical support.
Maria toured the school with the Minister and Executive Principal Dave Moran. Two pupils then interviewed the Minister as part of their work experience working for a local Newspaper.
Schools’ Minister Nick Gibb commented; “Ashwood Academy is an alternative provision setting that is ensuring that children who have struggled at their secondary school are given a second chance in a smaller school, with classes of just 8 students. There is a real determination to ensure all students leave school with those vital core academic skills in place, particularly in Maths and English.”
Maria commented; “The visit to Ashwood Academy demonstrated the benefits of a nurturing Alternative Provision offer. Catch 22 has made a huge difference to the school which is now rated as “Good” by Ofsted. It was clear to see the opportunities offered to pupils by placing them in a small nurturing environment with clear expectations. I was struck by a comment one of the pupils made saying that classes felt like a family. I was delighted that the Minister could visit Ashwood Academy and look forward to seeing the school go from strength to strength.”
