Education Secretary to visit Brighton and Hove school

Education Secretary Michael Gove is to visit the new Brighton and Hove Bilingual Primary School.

Mr Gove told the House of Commons that he plans to visit the new school in its temporary home in Falmer shortly.

The Bilingual Primary School is the first free school of its kind in the country and is expected to move to a permanent site in Hove or Portslade in the coming year.

It opened just under a fortnight ago at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy site in Falmer.

Mr Gove said this afternoon (Monday 17 September) that he would visit the school later in the year as he spoke in a debate about exam reform.

He said: “I’m also hoping to, later this year, visit the first new bilingual primary free school in Hove.

“The growth of language teaching as an integral part of an all-round academic education is central what this coalition government wishes to achieve.

“It’s an area where we diverge from the last government. Vive la difference!”

Hove MP Mike Weatherley, a fellow Conservative, said: “I discussed this idea with Michael two days ago and now it’s a reality.

“The Bilingual Primary School, which has been backed by my colleague Councillor Andrew Wealls, is a pioneering project and it is really encouraging that the Secretary of State for Education is taking the time to come and see it for himself.

“I know that he will go away impressed by the amazing achievement, which can be solely attributed to a lot of hard work and determination from the school’s founders.”