VIP visit for The Gatwick School

Operated by Aurora Academies Trust, The Gatwick School caters for pupils aged 4-16 and began life as a free school in 2014 with just 44 children.

Just four years later there are over 650 on roll and the school has waiting lists for places.

Mr Hinds was keen to see why the school has become so popular.

Visits to classrooms were organised and led by some of the Student Leadership Team including the Head Girl and Boy from both the primary and secondary phases.

Mr Hinds was impressed with the standards of teaching and learning throughout the school and commented on the high quality learning environment and the engagement in lessons.

Head of School, Mark Roessler said: “Having such an important visitor to The Gatwick School has really created an energetic atmosphere and today there was a palpable ‘buzz’ around the school. Every student and every member of staff was keen to show off their learning and Mr Hinds was very receptive to that and spent a long time talking to our students and thanking members of staff for allowing him into their lessons.”

Aurora’s Director of Education and Executive Head Paul Reilly said: “In our first inspection we were rated by Ofsted as being Good with some Outstanding features and that has really helped cement our reputation in the community. We are now becoming the school of choice for many parents who tell us that they like our all-through approach and the unique family feel that permeates the school.”

Henry Smith MP later said: “I was pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Education on a tour of The Gatwick School. He and I were very impressed by the engaging children and staff; this school is rightly popular with local parents.”

CEO Tim McCarthy concluded: “Aurora Academies Trust is very proud of The Gatwick School and everything that has been achieved here. We have delivered on the promise we gave to parents to provide a great education to children and families in this area and this visit by the Secretary of State confirms that our success is being recognised at a national level. However, we will not stop here, for us it is always onwards and upwards!”

See also: New Crawley homes being ‘squeezed in’ at Forge Wood neighbourhood

Gatwick and Crawley route to get this electric double-decker bus