Labour peer swaps House of Lords for Stratford free school

A Lord visited the borough’s first secondary free school last week where he got down to some serious learning with its new pupils.

Lord Andrew Adonis visits School 21. Pictured left to right: head teacher Peter Hyman, Andrew Adonis - Credit: Archant

Lord Andrew Adonis, a House of Lords peer and Minister for Schools and Transport under the last two Labour governments, gave a speech during a special assembly at School 21, on Rokeby Street, Stratford, before taking part in some classroom activities.

Headteacher Peter Hyman, a former special adviser to former Prime Minister Tony Blair, says he believes his class sizes - no higher than 25 - will be his key to success.

Lord Adonis’ visit follows interest from Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg who took a tour of the new school in March.

School 21 is currently in temporary accommodation and is due to move to their new home - the Old Rokeby School site which is under construction - in September.

The school, which opened on Rokeby Street in September last year, caters for children ageed four to 18, enrolling 75 children in reception and the same number in Year Seven.