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

Newham Recorder: Lord Andrew Adonis visits School 21. Pictured left to right: head teacher Peter Hyman, Andrew AdonisLord Andrew Adonis visits School 21. Pictured left to right: head teacher Peter Hyman, Andrew Adonis (Image: 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.