WEST LONDON, UK—Michael Gove praised the newly opened free school Nishkam School West London (UK), this morning as he met pupils, staff, and parents.
The Education Secretary spoke to children during an assembly at Nishkam School, on London Road, before spending time in lessons.
He was accompanied by Brentford & Isleworth MP Mary Macleod, during the visit. The multi-faith primary school is one of four free schools of Nishkam School Trust, opened at the empty office block last September. It is looking to expand to a permanent site in 2016, where it will eventually accept pupils aged from 4 to 18.
Speaking at the end of his visit, Mr. Gove said: “Pupils seemed to be operating above what you would expect for children of their age, and the teachers I met were excellent. Its a sister free school, Nishkam High School which opened in 2012 in Birmingham, has recently obtained Ofsted Outstanding in all four categories; an amazing achievement.”
Asked by one boy why he was ‘in charge of all the schools,’ he responded: “I ask myself that every day and some people say ‘why is he in charge of all the schools?.’ It’s my responsibility to make sure the teachers get the money they need to make sure you get the education you deserve.”
Head Teacher Jaspreet Kaur Cheema told Mr. Gove: “Only 10 percent of our pupils were on track for reading when they started here but a recent assessment put them at around 85 percent, which is well above the national average.
“Small class sizes of 25, and rigorous monitoring and support of children’s achievement are key features of our school. Even more important are our parents, because they’re so engaged. Parent workshops help them support their children with their education.”
Mr. Terry Green, Executive Principal of Nishkam School Trust, told Mr Gove: “We are delighted with the support given by the Department for Education (DfE) in our aims to achieve a unique value-led multi faith education. The faith and character of each child is nurtured creating not only the foundations of very high academic aspiration and achievement, but shaping communities for the common good.”
Theresa O’Mahony, of Osterley, whose four-year-old son Roan attends the school, said: “I’m really proud of this school because of the values, the kindness and the quality of teaching, which is exceptional.”
“I feel my son’s making fabulous progress and he’s really happy because there’s such a friendly atmosphere.”
Harsharan Panesar, whose daughter Jasmeet, five, is at the school, said: “It’s a nice, loving environment and it’s important to me that it’s a multi-faith ethos school, which teaches children the good values of society as well as giving them a good academic education.”
Since opening, Nishkam Schools have been significantly oversubscribed for pupil admissions.
