Nick Herbert visits Hurstpierpoint College
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has paid a visit to Hurstpierpoint College to meet staff and take a look around the school.
Mr Herbert met with Headmaster Tim Manly, Head of the Middle School Richard Taylor-West and Deputy Headmaster Tim Firth to discuss a range of current issues affecting the school, including the growth in student numbers, the award of scholarships to pupils from state schools, the school curriculum and the provision of new accommodation.
Mr Herbert was also given a tour of the school by Registrar David Clark and visited the chapel, library, dining hall, cricket pitch and the new Academic Quad.
Founded in 1849, Hurstpierpoint College is an independent school and is part of the Woodard group of schools which includes Lancing College and Ardingly College. It is a mixed school with around 850 pupils aged between 8 and 18. It is located on a 140 acre campus and consists of a pre-preparatory school, preparatory school, senior school and sixth form.
After the visit, Tim Manly commented: "The School always welcomes those who have a strong interest in local affairs and our environment and I have always found Nick to be an excellent supporter of community activities and initiatives such as the Hurst Festival.
"It was good to meet him again and to take the opportunity to discuss, in broad terms, issues that affect us all. We had a useful exchange of ideas and he took the opportunity to meet one or two of my senior management team, to see the College at work and, in particular, to view our new Academic Quad which will be completed later this year."
Nick Herbert commented: "I very much enjoyed my visit to Hurstpierpoint College to meet with Tim Manly and his colleagues, and I'm looking forward to returning in September to talk to pupils."
Mr Herbert added: "I was particularly interested to hear about the Headmaster's role with the academy programme in West Sussex, and specifically his support for the Littlehampton Academy which opens in September. I'm a strong supporter of the academy programme. I think it's a key tool for driving up standards in our schools and I believe these new links between the state and the independent schools sectors will be valuable and rewarding for both sides."
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Notes for Editors
1. For the website of Hurstpierpoint College, visit http://www.hppc.co.uk/.
2. For a copy of the latest OFSTED report, published in June 2007, visit http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_reports/download/(id)/217811/(as)/SC014582_SC.pdf.
3. In the photograph Nick Herbert (right) is shown with Headmaster Tim Manly.