Minister for School Standards visits Heanor Gate Spencer to celebrate success in Literacy & Pupil Progress
Heanor Gate Spencer Academy were proud to welcome Georgia Gould, Minister of State for School Standards, and Amber Valley MP, Linsey Farnsworth, last Thursday (16 October), as part of a national focus on boosting literacy and attainment across secondary schools.
The visit recognised Heanor Gate’s outstanding work in supporting white working-class (WWC) pupils to achieve beyond national expectations. National data shows this group of students - defined as pupils eligible for free school meals and of white British ethnicity - often face some of the poorest outcomes across the country. However, at Heanor Gate, WWC students make more progress at Key Stage 4 than the national average, marking the Academy as one of only a handful of secondary schools nationally achieving this success.
Following the school’s achievement, Principal, Matt Jones, was recently invited to a Department for Education roundtable, followed by an invitation to speak at the DfE RISE Conference in Nottingham, alongside Minister Gould, which also took place last Thursday. Heanor Gate was selected to share its work at the conference in recognition of its exceptionally strong Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 transition processes - the foundation for student success at KS3 and beyond.
The visit began with Minister Gould and MP Linsey Farnsworth meeting school leaders and teachers to discuss how Heanor Gate is delivering targeted literacy support for Key Stage 3 students - ensuring that early reading development lays the foundation for future success. Conversations focused on identifying pupils who require additional support, and how strong literacy skills underpin progress across every subject.
The visit also coincided with the government’s announcement to introduce a new mandatory Year 8 reading test, which aims to ensure that every young person develops the reading fluency and comprehension skills needed to succeed across the curriculum. The new assessment will form part of the forthcoming Schools White Paper, which outlines the government’s wider ambition to raise educational standards and support improvement in schools nationwide.
A highlight of the morning was a discussion with students about their literacy journey at Heanor Gate. Several pupils shared how they began their secondary education below the expected reading level, and how the tailored support provided by the school has helped them grow in both confidence and ability.
Selected students were also invited to take part in filming for the Education Secretary’s speech delivered later that day at the RISE Conference. This special opportunity, now featured on Department for Education social media channels, showcased the Academy’s commitment to empowering young people to find their voice and share their success.
Watch the DfE video here.
Minister Gould and Linsey Farnsworth MP were both inspired by the visit and the energy of the school community. Reflecting on the experience, MP Linsey Farnsworth said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Minister Gould to Heanor Gate Spencer Academy and showcase the incredible work being done here in Amber Valley. This school is a shining example of how great teaching, strong leadership and deep community roots can change lives. Their recognition as one of the world’s best schools is thoroughly deserved and something we can all be proud of. The government’s new focus on reading and literacy will help ensure every child - wherever they grow up - has the same opportunity to thrive and succeed. Schools like Heanor Gate are already showing what’s possible.”
Earlier this year, Heanor Gate Spencer Academy were also named a Top 10 finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Community Collaboration, becoming the first school in Derbyshire to achieve this global recognition.
The Academy’s approach combines academic excellence with wellbeing, employability and community engagement. Through initiatives tackling issues such as food insecurity, anti-social behaviour and social isolation among older residents, Heanor Gate continues to demonstrate how education can unite and uplift a community.
Principal, Matt Jones, shared: “It was a privilege to welcome both Minister Gould and MP Linsey Farnsworth into our academy. The government are rightly prioritising the importance of literacy at Key Stage 3 and it was amazing to hear some of our students speak to passionately about the intervention and support they have received at Heanor Gate, which has ultimately allowed them to go on and thrive in their education.”
Paul West, Chief Executive Officer at Spencer Academies Trust, also shared: “We are incredibly proud of the work taking place at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy and the well-deserved recognition it continues to receive. Literacy is the foundation of success, and the Academy’s commitment to developing confident, capable readers is something we are proud of across the Trust. This visit highlights the positive impact of our academies working closely with their communities to deliver lasting change.”
