Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the final report by the outgoing Head of Ofsted which singled out the exemplary leadership of Simon Elliott, headmaster of Forest Gate Community School, what lessons they have learned from the methods adopted at that school; and whether they plan to use this as a model for other schools.

Under the exceptional leadership of Simon Elliott and the excellent teaching of his staff, Forest Gate Community School has been transformed from a poorly performing school to an outstanding one. The academies programme is predicated upon using our best leaders to support other schools to improve.

I am delighted that the school has established a multi-academy trust and is approved to sponsor other schools in the region. Discussions are underway with the Regional Schools Commissioner for the East of England and North East London to identify the schools that would benefit most from Simon Elliot’s leadership and the methods adopted at Forest Gate School.