On 2nd April I was pleased to welcome Nicky Morgan, the Secretary of State for Education, to Amber Valley. We visited David Nieper to meet the staff there and to welcome the Alfreton-based womenswear manufacturer’s sponsorship of Alfreton Grange Sports College, which was granted academy status in March – taking effect from this summer.
The company will work with them to provide support in turning the school around to achieve better results for pupils.
Nicky Morgan said: “I was delighted Nigel invited me to meet the team at David Nieper after he first brought up their ambitious plans for Alfreton Grange Arts College last month in Parliament.
Companies like this one can bring a wealth of experience and skills to pupils and with the commitment of everyone, including governors, schools will aspire to excellence.
It is fantastic news that the college has been approved to become an Academy and I wish David Nieper and local pupils the very best.”
I am hugely supportive of David Nieper’s efforts to sponsor our Arts College. Local business can have a tremendously positive impact by taking on such a role.
I hope this new arrangement will help turn the college around as I am ambitious for every young person in the Amber Valley to have a good education. It was great to have the Education Secretary come to have a look at the plans first-hand.