CHILDREN at two secondary schools in Hillingdon had a special visit from London minister for schools, Stephen Twigg MP.

Last Thursday's visit to Hayes Manor School, Wood End Green Road, and Evelyns Community School, Appletree Avenue, Yiewsley, was part of a Government initiative to help raise educational standards.

The two schools are of particular interest as they form part of Hillingdon's Excellence Cluster (HEC).

The cluster is made up of 25 schools which serve areas of the borough with the highest levels of social disadvantage and educational underachievement.

Mr Twigg said: "London is a rich and vibrant city, but one that also presents us with a unique set of challenges.

"It is essential we listen to the concerns of each London borough if we are to raise standards for pupils across the board."

He added: "The Government is committed to raising standards in education for all pupils and I want to work closely with schools and local education authorities to ensure that we achieve this."

Hayes Manor School has recently been allocated more than £3.9 million in Government funding to rebuild a large part of the school.

Headteacher Clive Neathey, 47, said: "We were all delighted to see Stephen Twigg because it provided a rare opportunity to demonstrate that, despite the limitations of our present crumbling buildings, we had been able to provide a modern and innovative curriculum.

"He spoke at length with our students who explored with him what our modernisation programme would mean.

"I believe when he left he was utterly convinced that the decision to invest in the school would provide significant improvements for the students."