'Courage' in Soham schools praised

Education Secretary Charles Clarke visited Soham

Teachers and pupils at the Soham school attended by murdered children Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman have been praised for the courage they have shown.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke visited St Andrews Primary in the Cambridgeshire town on Monday to offer his support.

Mr Clarke said he was impressed by the "courage and commitment of everybody here".

The minister met St Andrews headteacher Geoff Fisher and Soham Village College principal Howard Gilbert being before being shown around both schools.

This courage has been very important and enabled them to deal with the past and the challenges of the future

Education Secretary Charles Clarke

Mr Clarke, who became education secretary following the resignation of Estelle Morris, paid tribute to both schools.

He said: "I was very impressed by the professionalism of the headteachers and governors of the schools in dealing with the awful events of the summer.

"The courage and commitment of everybody here, the staff and the school children, has been exemplary."

He added: "This courage has been very important and enabled them to deal with the past and the challenges of the future."

Ms Morris arranged the visit in the summer and Mr Clarke said he had gone ahead with it because he wanted to meet those at school and see if there was anything that could be offered to help the community.

As he was leaving, Mr Clarke was quizzed by budding reporters Anthony Stuart, 11, and Katy Heaton, 12, who asked what he hoped to achieve in his new job and if he had a message for school children everywhere.

He replied that he wanted schools to be places where children would enjoy their days and enjoy learning.