I was delighted to be welcomed to St Michael’s and All Angels in Camberwell this morning and was very impressed with the staff and pupils I met. The school is facing some major changes over the next few years and everyone seemed determined to make it work.

The school was improving, but because of the need for a new building and a joint sponsor it will be gradually closing down and reopening in 2013. This is very challenging as the current Year 7 and 8 will be moving to new schools this September. The staff are making this process as smooth as possible for them and they will be given all the support which they need. Years 9 and 10 will stay to finish their GCSEs and I wish them all the very best with these.

One thing which really struck me was that when we talk about or criticise schools it’s not just a building we’re talking about but the children who make up that school. Schools are a huge part of all our communities and need our support and involvement.