Royal visit at Phoenix High School

Friday March 19, 2010

Phoenix High School welcomed royalty last Wednesday (March 17).

The school in Shepherds Bush was paid a visit by the King of Bafokeng Nation, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi.

Bafokeng is a kingdom in the North West Province of South Africa. It has the biggest platinum mine in the world and a population of around 300,000 people. It is home to one of the stadia for the FIFA World Cup and is where England will be based for the competition.

The King started his day with a trip to Eton School before moving on to Phoenix, as part of a fact finding mission about the education system in this country and an opportunity to observe best practice at close quarters.

The monarch was able to see in Eton College and Phoenix High School two examples of outstanding education delivered to very different groups of pupilss. With fees in the region of £28,000 per year, Eton has a very privileged intake, whilst Phoenix serves an area of relative economic deprivation in White City.

Phoenix is the most successful school in the country in terms of contextual value added which is the statistic that measures pupil progress between years 7 and 11.

The King was given a guided tour of the school by the Head, Sir William Atkinson and was introduced to a number of the school's pupils. He asked Sir WIlliam to describe the key ingredients that make a successful school such as Phoenix.

Cllr Sarah Gore, cabinet member for children's services said: “I was delighted to welcome the King to the borough and to Phoenix. I am certain that the King was impressed with what he saw, and was very engaged in what Sir William had to say about the importance of strong leadership, quality teachers and investment in facilities. I hope that he came away with a sense of what might be done in Bakokeng so as to provide his own people with the sort of outstanding education that is provided at Phoenix."

The King commented: “I very much enjoyed my visit to Phoenix and was struck by the determination that Sir William showed towards ensuring that all his young people reach their potential. The description of the journey that Phoenix has undergone during his tenure was inspiring.”