The new schools minister was shown around the Plume Academy in Maldon today (Monday, 15 November), which is set to expand to accommodate more students.

MP Robin Walker, who was appointed as minister of state for school standards in September, visited the school's Mill Road campus at the invitation of Maldon MP John Whittingdale.

Mr Walker was shown around the campus - which is attended by 600 students from years 7 and 8 - by Carl Wakefield, executive principal of the school and Paul Nagle, chair of trustees.

He also met Richard Scott, finance director, to discuss future funding of the school's expansion.

Mr Whittingdale said: "I am delighted that the minister was able to visit the Plume Academy and to see firsthand the fantastic work that is taking place there.

"The Plume has gone from strength to strength and is now heavily over-subscribed in every year group.

"It is also due to expand further to accommodate families moving into Maldon and is forecast to become the biggest school in Essex, and possibly in East Anglia, in the next four years.

"This will pose funding challenges and I am pleased that the minister was able to hear about these directly.

"As well as the quality of teaching, I know that the minister was also very impressed by the attention paid to special educational needs, students' mental health and the need to maintain safeguards against Covid which have succeeded in stopping any further outbreaks."