The Prime Minister visited one of the most improved schools in the country to congratulate them on their success. Charter Academy has become a beacon of excellence in our city and people now refer to it as the ‘best school’ when I talk to them on the doorstep. Charter Academy is part of the ARK schools, which was co-founded by a group of hedge fund managers and businessmen to improve the life chances of children through education. ARK was bought in by the previous head of the school when it was St Luke’s. ARK then bought in Dame Sharon Hallows who has helped transform the school and given some children experiences that they have not had before. Some of the children go horse riding, others go sailing with the Portsmouth Sail Training Trust, this is helping improve educational outcomes as well as skills. There is also a Boxing Academy in their gym so there are plenty of opportunities for children to shine in lots of different ways. The results have gone from 3% five GCSE’s to 72% in five years, remarkable.
I then invited the Prime Minister to have a cup of tea at the Beneficial Foundation, which helps people with learning difficulties to prepare themselves for independent living and jobs. They have a café in the library as well the Beneficial Foundation building in Anson Road. If you are a creative person, they have plenty of craft materials to make cards and other projects. The Prime Minister met some of the students and a couple of members of my team.