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Gove is first Tory education secretary to send child to state secondary school Gove is first Tory education secretary to send child to state secondary school
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Michael Gove has made history by becoming the first Conservative education secretary to send his offspring to a state secondary school. His daughter Beatrice will take up a place at Grey Coat Hospital school later this year. Michael Gove has made history by becoming the first Conservative education secretary to send his offspring to a state secondary school. His daughter Beatrice will take up a place at Grey Coat Hospital school in London later this year.
The Gove family is said to be delighted at the news that the academy – a diverse, highly successful school rated as outstanding by Ofsted – had offered her a place, delivered on national offer day alongside hundreds of thousands of similar decisions delivered to parents across England.The Gove family is said to be delighted at the news that the academy – a diverse, highly successful school rated as outstanding by Ofsted – had offered her a place, delivered on national offer day alongside hundreds of thousands of similar decisions delivered to parents across England.
Grey Coat Hospital was first established in 1698 as a boy's school for the poor of Westminster but became a girls-only school in the 19th century. It is a Church of England comprehensive, with admission based on bands of ability and, in some cases, church attendance and language skills.Grey Coat Hospital was first established in 1698 as a boy's school for the poor of Westminster but became a girls-only school in the 19th century. It is a Church of England comprehensive, with admission based on bands of ability and, in some cases, church attendance and language skills.
Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the education secretary's decision was noteworthy.Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the education secretary's decision was noteworthy.
"We congratulate the secretary of state and his family on their choice. This is a further sign that comprehensive schools in London really are of excellent quality," Lightman said. "We congratulate the secretary of state and his family on their choice. This is a further sign that comprehensive schools in London really are of excellent quality," Lightman said. "We would suggest that all cabinet ministers follow Mr Gove's example and send their children to one of the country's many fine state schools."
"We would suggest that all cabinet ministers follow Mr Gove's example and send their children to one of the country's many fine state schools."
The school converted to become an academy in 2012, although its last Ofsted inspection dates back to 2009. Then the inspectors commented: "The Grey Coat Hospital is an outstanding school. It successfully brings together students from a range of backgrounds and enables them to make good progress to reach exceptionally high standards at GCSE.The school converted to become an academy in 2012, although its last Ofsted inspection dates back to 2009. Then the inspectors commented: "The Grey Coat Hospital is an outstanding school. It successfully brings together students from a range of backgrounds and enables them to make good progress to reach exceptionally high standards at GCSE.
"The excellent care, guidance and support within a strong Christian ethos underpin students' outstanding personal development and wellbeing. Parents express an extremely high level of support for the school.""The excellent care, guidance and support within a strong Christian ethos underpin students' outstanding personal development and wellbeing. Parents express an extremely high level of support for the school."
Its overall results at GCSE and A-level put it in the top 20% of state schools. According to Ofsted data, the students come from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, with the proportion eligible for free school meals equal to the national average of 26%. Its overall GCSE and A-level results put it in the top 20% of state schools. According to Ofsted data, the students come from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, with the proportion eligible for free school meals equal to the national average of 26%.
Gove and his wife, the journalist Sarah Vine, are reported to have chosen Grey Coat as their first preference. The school's location in Westminster is so close to the Department of Education's headquarters that the school is visible from the DfE building. They are also said to have included another state comprehensive, Holland Park, as one of their preferences. Gove and his wife, the journalist Sarah Vine, are reported to have chosen Grey Coat as their first preference. Its location in Westminster is so close to the Department for Education's headquarters that the school is visible from the DfE building. The couple are also said to have included another state comprehensive, Holland Park in west London, as one of their preferences.
One surprise is that Gove's family chose Grey Coat Hospital over the West London free school, of the type championed by Gove and close to where his family lives. But with the west London free school boasting around 10 applications for every place this year, it seems to have managed without the Gove imprimatur.One surprise is that Gove's family chose Grey Coat Hospital over the West London free school, of the type championed by Gove and close to where his family lives. But with the west London free school boasting around 10 applications for every place this year, it seems to have managed without the Gove imprimatur.