Education secretary Michael Gove visited a Garston school to see progress on a £4.7million building project.

The MP of Surrey Heath met with staff and students at Garston Manor School and was shown the construction of the new building, which is due to open in September.

He said: "This is a fantastic school, with a great family feel and the students progress is fantastic.

"I have been shown the new building. At the Department of Education we want to provide youth facilities the children deserve.

"We are committed to investing more in building refurbishment, and building new schools for the community that are fit for purpose.

"Because of MP Richard Harrington’s attention to detail, we know what schools to target her in Watford."

The new building will feature new flexible classrooms, as well as new food technology, art, drama and science areas.

New pastoral care units and specialist sensory rooms are also being built, and will allow Garston Manor to better meet the needs of students with special educational needs.

Upon completion the original building will be demolished to make way for play areas, and the school will gain a multi use games area in addition.

The funding, from the government’s Priority School’s Building Programme, which is also seeing a £20million rebuild of Westfield School on Tolpits Lane, and Kings Langley Secondary School.

This is part of a wider investment in Watford Schools, worth more than £50 million, which also includes improvements to buildings of Watford Boys and Girls Grammar Schools worth £1.6million.

Richard Harrington added: "I was really impressed with Garston Manor on my last visit here and asked Michael to come and see for himself some of the great things that they are doing. I’m really pleased that he has been able to see first-hand the great provision we have here in Watford, and meet some of the teachers who are doing such a great job.

Watford Observer:

“I really look forward to the new building opening later this year, and think it will make a huge difference to the pupils”.

The Secretary of State also saw progress of the Watford UTC’s building, on Colonial Way, during his visit to the town. The Watford UTC is due to open in September, and anyone interested in applying can visit www.watfordutc.org.