Basingstoke MP Maria Miller has welcomed the opening on 1 September of Everest Community Academy, following the approval by the Department for Education of the application for Academy status.

Everest Community College is the first school in Basingstoke to become an Academy.

Maria said: “ I am very pleased that Everest Community College’s Headteacher and Governing Body decided to take this important step and I am delighted to see the first Academy in Basingstoke opening its doors. Aacademy status offers a real opportunity for schools to innovate and raise standards, and to concentrate on what is best for the school and its pupils.”

Maria added: “ A third of all secondary schools across the country are either now Academies, or are in the process of becoming an Academy. This demonstrates a significant shift in power away from Government and towards teachers.”