A TAUNTON school had a parliamentary visitor last week as MP for Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow took a tour.

A group of Year 9s from The Taunton Academy met with Ms Pow on Friday following their visit to parliament last November as part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Take Over Challenge.

Head teacher Jenny Veal invited the MP for a tour in return for the children’s visit to the House of Commons.

Ms Pow said: “It’s great to see them all again, I remember them being a credit to the academy when they came to visit Parliament.

“I can’t believe they are all only 13 as they were so mature and sensible and genuinely interested in their visit to the House of Commons.”

Following the tour, Mrs Veal took the opportunity to highlight some of the changes undertaken at the academy, including her appointment earlier this year.

Mrs Veal has been busy recruiting her own staff as two new deputy heads started this term.

She said: “We were keen for Rebecca Pow to see how the changes that my team have been making are having already an impact. GSCE results improved markedly this year and we have seen an increase in new pupils joining us by 30 per cent this year.”

Ms Pow added: “It’s great to see The Taunton Academy making huge improvements with its new leadership team and headteacher. They have achieved a lot in a short space of time and I am extremely impressed.’’