Conservative Conference 2011: Plans for state boarding school unveiled

Greg Martin, executive head teacher at Durand Academy, addressed Conservative Party delegates at their annual conference as part of Gove’s keynote speech.

He outlined his plans to open a new middle school in London and a state boarding upper school in Sussex for pupils from the middle school to progress on to.

"Children from London’s estates will, for the first time, be given the opportunity to receive a totally free boarding school education, Monday to Friday, equivalent to the best in the state and private sectors," Martin explained.

"We believe that by extending our provision in this way we can provide the consistent support these children, and in fact all children, need to succeed."

Gove used his share of the speech to commend his party’s success in greatly expanding the number of academy schools across the country.

"There are now more than 1,300 academies open," he said. "One thousand have opened in the past year. One million children are now educated in academies.

They benefit from longer school days, smaller class sizes, better paid teachers, more personalised learning, improved discipline and higher standards all round."

Gove also lauded the introduction of the free schools programme, arguing that the new schools will transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children.