The Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds, visited a Potters Bar school for discussions with teachers and pupils.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds gets a Spanish lesson. Picture: supplied by Dame Alice Owen's SchoolSecretary of State for Education Damian Hinds gets a Spanish lesson. Picture: supplied by Dame Alice Owen's School (Image: supplied by Dame Alice Owen's School)

Mr Hinds visited Dame Alice Owen’s school on April 27 and received Spanish lessons as well as listening to pupils giving a music performance.

Headteacher Mrs Hannah Nemko said: “Mr Hinds spent the afternoon in the company of our students improving his Spanish, discussing the ways in which the curriculum needs to keep up with changes in technology, plans for university tuition fees and the role of education in improving social welfare.”

After listening to a performance by the school’s Senior Strings ensemble he admitted that he regretted giving up the trumpet before he became really good at playing it.

At the end of the school day Mr Hinds spoke to staff about how the demands of teaching have changed over time.

Mr Hinds is MP for East Hampshire, and was appointed Secretary of State in January this year.

He told the school that he thoroughly enjoyed his visit and promised to write to the students he spoke to in order to address further some of the issues they raised.