Two Dover schools, now coming out of difficult times, have both received warm praise from MP Charlie Elphicke for their efforts to boost education standards.

Dover Grammar School for Boys, in Astor Avenue, and St Edmund’s Catholic School in Old Charlton Road, were both heavily criticised by schools regulator, Ofsted.

The Boys’ school has a newly appointed head teacher, Fiona Chapman, who started in September.

St Edmund’s was last year given an executive board made up of three school leaders in a bid to “steer the school in the right direction.”

The praise was given when the MP visited both schools on Friday last week to speak with students and staff about the future.

Mr Elphicke said: “Both schools have been through difficult times. Like Castle Community Academy in Deal, real improvement has been made.

“Congratulations to the teachers and staff on their efforts.

“I really enjoyed visiting both schools and hearing about the progress pupils are making. I know there are some who seek to rubbish our schools at every turn – they are wrong and it’s clear that we are seeing real improvements.

“A great education is the best way to realise opportunity and the best possible start in life.”