DAVID Cameron has heaped praise on a Poole school after his surprise visit there before Christmas.

The Prime Minister delivered a speech on the economy to an audience of business people at Magna Academy, formerly Ashdown College of Technology.

The visit, arranged at short notice, included a tour of part of the school.

In a letter to academy principal Richard Tutt Mr Cameron wrote: “It’s incredible the work that you and your staff have put in to turn a failing school into such a successful academy in just over a year – truly inspiring and an example for all schools.

“I was very pleased to be able to give my speech on the economy in such a remarkable academy, and I am grateful to you and others for permitting me to do so.”

Mr Tutt said: “We were delighted by both David Cameron’s visit and his kind words about Magna Academy.

“This is a fantastic reflection of all the hard work of students and staff over the past 16 months which has led to the dramatic transformation of the academy in terms of students’ aspirations, outcomes and behaviour.

“We are still at the beginning of our journey and very much hope the Prime Minister continues to take an interest in our academy as we reach for new heights.”

The Prime Minister was welcomed to the school by students Molly Hankins and Adam Trant.

Adam, 15, had previously told the Daily Echo he would like to be Prime Minister.

He was able to tell Mr Cameron of his ambition to go into politics.

“I asked him about whether it would be better for me to go to Oxford University or London School of Economics and as he walked out of the door, he said that he would recommend Oxford. I couldn’t really argue with his advice on that,” he said.