SCHOOLS Minister Nick Gibb pronounced himself “very impressed” with the quality of pupils’ reading and knowledge during a visit to three Poole schools.

He visited classrooms, met staff and chattered to pupils at Hamworthy First School, Canford Heath Middle and Poole Grammar.

Sharing lunch with youngsters at Canford Heath Middle, the Conservative Minister of State for Schools quizzed them on their knowledge of subjects as diverse as British politics and the broccoli on his plate.

“One child said it was a tree but another one knew it was broccoli, a superfood that will keep them healthy,” he said. “They have shown a good general knowledge both of European geography and British history which I was impressed by,” he added.

Enjoying his honey roast ham, roast potatoes, broccoli and gravy alongside the minister, Keoni Meadway-Metcalfe, aged eight said: “We were talking about his job and what he does. He’s in charge of behaviour. He’s a lovely man.”

Holly Spivey, nine, said: “He was asking us about politics. I know a bit about politics.”

Mr Gibb was impressed with the federated Canford Heath first and middle schools which have raised standards, with Ofsted rating the first school outstanding and the middle school good.

“These school have really provided youngsters with leadership. The school is going from strength to strength,” he said.

He said the government supported “all schools that are very strong” including the 165 grammar schools and pointed out that over half of all secondary schools were academies or in the process of becoming so.

Touring with the town’s MPs Robert Syms and Annette Brooke, as well as councillors, officers and head teachers, he wished them “all the very best” with the change in the age of transfer the borough is embarking upon.