KING'S Leadership Academy has been praised by an education expert following a visit to the free school.

Award-winning blogger David Didau, author of the Secret Literacy, said it would be the 'ideal' school to send his children to - if he lived in the area.

He said: "There are some aspects of school life that a jarringly different to ‘normal’ schools.

"Pupils hand in homework to a homework monitor at the beginning of the school day; school begins with every pupil reading in silence in the hall; all pupils line up together in silence before lessons; teachers shake hands with pupils on their way in and out of lessons; pupils chant the school motto before lessons. And they have a school song.

"All this may sound a little stifling but, despite the order and calm, King’s is the least stifling school I have ever been in.

"Lessons are purposeful, but relaxed and children were evidently enjoying themselves."