Sir Martyn Lewis went to R.E.A.L. Education, based in Mansfield, during his visit to the town as part of the News Journal’s fifth birthday celebrations.

A spokesman for the organisation, which has earned an excellent reputation for re-engaging children and young people in learning, said: “We were delighted to welcome Sir Martin, who visited our Alternative Provision School and our Creative Digital Centre as part of his visit.

“He spent several hours chatting to students and staff and we were pleased to have the opportunity to showcase the positive work we do with our students.

“The students commented on how inspired they were by his visit.”

R.E.A.L. is an acronym of the phrase Re-thinking Engagement and Approaches to Learning, which it said outlined that, for some students, success in the education system means something different has to be offered.

Sir Martyn Lewis is pictured with staff and pupils.