Axminster county councillor Ian Hall went back to school last week - and was impressed by how Axe Valley Academy had developed in recent years.

Cllr Hall toured the school in his capacity as councillor for the Axminster division and chair of Devon County Council.

Afterwards, Nub News asked Cllr Hall to speak about his visit to the academy.

He said: "I visited the Axe Valley Academy 'Friday 13th' in my capacity as division councillor and chair of Devon County Council to support the Academy Alumni (I attended 1981-1986).

"There was a very calm atmosphere which was filled with both energy and enthusiasm. The students and teachers were as always, so very engaging, polite and thoughtful. I was very impressed throughout the tour and in one lesson, the subject was around 'diversity', which was very interesting to listen to.

"I must comment on how the academy has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and there is evidently a very strong inclusive ethos that everyone has a say and of course a very strong golden thread of 'Caring Leadership' throughout the campus.

"After the tour, I had a meeting with the academy head Laura Jenkins and the excellent PCSO Hayley Widger to discuss a considerable amount of partnership initiatives to support our young people within both the education setting and the wider Axe Valley."

Cllr Halls is planning to visit other schools in the Axminster division in the coming weeks.