PICTURE GALLERY: Secretary of State visits Ballymoney High

Mr. Paterson was visiting North Antrim as guest of local MP Ian Paisley Junior.

The High School was delighted to host him for the Ballymoney section of his visit and to showcase the quality of education and young people in the school, representative of the wider area.

Mr Paterson was welcomed to the school by Mr R Scott (Principal), Rev Dr RFS Poots OBE (Chairman of Governors) and Mrs C Currie (Vice Principal).

Having met and spoken briefly to other senior teachers, he was shown around some classes at work in the Kent Wing, being escorted by Head Girl Hannah Kane and Head Boy Ben Scott.

Paired work was featuring in junior Drama and self portraiture was underway in the Art room, while a wide range of practical and computer design skills were on view in the Technology Suite.

Mr Paterson took time to speak with pupils and observe their skills and was particularly impressed with the standard of design and manufacture in evidence in GCSE Technology and Construction. These vocational subjects feature strongly in the school, alongside the traditional academic subjects and Mr Patterson was aware of the school's broad curriculum provision and high levels of examination achievement over recent years.

Returning to the Library, Mr Paterson and Mr Paisley became involved in a lively question and answer session with some senior Prefects and members of the School Council.

Reasons for becoming a politician, the daily routine of a government minister and hopes and ambitions for Northern Ireland featured in the conversations.

So too did memories of school days past and the continuing plans for our own new school build.

In conclusion, the Head Girl and Boy thanked Mr Paterson for his interest and time in visiting the school and presented him and Mr Paisley with mementos of the morning.