AN MP has gone back to school to encourage exceptional pupils to stay in the classroom during their holidays.

Ashok Kumar, the Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, attended a ground-breaking summer school at Nunthorpe School earlier this week.

The summer school is designed to provide extra lessons in holiday time for pupils who show exceptional promise in specific subjects, allowing them to add to the education they receive in term time.

Dr Kumar said: "Nunthorpe School is a school with a first class reputation.

"The summer school initiative reflects the Government's agenda to improve education, and I would argue that the pioneering work of Nunthorpe School will be reflected in other schools within my constituency.

"Children with special abilities and who wish to enhance their studies should not be held back.

"Such an approach to study will, I am sure, help them immensely when they enter and face the challenges of higher education."