Mr Brown takes a look into the borough's educational future

1:48pm Thursday 4th November 2004

THE CHANCELLOR of the exchequer swapped parliament for a primary school this week.

Gordon Brown was invited to officially launch the newly transformed Downe Manor primary school in Kingshill Avenue, Northolt on Tuesday.

He said: "I congratulate everyone at Downe Manor on the opening of this new building and on the school's excellent academic performance.

"The creation of this impressive building which will be a hugely improvedlearning environment for the teachers and students and be at the heart of the Ealing community is thanks to the tireless work of the headteacher Elizabeth McAllister, Stephen Pound MP, the school governors, the local education authority and all those who have been involved in the Ealing Schools Partnership."

The school, which is now housed in new state-of-the-art accommodation, is the second primary school in Ealing to unveil its new facilities paid for by Private Finance Initiative cash.

It is one of four schools to benefit from £33 million of PFI investment.

Elizabeth McAllister, headteacher of Downe Manor primary, said: "When I first talked about inviting Gordon Brown to the opening of Downe Manor I don't think anyone thought it was possible.

"However all the hard work paid off and the morning was a wonderful and unforgettable experience for the school and all our guests."