ADDINGTON High has been hailed as an "exemplary comprehensive" by a Labour leadership candidate who visited the school this week.

Andy Burnham MP, who is one of four candidates for Labour's top job, spent Monday morning with teachers and students.

They also discussed how the school's hopes for a multi-million rebuild had been dashed earlier this month, following swingeing government cuts.

Shadow health secretary Mr Burnham said: "When comprehensives are at their best they are brilliant, and Addington High is in that category.

"From what I saw during my visit, I consider Addington High to be an exemplary school and deserving of investment.

"What struck me the most was just how much teachers, and in particular the head teacher Tim Davies, focus on the kids.

"They all know each and every student by name, and the youngsters I met were full of good ideas and good questions."

New Addington's only secondary had drawn up proposals for a rebuild or refurbishment costing anything between £16m and £23m.

Staff intended to apply for funding from the national Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme which education secretary, Michael Gove, has now scrapped.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Mr Burnham, whose constituency is Leigh in Greater Manchester, said: "The school building is definitely a little tired, but this is a school where the staff work wonders with what they have.

"It definitely needs new investment, and I will do everything in my power to push for schools like it to be prioritised for funding."

The Advertiser revealed last week how Croydon Council had proposed that Addington High be moved to land close to Fisher's Farm waste recycling site in North Downs Crescent, and reduced from a six to four-form entry.

Mr Davies, head teacher, said he would "fight" any moves to cut down the school's size, but was willing to move to a new site where a complete rebuild would be more affordable.

He added: "We really enjoyed Andy's visit to the school - he made a strong connection with the pupils.

"To receive such a positive view from a leading national politician is a fantastic endorsement of the effort and work of everyone involved with the school.

"Often the amount of ambition and aspiration in New Addington is underestimated."

Jo Tanner, a local authority appointed governor since April, invited Mr Burnham to the school to see the excellent work at first hand.

She said: "The reason I signed up to this school is the sheer passion and leadership from the team, and the positive effect it has, not just on the kids, but on the estate's community as a whole.

"It is the only school in the whole borough that has an on-site autism centre, so kids with learning difficulties can thrive in a mainstream environment.

"Addington High deserves a radical refurbishment and it is a tragedy that the funding has been cut.

"This is a school built in the wake of the Second World War, and in many areas it really shows."