THE political spotlight shone on a Stourbridge headteacher and his pupils this week when they were invited on stage with Education Secretary Nicky Morgan at the Conservative Party Conference.

Stephen Dunster, headteacher at Redhill School, and a group of pupils were invited to join the minister on stage at the event after she made a recent visit to the newly-converted academy in Junction Road.

Stourbridge MP Margot James, a governor at Redhill, said: "Of all the hundreds of schools Nicky Morgan visits she chose Redhill to join her on the platform of the conference on Tuesday.

"Stephen Dunster and four pupils had top billing and won a standing ovation. It was fantastic.

"They all did so well. I was just so proud of them and the whole school."

She said the minister had been impressed by many pupils and teachers during her visit on September 22 to the school which she described as "really inspirational".

At the conference, the youngsters from Redhill also met Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and England rugby legend Lawrence Dellaglio, who went on stage before them to talk about his foundation which helps young people excluded from mainstream schooling.

Ms James added: "Lawrence was very good but he didn't get a standing ovation, I was delighted that Redhill did receive one."