SECRETARY of State for Education Michael Gove MP visited Halesowen  to see Windsor High School's unique business education centre.

The minister met with staff and pupils at the Windsor Business Centre at Trinity Point which offers state-of-the-art facilities for students to work closely with local businesses.

Mr Gove said: "It is vitally important for pupils to understand the importance of business and entrepreneurship and a centre like this is the perfect place for them to learn.

"This business centre is a great example of what can be done to bring business closer to the classroom and help youngsters

"This is a fantastic facility, Windsor High School should be congratulated and it really shows what schools can achieve when given the freedom of academy status."

Headteacher Keith Sorrell was delighted to have the minister's seal of approval on Friday.

He said: "The Windsor Business Centre has been a long term project for Windsor High School, we started in 2004 and together with opening a sixth form it has taken a lot of work and our exam results show it has been successful.

"The centre is unique and is the only one of its kind in the country and having businesses so close to learning is really paying off."

He added: "We were delighted that Mr Gove came to visit and could see how the Business Centre offers students a direct link between the classroom and local business."

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris invited Mr Gove to tour the Windsor Business Centre.

He said: "It is great that the Secretary of State took time to see what is happening on the ground in Halesowen and see the work that Keith Sorrell and his team are doing.

"This business centre is something that the town should be very proud of and demonstrates the great work Windsor High School is doing."

He added: "Coming from a business background myself I can see how much the pupils will benefit from being in such a business friendly environment."

The Windsor Business Centre offers a variety of courses, seminars and qualifications as well as hot-desking areas, gallery space, business pods, boardrooms and a conference space.