PROUD pupils and teachers greeted The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall when they visited Uxbridge High School this morning.

The royal couple were at the school, in The Greenway,  to celebrate the tenth anniversary of charity Teach First, which Prince Charles is a Patron of.

The school has taken on Teach First graduates - recruited specially to inspire pupils from low income or challenging circumstances - for the last decade.

Principal Peter Lang told Their Royal Highnesses about the rise in academic success it has seen since the partnership, particuarly in children from low income backgrounds.

The couple were treated to a performance from pupil’s playing drums and youngsters lined the playground to welcome them.

A crowd also gathered outside the gates.

Prince Charles sat in on a maths lesson, while the Duchess of Cornwall heard youngsters reading in a literary session.

Drama students then gave a brief performance of an urban version of Romeo and Juliet and Daniel Pitts, 11 - designated the school’s “poet laureate” - read a poem he had written specially for the occasion.
Unveiling a plaque which marked the anniversary, Prince Charles thanked the school’s for the efforts they had made to welcome him.

He praised the work of those involved with the charity and how far it had come in 10 years, adding:  “To see the the difference it’s making  to children’s lives, as we have seen today, is an enormous encouragement.”

Keep checking our website for more pictures of the royal visit and pick up a copy of next week’s Gazette for full coverage.