An Oldham independent school headteacher has called for a key member of the shadow cabinet to visit.

Tony Oulton, of Oldham Hulme Grammar School, on Chamber Road, has “warmly” invited Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to meet his students.

It comes after the Labour MP admitted having never made an ‘official’ visit to a private school despite being in her role for two years and “having travelled the length and breadth of the country speaking to teachers, school leaders, school support staff”.

Reacting to the matter Mr Oulton said: “That is a real shame, and something I hope she will remedy soon. In fact, I warmly invite her to visit my school.

“She will meet: students who are grounded, well-rounded, articulate, socially aware and big-hearted; brilliant teachers who are responding to students’ complex needs and attentive to their wellbeing as they face the challenges all young people face in a post-Covid, increasingly unstable world.”

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He continued: “Dedicated school leaders whose principal aim is the delivery of the highest quality education for all, irrespective of prior attainment or particular educational needs; support staff who understand the invaluable role they play in school.

“This is not the bastion of privilege she and many in her party believe all independent schools to be. One third of our students are on some form of fee remission, most of them bursaries, a good number 100 per cent-plus, something we are hugely proud of. She would be welcome here any time.”

While visiting the school the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South would also have the chance to meet parents, “the majority of whom are making daily sacrifices to send their children to this school because they want the very best for them”, Mr Oulton added.

It comes as Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that her first budget would crack down on the tax perks enjoyed by private schools, making them pay VAT and business rates.