School head speaks out after attack by Toby Young

The headmistress of a London comprehensive criticised by parents who want to set up their own school has spoken in its defence.

Mandy Golding broke her silence after broadcaster Toby Young and other west London parents attacked Acton High in a campaign to let them open a new "free school" in the area.

Young said he feared Acton High would let his children down and said the school was required to "indoctrinate children".

But head Ms Golding said today that Young had never visited Acton High, which is rated as "good" by Ofsted.

She said: "It feels like the right time to be saying that something very exciting is happening here."

Ms Golding said students did study academic subjects, adding that Acton High's poor reputation was out of date and she expected 60 per cent of pupils to gain 5 A*-C GCSEs within two years.