SECRETARY of State for Education Ed Balls paid a flying visit to two Derbyshire schools today.

He dropped in first to Kirk Hallam Community Technology College, where there were no pupils because of a staff training day.

But members of the school's council were there to chat to him.

Head teacher Peter Hamer took the opportunity to tell Mr Balls the Godfrey Drive school needs a new sports hall.

He said: “We told him of the difficulties in providing space for PE, exams, assemblies and lunch with just one main hall.”

Mr Balls then went to see a new business and computing centre at Bennerley School, in Ilkeston.

He spent time talking to staff and pupils before departing to visit two Nottinghamshire schools.

Mr Balls said: “I try to see as many schools as possible while I am in an area and I was very impressed with what I saw at both and will be speaking to my department about the sports hall problem at Kirk Hallam.”