Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls MP, visited City College at the invitation of Simon Burgess and Nancy Platts, Labours candidate for Brighton Pavilion. Local headteachers and chairs of governors were invited to

attend a reception where they heard about Co-operative Trust Schools and they had the opportunity to meet the minister informally. Afterwards a Labour Party fundraising dinner was held with college students providing the catering. 

"It was a very worthwhile evening. I am particularly keen on Co-op Trust Schools where the school becomes a community asset and pupils strongly identify with the schools co-op priniciples helping enthuse them about their education. It was good for so many local leading educationalists to attend. The evening was finished off well with a sell out fundraising dinner that was wonderfully catered for by the students" said Simon.