AN MP and former pupil at Westcliff High School for Boys praised grammar schools for preparing children for prosperous careers.

Peter Bone, born in Billericay, is Tory MP for Wellingborough, in Northamptonshire.

He was guest speaker at the Old Westcliffians’ Association annual dinner at the school, attended by 70 people.

He tweeted: “Last night speaker at my old school Westcliff High for Boys, last 20 years four pupils have been MPs – three Labour and one Conservative. Grammar schools work!”

The school’s head, Mike Skelly, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Peter, along with Alan Hurst, Derek Wyatt and John Hutton. Many of our pupils go on to eminent careeers in other walks of life.

“It is nice to hear Peter’s time at school was formative and helpful in terms of making a contribution to their confidence and aspiration to make a difference to society.

“All schools endeavour to do that to help encourage students to aspire and be the best they can be to give them confidence to achieve and the quality of education that creates opportunities.”

At the event, association president David Norman presented £5,000 to the school to develop its combined cadet force.