I was delighted to be invited to visit Headlands Primary School, which I did on Friday, 23rd October, having last attended in February of this year in one of my final constituency visits prior to the national lockdown.
The Headmaster, Darren Smith, and all others involved – from staff members and governors to parents and pupils – have supported the school to function safely during the pandemic and begin their new academic year successfully.
I was asked to speak to some of the 10- and 11-year-old pupils in Year 6 (who are in a “bubble”), and they asked me some very intelligent questions.
I was pleasantly surprised with just how abreast of current affairs the children were, which is no surprise given the exceptional work the school does with regard to their “Parliamentary Education Service”, which provides pupils with an understanding of our country’s democratic process.
Sadly the School’s annual trip and tour of Parliament, which I help arrange, had to be cancelled this year, but I hope school visits will be able to resume safely as soon as possible.