A cheering tonic to start the day, that was today’s visit to a local primary school. At 8.30am they began pouring through the gates, children and parents of all backgrounds, colours and creeds, to start another happy day of learning and play, the children so pleased to have arrived.
Visiting the classes in action brought a smile. Universally, at every age up to 11, these young people were attentively enthusiastic to answer the questions fired at them and read the books in front of them and simply have a go. Each class of mixed ability, a high proportion of SEND and other disadvantaged pupils, with many for whom English was a foreign language (29 different languages spoken), worked cooperatively; in a corner perhaps or even out of the classroom a child with special needs receiving necessary one on one attention.
This is like so many primary schools around the country, a great place for children to be and prepare for older life: the main reason being high quality teachers who are fully committed, with a Head Teacher providing clear and positive leadership.
Our education establishments do excellent things, including bringing a smile to the face of visitors. We hear the doom and gloom of election commentators on education and other services “being broken” but they must not be allowed to drown out the extraordinary every- day achievements of those who work so proudly and brilliantly to educate our children.
