Nick Herbert visits Yapton School
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert dropped in to see pupils, staff and governors at Yapton Church of England Primary School on Friday afternoon.
He was greeted by pupils Jasmine Cook (11) and Bethany Buckman (11) who took invited guests on a tour around the school.
Nick read from ‘The Lighthouse Keeper's Cat' to a group of pupils before joining staff and governors for an informal gathering.
Guests included Mark Dunn, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's Services at West Sussex County Council, Christina Freeman, County Councillor and Stephen Haymes, Arun District Councillor for Yapton.
Yapton School is a mixed school with children aged between 4 and 11. It is undergoing an Ofsted inspection this week.
This year, the school received the prestigious Artsmark Silver award from Arts Council England. The awards recognise schools that inspire pupils to take part in music, dance, drama or art and design.
Yapton School has an active group called the Friends of Yapton School (FOYS). It raises funds to pay for facilities that cannot be provided by the Local Education Authority.
In recent years, the Friends have paid for new tables and chairs, games, a new piano, improvements to the ‘Wild Garden' and the hiring of coaches for school trips. The first phase of playground improvements, with a trim trail for the juniors, has recently been completed.
To raise money, the Friends organise a range of events such as end of term discos, cake sales and Christmas fayres. They are now hoping to raise enough money to improve an area once occupied by a swimming pool. It is hoped that a ‘quiet area' can be created with seating, shade and planting.
Nick Herbert said: "I had a wonderful time at the school and was only sorry that I could not stay for longer. There's a wonderful atmosphere in the classrooms, and I enjoyed reading to the children.
Mr Herbert added: "I know how hard the head, teaching staff and governors have worked, and I wish them all luck with their Ofsted inspection."
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Notes for Editors
1. For the website of Yapton School, visit http://www.yapton.w-sussex.sch.uk/default.htm.