MP visits school with a "real buzz"

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert paid a visit to Aldingbourne Primary School on Friday (28 May) to meet the pupils and staff.

It was an opportunity for the school to show why it was ranked "outstanding" across the board in its latest Ofsted report, where it was described as a very welcoming, caring and happy place to be with excellent teaching and learning.

The inspector said that the range of activities for children, such as kayaking and rock climbing, generated a "real buzz" in the school.

During his visit, Mr Herbert met with Headteacher Liz Webster to discuss a range of current issues in education, including the Government's policy on academies and the long-running debate over SATS tests.

Mr Herbert was also given a tour of the school by Year 6 pupils Mia Ancell and Scott Howard and visited the classrooms, computer suite, school garden and adventure playground.

Aldingbourne Primary School is a mixed community school with around 215 pupils aged between 4 and 11.  The school, in Westergate Street, was built in 1975.

Nick Herbert commented: "I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Aldingbourne Primary School on Friday and I'm grateful to everyone for making me feel so welcome.

"I particularly enjoyed the excellent tour from Mia and Scott who were great ambassadors for the school.  I could see, as I walked around the school and talked to the teachers and pupils, why it has been ranked outstanding in its two Ofsted reports.

"I also valued my brief discussion about testing which reinforced my belief in the importance of rigorous but appropriate measures to ensure that standards are being maintained and that children are not left behind."

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. Aldingbourne Primary School is located in Westergate Street, Westergate, West Sussex PO20 3QR.

2. For the website of Aldingbourne Primary School, visit http://www.aldingbourneprimaryschool.co.uk/.

3. For the latest OFSTED report, published in July 2009, visit http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/111762/(as)/125816_328405.pdf.