Nick Herbert goes to school to celebrate 'Red Nose Day'
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert joined pupils, staff and governors at St Mary’s Primary School in Pulborough on Friday afternoon (13 March) to celebrate Red Nose Day.
On his arrival, Mr Herbert was given a tour of the school by pupils Jack Carter, Karis Curtis, Emily Heaseman, Max Dodd and Megan Tebbutt who were all dressed in bright red outfits to mark the occasion.
During the tour, Mr Herbert stopped off in a language lesson and pupils rose to a challenge set by the MP - to translate "Red Nose Day" into French.
Mr Herbert also met with the governors to discuss a range of current issues facing the school, and he presented headteacher Alyson Heath with a card to celebrate her birthday.
St Mary's CE Primary School is a mixed, church aided school with around 250 pupils aged between 4 and 11. It was built in 1972 and has a large hall, IT suite, two playgrounds, playing field, heated outdoor swimming pool, wildlife area and orchard.
A recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2008, found that the school was "outstanding" overall and the Inspector concluded that pupils "make exceptionally good progress in all aspects of their learning and personal development".
The school has already been awarded Bronze and Silver Eco-Schools certificates and is working towards the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.
After the visit, Mrs Heath commented: "The children were delighted to show Nick Herbert around their school. Mr Herbert was thrilled to see how all the children were using the grounds to enhance their studies, but especially the youngest children who plant their own vegetables, watch them grow and then make exciting recipes with them, including pumpkin and vegetable soup. Mr Herbert commented on how wonderful the children looked as they were all dressed in red and had amazing hairstyles, all in aid of Comic Relief."
Nick Herbert commented: "I really enjoyed my visit to St Mary's Primary School on Red Nose Day, and particularly being shown around by the school prefects.
"There is, of course, a serious purpose behind Red Nose Day and it was great to see the children enjoy raising money for good causes."
Mr Herbert added: "I congratulate Mrs Heath and her team on the outcome of their recent Ofsted inspection. It's a considerable achievement for the school to be judged ‘outstanding'."
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. The school is located in Link Lane, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2AN.
2. For the website of St Mary's Primary School, visit http://www.st-marys-pulborough.w-sussex.sch.uk/default.htm.
3. For a copy of the recent OFSTED report, published in December, visit http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/102907/(as)/126048_315411.pdf.
4. For the website of Red Nose Day, visit http://www.rednoseday.com/.