Wiltshire County Councillor Dominic Muns, the portfolio holder for Education, visited Kennet Valley C of E VA Primary School on Monday October 5. Cllr Muns was interested to find out more about what life is like for the children and staff in a small village school in the heart of Wiltshire. Kennet Valley School is situated in the beautiful village of Lockeridge, near Marlborough. It was rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in March 2020.
Cllr Muns met with the co-chairs of the Governing Body – Simon Jones and Lizzie Daley, before having a guided tour of the school site. Cllr Muns met children in each of the 4 classes and talked with them about their work which included English writing and Maths. In the Reception and Year One class he also talked with the children who were cooking and tasting Space Scrambled Eggs! They were motivated to do this after watching footage of Captain Tim Peake having the same meal whilst stationed at the International Space Station in 2015.
The school council, led by Catalina in Year 6, interviewed Cllr Muns. After their session Catalina said, “I was very proud of the whole school council. Cllr Muns was very friendly and good to talk to. He told me how lovely our school was.”
This session was supported by staff member Helen Bushnell who said, “The school council really came into their own with some amazing questions for Cllr Muns. They asked him about his role as a Cllr. They also asked about his childhood and his passions and interests in life. The Year 6 children related well to him because he was educated locally and went to St John’s secondary school. They loved the fact that he wanted to be a racing car driver and that his first job was washing up!”
The school visit ended with a meeting with Emma Russell, Headteacher, where they discussed the next steps for the school and how Wiltshire County Council can best support small schools in the future.
Emma Russell said, “It was such as pleasure to welcome Dominic to the school. We are very grateful that he was able to spend time in our lovely site and with our wonderful children, while being able to discuss the high ambitions we have for the school. A BIG thank you to him. I hope that he will come again.”
Cllr Muns thanked all of the children for taking their time to show him their school. He added, “Seeing children engaged with education, enthusiastic about learning and with a smile on their face is exactly what my role within Wiltshire Council is about. I was bowled-over by the school councillors and their fantastic questions. I wish them all the best in supporting their fellow pupils and their wonderful school over the coming year.”
Kennet Valley School pupils explore space
