On Wednesday 3rd December I visited St John’s Primary school, where I am a community governor.  I visited a range of classes from reception to Year 6.  I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and the dedication and clear planning from staff that showed in the lessons I watched.   St John’s Primary clearly deserves its growing reputation as evidenced in its recent improved Ofsted report.

 I was also pleased to visit the Sure Start Centre that was holding its Wednesday morning session in the school hall.  I am sure that as more and more local people get to know about the centre, it will be even more bustling than it was when I visited.  I understand that the centre is having a lot of success with its ‘stay and play’ Saturday morning sessions, where parents bring down their youngsters and stay and play with them.  For more information contact: chris.Watson@st-johns-knaphill.surrey.sch.uk 

My last school visit of the day was to Winston Churchill School, where I met Mr Nigel Davis. Following an impressive tour of the school, we discussed the ways in which Winston Churchill School works with the local community, in particular through the Sports Specialism.

One of the questions I often get asked as a councillor and as a teacher is what do I think of certain schools.  Thinking back to my visits to these schools, the best answer I can give in each case is that I would be very happy for my children (when I have some), to go to these schools.