Graham was Swinemoor Primary School’s guest for the Outstanding-rated school’s end-of-year’s assembly.
Graham gave a speech praising the great works done by the school’s inspirational head, Leon Myers, who was awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours list.
The long-serving MP for Beverley and Holderness praised the exceptional character of the pupils at Swinemoor Primary, alongside their hard work. He is a long-standing admirer of the school and spoke to its Meeting of Masterly Minds earlier this year.
Graham presented prizes to pupils, including certificates of appreciation from him personally. He is a great supporter of the school, which Mr Myers has taken from a ‘Satisfactory’ rating in 2007 to its current rating of ‘Outstanding’, granted at inspections in 2017 and 2023.
He took the opportunity to congratulate the school in Parliament, congratulating Mr Myers’ leadership and praising the school’s ethos built on endeavour, competitive spirit and resilience.
Graham joined the school’s Meeting of Masterly Minds, led by Deputy Head Jane Sharp, in January to see the school’s commitment to encouraging intellectual curiosity among pupils.
As a former Chairman of the House of Commons Education Committee from 2010-15, Graham is a great champion for schools in Beverley and Holderness. In this academic year he has visited Inmans Primary School in Hedon, Patrington Primary School, Withernsea High School and Beverley Sixth Form in addition to two visits to Swinemoor.
Graham has long been a strong advocate for Special Educational Needs and Disability education since his time as Chairman of the House of Commons Education Select Committee. He has recently launched a campaign, Fair Funding, to pressure the government to increase the East Riding’s funding for SEND from £968 per pupil, the lowest in the country. If the East Riding were funded at the same level as Hull, children with SEND would be funded to the tune of an extra £300 per pupil. Graham is working with Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and the Wolds) and Cllr Victoria Atkins (East Riding Cabinet Member for Education).
Graham said, “We’re lucky to have so many great schools in Beverley and Holderness and Swinemoor Primary really is an amazing place.
“That’s thanks to Leon Myers and to see his name on the King’s Birthday Honours list is just what he, and the school, deserve.
“It was a pleasure to present prizes at the school and, further, to raise the great work being done by all staff in the House of Commons.”
Leon Myers MBE, Head Teacher of Swinemoor Primary School said, “Graham has been a supporter of our school for many years and I’m delighted he was able to speak at our end-of-year assembly and present prizes to some of our most outstanding pupils.
“It will doubtless be a memory our children cherish for many years to come and I couldn’t be more proud of all pupils I have the pleasure to teach at Swinemoor Primary.”
