Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, was given the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare Keyingham Primary School’s new bench ‘open’.
The bench is part of the School Council’s mission to promote the importance of protecting the environment as part of their ‘Green Spaces Project’. This started last year with the School Councillors planting trees at the entrance to their school. To build on this work, the children designed, purchased and installed this bench with help from a grant to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. This is a reminder of the King’s tireless dedication to protecting our planet and aims to inspire the pupils to follow in his footsteps.
Graham was delighted to be asked to celebrate this with the children and congratulated them all on the work they did to install this bench. During their meeting with him, the School Councillors impressed Graham with their knowledge of politics and climate change; with one pupil saying he wanted Graham’s Ministerial job when he grows up.
After speaking to them, Graham marked the end of the school week with a whole school assembly on his work as their MP and the importance of using politics to make a positive difference in the community. He was met with a sea of hands raised by children eager to ask him lots of excellent questions, including the part of his job he finds most challenging and who his favourite MP is.
Headteacher of Keyingham Primary School, Victoria White, commented: “We loved welcoming Graham into our school. The Student Council were so excited to show him our projects and to celebrate our achievements with him. The whole school benefitted from his assembly as seeing a democratic representative 'in the flesh' and learning about the roles and responsibilities he holds helped them to make strong connections with their prior learning of our key British Values. Thank you and we hope to welcome you back again one day!”
South East Holderness Ward Councillor Sean McMaster said: “It was great to have Graham come and visit the School Council at Keyingham Junior School, and assist with the cutting of a ribbon for a new bench which forms a part of the Student Council’s ‘Green Spaces Project’, something the pupils worked very hard on and should take great pride in. Graham’s presentation to the school assembly was very informative and gave the students an informed look into the work of an MP and the inner workings of our democracy”.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said: “It was fantastic to visit Keyingham Primary School and meet their dedicated and enthusiastic School Councillors. They had an idea, worked hard to make it happen, and now the whole school will be able to enjoy their brand new bench at break and lunchtime with their friends. The future of Keyingham is in great hands and I’m sure I met a future MP for Beverley and Holderness during my visit.”
