Good reports for staff and pupils from MP visit

Elizabeth Truss, along with Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker, was given a tour of the facilities and teaching methods at Rastrick High School and Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Day Nursery.

Looking around the high school with head teacher Steve Evans, she was keen to see how lessons were being taught in maths and in the three sciences.

“Looking at the maths and science lessons in this school, it is a fantastic example and informing these pupils about the opportunities available,” she said.

“When you look at other countries like China and Japan, who are the world’s best in teaching these subjects, I am really pleased to hear how classes are being taught to raise children’s marks.”

She said that businesses in technology and engineering were keen to see more pupils with good understanding of maths and the sciences.

“The work being done in the after school clubs and the relationship they have with businesses for work experience is a great example of what can be done,” she said.

Mr Whittaker was also keen to show the work being done at nurseries in the area and was keen to show how Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Day Nursery worked after being rated outstanding in its last Ofsted report.

“She was fantastic,” said Robert Roebuck, director and early years inspector at the nursery. “It was nice for her to come to see the nursery and what we have achieved over the last six years.

“We were able to show her our work practices and she looked at our model for apprenticeships.

“She made a lot of effort to come up and spend time with the parents and the staff. She had a lovely time.”