As part of his ongoing programme of school visits across North West Norfolk, James Wild MP visited Rudham Church of England Primary Academy, part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT). He was welcomed by Executive Headteacher Belinda Allen and given a tour by Year 5 pupils, Samuel and Tilly, who shared what they enjoy most about school life.
The visit began with a discussion in Mrs Allen’s office about staff retention, training, and pupil intakes before she outlined the school’s broad curriculum, which combines academic learning with personal development.
On the day, pupils were taking part in Forest School activities such as learning to light fires and plant trees, as part of a programme designed to build confidence, teamwork, and a stronger connection to the natural world. James praised the school’s use of its extensive outdoor space, which supports a wide range of learning and recreational activities.
James then joined maths classes focused on numeracy skills before viewing displays of creative projects, including personal flags representing pupils’ values and interests. He also learned about the school’s initiative encouraging pupils to create personal timelines of work they are proud of, helping them reflect on their progress at Rudham.
The visit concluded with a Q&A session where pupils asked about James’s role as an MP and his work representing North West Norfolk, with topics ranging from the voting age to his campaign for a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Samuel reflected on the experience, saying:
"It gave me a lot of confidence to talk to someone I didn't know, especially about the things in our school that I feel proud of."
Tilly added:
"Rudham helps children become independent learners. Teachers encourage us to give things a try, but are always there to support us when needed."
When asked what they enjoy most about the school, both pupils expressed how Rudham supports them in exploring their aspirations for the future. Samuel hopes to become an actor or writer, while Tilly would like to pursue a career as an artist. They both highlighted the school's inclusive environment and its strong support for pupils with additional needs, praising the nurturing atmosphere that allows every child to flourish.
Reflecting on the opportunity to meet their local MP, the pupils shared that it gave them valuable insight into the role of a Member of Parliament and the chance to ask questions about issues affecting their local community and beyond.
Mrs Allen, Executive Headteacher, commented:
"Mr Wild's visit was a welcome opportunity to showcase how a small rural school like ours operates, and to discuss some of the unique challenges facing education in this area. At Rudham, although we are a small school, we live out our strong Christian ethos, enabling all children to flourish throughout their learning journey.
"Our broad and balanced curriculum supports both academic and non-academic development. One of our highlights is the weekly Forest School sessions, where children engage in outdoor learning, build dens, develop teamwork skills, and enjoy nature. We are fortunate to have access to our extensive school grounds all year round, which greatly enriches the children's experience."
Speaking after the visit, James Wild MP said:
“It was great to visit Rudham Church of England Primary Academy and hear directly from pupils about what makes their school special. The Forest School activities are a brilliant way of building confidence and teamwork, and it was clear how much Samuel, Tilly and other pupils enjoy learning in such a supportive setting.
I was impressed by the dedication of Mrs Allen and her staff in offering a broad education both inside and outside the classroom. Rural schools like Rudham play an important role in our communities, and I’ll continue to champion them.”
