Schools minister Damian Hinds MP met with Robin Walker MP to visit two Worcester schools last week to view the progress made by an education trust.

He was welcomed by Worcester MP, Mr Walker, at two primary schools, Cherry Orchard and Northwick Manor, as part of a tour to view the work achieved by Rivers Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).

Also present was the trust's founder, Kate Brunt.

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The tour witnessed first-hand how Rivers MAT was providing sustainable education programs.

The minister's visit began with a discussion at Cherry Orchard Primary School, which involved year 6 students and Mrs Brunt.

The tour highlighted the new facilities in the school's entrance hall, and the minister learned about the trust's curriculum and its effects on student learning and school attendance.

The tour then moved on to Northwick Manor Primary where the Mr Hinds thanked the outgoing headteacher, Sian Williams, and Mrs Brunt, for their contributions to Worcestershire's education landscape.

The minister also participated in a classroom challenge, encouraging a group of students to match their peers at Cherry Orchard in a quiz about Parliament.

Mr Walker, who alongside his position as an MP also chairs the education select committee, expressed his gratitude for the visit and commented on the work done by the trust.

He said: "It’s always a delight to welcome colleagues to visit my schools in Worcester, and I am especially grateful to the new Minister, just weeks after his appointment, for coming to visit two lively local primary schools."

He went on to commend the impact of the Rivers Trust on educational standards, adding that it was "a great example of that [family of schools], built from the bottom up by people with a passion for education.

He continued: "Through my select committee work, I will continue to press the Government on how they support schools and leaders, on fairer funding and on support for SEND, but it is vital to take some time to say thank you to those who have made a massive difference in education, and this was a good chance to do so."